I knew today would be a tough day. I was determined to play more aggressive no matter what. I needed to prove to myself that I could play the way I'd been practicing. It was a little warmer with more humidity than we've had all week, which would play to my advantage. Judy is a very nice girl so we had a fun, fair match. We each held our serves to start, then she broke me to go up 4-2. I was able to hang on and eventually break back, only to be broken at five all, with her serving for the set at 6-5. I broke again to take the set to a tiebreaker. She went up 2-0 in the breaker. I won the next three points to go up 3-2. I was able to keep the lead and win the tiebreaker 7-4. We were both moving each other on the baseline and sneaking in to the net when possible. I was glad to have the first set under my belt. The second set started close, but I was able to break early and held on to win the second set 6-3. I was so pleased with the way I played from start to finish. I finally felt like I did everything right.
Trying to beat the possible rain, the back draw finals were scheduled for 4:00. Not my choice, but I knew I was fit and it didn't matter. In fact I thought it would work to my advantage. Bob and Ginny Panner, former Hidden Dunes residents and current Hidden Dunes winter guests, came out to see my morning match against Judy. It's always nice to have a supportive gallery! Phil and I had a nice lunch with them on the porch of the clubhouse after my match. I still had another match to play, so I didn't want to relax too much just yet. Bob and Ginny needed to get back to beat the traffic home, so we said our goodbyes, and I came back to shower and get ready for the finals. I was playing another friend of mine, Marianne Caplan from Harrisburg, Pa. I knew if I stayed on track with my game plan from the morning it would work again this afternoon. I served and returned very well, and was strong from the baseline, not allowing her to get to the net, which she prefers. I won 6-3, 6-1. I finished 5th.
I am most proud of the way I rebounded from my loss on Tuesday. I played smarter with each match, and got a better feel of how I need to play on grass to be successful. With Phil's constant encouragement and much needed constructive criticism, I feel like I can compete with any one here. I will continue my hard work both on and off the court to get ready for the hard court nationals in September in California.
4 comments:
Congrats Myke on your strong finish on the grass courts. Did you feel the ghost of Big Bill Tilden spectating from above at his home courts?
You did a good job on your blog describing the unique grass court nationals.
Please tell Coach Phil that I will hope to meet up with you two this August. And mention when we begin to work-out together that he's got to move-it, move-it; he's got to move-it, move-it!
Again, nice job at the tournament Myke!
Armistead
Good finish Myke. We must have a lunch when you get back.
Oh, Myke, I'm so proud of you! I checked your blogspot before I went to bed last night (early as usual) and you hadn't reported in yet. Your heading for Thursday sounded as if you had lost and I was afraid you had. Your write-ups are so great. I read about your first match and agonized over every point. Then the next match wasn't so emotionally draining to read. Congratulations!! You are the greatest. Good coaching Phil.
Love you, Tillie
Myke, congratulations on being able to follow your gameplan and prosper. Reading your blog makes me want to be a better tennis player too and I look forward to more posts in the future.
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