Congratulations on the win Lou. A well played match, by both of you.
I was there in person to bet against Barton, but couldn't make it in time for the start, so asked Mikey if he could place a bet for me until I got there. I think we were all disappointed at the refusal of all the side bets.
I ended up playing a couple sets with Mikey a few tables away, so I did not watch the match very intently. However, I do recall John making a comeback. When the score was within one game around 6-5 or thereabouts, I thought John was going to get the win. The thing I look at when watching gamblers (that can play, which you both can) is their demeanor. At this stage in the match, John had a ton of energy, had a totally focused and determined look on his face. He couldn't wait to come to the table and shoot.
At this same time, what I noticed in your face was nervousness, and uneasiness. I don't mean this as an insult at all, but it almost looked like you wanted to cry. Again, this was just my observation from a couple of tables away. You had a completely different look on your face then when I first watched the match in person, when the score was something like 3-1 or so. I left after this point, and thought for sure the match was going to turn, due solely to the body language of you and John. I don't know if the cameras picked up on this or not.
All that said, you did real good to come back from that pressure of having a big lead, and then watching it dwindle to almost nothing. You worked through that uncertainty, and persevered.
One of the strongest things I've read on here I think was from Geno. He said something to the affect of "you can't practice for the finals of a tournament unless you are in the finals". Basically it means you can't practice a situation you have never been in, and you don't know how your body is going to react the first time you get in that situation (finals of the tournament, or a huge grudge match where the guy comes back on you, in this case).
So congratulations again on a well played match to you both, and to you Lou, for overcoming the various pressures, both internal and external, during the match.