Burning River Classic.
I got to Cleveland on Friday evening. The first round matches were on Sunday. I watched some of the qualifying matches on Friday and Saturday. I had a practise on the courts aswell.I had another qualifier and drew Sarah Kippax in the first round. She has been playing really well recently. She had played well through qualifying aswell. I was focused for the match and made a good start. Sarah made a lot of mistakes and I ran away with it abit. I was pleased to win in 3 and be fresh for my quarter final match against Omneya.
I was really up for my match against Omneya. I thought it was my turn to win as i'd lost the last few times. I made a great start and was dominating the middle well and keeping pace on the ball. I was being really expressive and going for my shots. I lost the second game. She started moving well and playing her shots. I think I lost my disapline to the back and was pushing the ball around abit too much instead of dominating and showing her what could do. I won the 3rd playing abit better and was really up for the 4th. I was going after it and played well. I moved her around and played my shots on the volley and kept the ball deep and then took it in when I had opportunities. I won the 4th 11-5 to win 3-1. I was really happy with my performance but looking forward to my match against Natalie Grainger in the semi tomorrow.
The day of the semi I was feeling good. No stiffness and not feeling any pressure for the match. I practised with Alison in the morning and then went back to the house and chilled out for abit before going to the club about 5.30pm for my match. I did a good warm up and we went on court on time at 6pm. I made a good start playing my shots and moving well. I went 9-6 up and then Natalie stopped hitting tins and waited for her opportunities more. I was trying not to force it and probably went abit negative. I lost that game 11-9 and was disappointed with losing all those points without reply. The second game wasn't better than the 1st. I was playing well and at abit of a loss of what to do. Natalie was reading everything. Even though it was no where near easy for Natalie the 2nd and 3rd were similar. I lost the 2nd 11-6, 11-8. Disappointed to lose but I thought I played ok. I could have attacked more and gone for my shots.....next time.
My flight was booked for the next day and so no hanging around before getting home and playing in the British Nationals next week.