World Open
I played my first round in the long awaited world Open on Tuesday the 14th October. I played Annelize Naude from Holland. I hadn't played her for a while and so was looking forward to the match.When the match came I was more nervous than I thought I would be and the first 2 games were a tie breaker. I was playing well enough to win and was 2-0 up but not aswell as I wanted to be playing. I played abit better in the 3rd and managed to get a win 3-0 and was pleased to be off in 3 games.
Wednesday was a rest day and so I went down for a hit at the centre and to watch a couple of the matches. I felt quite relaxed and was feeling good for my match against Omneya. I know it will be tough against Omneya as on seed I am 8 and she is 9. On this months rankings I am 9 and she is 7.... very tight and the matches between us are normally close.
Thursday came and I felt abit nervous but ready to play. I had a good practice and a good day waiting for my match which wasn't until 5pm. I had a good warm up and was ready. I made a good start, the 1st game was very long. I was up in the game then I was down and it went on like that until the end of the tie breaker. I eventually won it 23-21 and was pleased with my mental toughness to keep pushing on when it was long and hard. The second was a similar pattern. I was down and got it all the way back to 10-10 and then lost it in another tight tie breaker 19-17. The third was tight aswell. I was up yet again 10-6 only to let the lead slip and just win the game in the 3rd concecutive tie breaker 14-12. I was getting frustrated at this point because I knew I was playing well enough to get myself in good positions in the games but then not having enough conviction to finish the games off. However, I was 2-1 up and feeling good to go on from there. Unfortunately it wasn't the be. I lost the 4th 11-6 and the 5th 11-7. I made great sarts in both the games but then again couldn't continue it! I am very disappointed and need to re-access my situation and change a few things round before Qatar in a week and a half's time. I need to make the next big push for the top 8 and things need to change abit for that to happen. Onwards and upwards.....