What a Match!

Practice courts are hard to come by, but luckily another American, Susie Brown, had one booked for 8 yesterday morning. We got a good hit in, the took the shuttle to the courts where Phil would be playing. The courts were very close to the water and as the morning went on, the winds picked up. The Aussie Phil played was good, but not unbeatable. Phil got a slow start and quickly lost the first set 6-1 in short time. He has really been struggling in singles with his movement and confidence on the red clay. He hung in there with better energy and little help from his opponent to win the second set 6-4. I was a nervous wreck. The third set was very tight. His opponent even had two match points at 6-5...luckily he double faulted on one and Phil hit an awesome return that skidded off the sideline on the second. I thought I was going to be sick. In the tie breaker, Phil played very well, went ahead 4-2 before his opponent fought back. By then there were a few more spectators besides Jim, Trish and myself and they were Americans as well, which helped. Phil pulled the breaker out 7-5. I was exhausted!

We came back to Font de Sa Cala, had some lunch, then I had to get myself ready and mentally focused to play. My 4:30 match finally went on a little after 5. By the late afternoon the winds had died so that was good. After watching and cheering all week, I was so ready to play! I came out strong, moving well and controlling the match. I won the first 16 points to go up 4-0. I lost the next game, then rolled on to win 6-0 in the second. Andrea hit a ball that I liked and I was able to do what I wanted with my shots. I was happy to have a match in the books.

Phil and I are both off of singles today, but I have doubles at 3:30. Phil and Tom don't play at all. We're getting ready to have a hit, then breakfast. Today will be a laundry day and watching matches before my doubles this afternoon. We love the place we're in and having a great time. The wi fi at the hotel was not working last night. There were players with computers everywhere asking the same question..."are you on?" Can't wait to see what today brings.