Monte Carlo Classic
After arriving on Tuesday I stayed to watch qualification and waited for the draw to be done. Lauren Siddall was pulled out of the hat and we were playing the next day (wed). I played well, I didn't take the match lightly and won 3-0. Now I play Vanessa Atkinson from Holland. I lost last week in New York 3-0 but was ill with a cold so I'm hoping for better this time.In the match against Vanessa I played well overall. The first wasn't good from me. I made alot of errors and the rallies were short. In the second I tried to get a better length and former world number 1 and world champion was starting to hit the tin more. I knew if I could stay in there I was in with a chance. I won the 2nd which was close 9-7 and after that felt really good. My short balls were going in well and I won 9-1, 9-5 to take the match 3-1. I played really well and am happy to have got my first win over the world number 8 and looking forward to the semi-final against Natalie Grinham now.
I have tried to stick to the same patterns on the days i've been playing. The matches are all in the evening so it makes it easy to practice, eat, rest and play. Hopefully i'll have the same sucess tonight against Natalie as I have done so far in the tournament! Matches start at 6pm and i'm the 2nd semi final on.
Again in this match I didn't make a good start. I lost the first two games 9-0. I didn't move well enough and to be honest I was a little nervous that I was going to lose 27-0 after the 2nd game. I played much better in the 3rd. I got mad and ended up hitting the ball harder and this made my movement quicker. I lost taht game 9-6 but played much better. Maybe if i'd started my game at that pace it would have been different. However, I haven't played Natalie in over a year and a half so it's good to get experience and hopefully I can do better next time. Next touraments are in America at the end of Jan. See www.squashsite.co.uk for more info.