"David and I have known each other for years," Wyant said. "I hadn't beaten him since we played at Nationals when I was twelve. So it's always exciting to play him."

Displaying incredible hustle that found him in the air one moment and close to the floor the next, Wyant held on to win the first game that seemed to last longer than the previous eight matches combined, 15-13. The high point came in the form of a Wyant spin and backhand that left the Amherst entourage visibly amazed and McNeely banging his racquet in frustration.

As play progressed, McNeely became increasingly overwhelmed. He began the match in high spirits, amusing the crowd with comic commentary between serves, but the third game found him screaming angrily at himself after missed balls. Wyant, though obviously tired, seemed to only get more comfortable as the match progressed.

He won the final two games with relative ease, 15-5, 15-3.

Wyant downplayed the victory, pointing to McNeely's disappearance down the stretch.

"He isn't in the greatest shape right now," he said. "I've definitely seen him play a lot better in the past."

But in reflecting on the importance of the match as a whole, Bajwa wasted no time highlighting Wyant's performance.