12^th Match with Marty

5/9/09  Saturday  1:00P.M.

Chico Racquet Club

Score:  2-6, 2-6

 

I don’t know why but I left this match feeling very disappointed.  I guess it’s that thing about winning again, but frankly through the first set I wasn’t thinking or caring about winning at all.  I was just focusing on strategy.  And I was constructing points beautifully!

 

I really played very well throughout the 1^st set.   I was totally dictating the play.  I was setting up points like a madman.  I was jumping all over Marty’s serve at times and getting up to the net at will.  I just wasn’t finishing points to win games.  I wasn’t able to capitalize on what I was creating.  I remained in good humor throughout the 1^st set.  I didn’t get upset with myself.  Basically, I was just happy I was getting myself into the position to finish points.  And it wasn’t that I didn’t execute on all of my opportunities because I did finish some and that was nice.

 

What I really liked in the 1^st set was how I was able to push Marty around.  I was hammering some ground strokes from both wings that really had some penetration to them.  I could see this very clearly with Marty’s response.  He was returning late and consequently giving me short balls to step up on.  I think this is the first time in any match that I have overtly dictated play by hitting such penetrating shots.  The match was worth it just from that standpoint alone.  I have been wanting to do that for a long time.

 

I think my disappointment stems more from the 2^nd set where I seemed to lose my concentration towards the end of the set.  A big factor for me here was the sun.  It had moved to a point where I had to adjust my ball toss and I never seemed to figure this out.  After serving all I saw was sun streaked images in my eyes for a few seconds.  This really seemed to upset my rhythm and focus.  Marty started jumping on some of my weak serves and put me on the defensive for the first time in the match. And then in the last couple of games some of my ground strokes self destructed! I was hitting everything out of the court either long or wide.  Also, I believe in this 2^nd set I stopped coming to the net as much.  I’m not exactly sure why, but it probably had to do with what I have just mentioned.

 

After the match Marty confessed to me that I had dictated the play so much that  he had to give up his plan of trying to get up to the net.  He concurred with me that I had really played well, but didn’t win the key points that mattered and that was the difference since many of our games went to deuce various times.

 

All and all there’s some disappointment, but in general I’m happy that I was able to hit some penetrating ground strokes that really helped me to dictate play. That part was really beautiful.  

A few side notes:

 

1.         My closed stance footwork for the forehand is coming along in matches.  I’m still having to think about it some, but it’s getting there.

 

2.         Through a set and a half I was serving quite well and bending my knees.  No double-faults in either set.

 

3.         I was also bending my knees well and staying down through my follow-through in my ground strokes.

 

4.         I noticed I was adjusting my grip more towards a semi-western for high bouncing balls on the forehand side.

 

5.         I noticed I was holding the extreme end of the racquet handle with my pinky almost coming off of the butt cap for my kick serve. Better wrist action and  a higher bouncing ball seemed to result.

 

6.         I seemed to miss too many points moving forward up to the net.  I’m thinking I was standing too tall on these shots that I missed. 

 

7.         Also, I think I may be starting to move forward too late in some points.  I may be hesitating a little before taking off up to the net and consequently I am having to hit more difficult volleys and half volleys.  I wish I could see myself on video in a match like this to know more of where I am on the court during points.

 

8.         I am still having trouble with shorter balls that I am taking just inside the baseline.  I keep hitting them long.

 

9.         I had absolutely no awareness of big points.  (I don’t know.  Maybe this is bad.)  I played them like any other point.  I was going for my shots and playing loosely.  I had absolutely no nerves today throughout either set.