#41

It’s taken me a while to post this evening, even though Phil called around 4:00 with his results. I guess I’ve been savoring the victory.

They played a very good team in the finals. Fred Robinson was 1/2 of the duo that beat Tom and Phil in the finals of the indoors in Minneapolis...(I wanted a little revenge from that loss) Fred’s partner this week was Mark Meyers. He won the singles earlier today and one point early in his career he was ranked 70th in the world on the pro tour. These guys are good. This tournament had by far the largest number of players and deepest talent of players.

In the first set Fred and Mark were on fire, banging winners at will. In short time Phil and Tom found themselves down 0-5. Oh boy. Then they won a game. Then another. And before you know it Phil and Tom came back to win the first set in a tiebreaker.

The second set got away from them  and lost it 6-2. On to the third set....

The opponents were serving at 3-5, and love-40...triple match point for Phil and Tom.  The guys couldn’t get the break for the win. Then they found themselves down 5-6 after having at least a half dozen match points.  The match ultimately went to a third set tiebreaker and finally won it 9-7 in the breaker.  Yikes I’m sort of glad I wasn’t there to see it in person. Sounds like one of those matches that my nerves would have made me lose my mind.  But, I was oh so happy when Phil called from the court with the results!

After a quick shower and rush to the airport Phil is on his way home late tonight.

I know Phil is disappointed and frustrated in his singles results this year.

But I posed the question to him...if someone, looking into the future, had told you on January 1, 2018 that you would play doubles in all four nationals and you were going to win two of them and get to the finals of the other two...would you consider that a successful year?  You bet. And he did. And he does.

Now we go back to the practice court and start getting ready for the next ones...”we” meaning me too.
Can’t wait!