Unlike other outdoor seasons, i didnt play much tennis and played even less number of players. basically i played tennis samurai Jack and may be once or twice another friend.Added to that i caught some viral infection (or bacterial for all i care) and it hurt my cardio. I couldnt last more than 3 games on Saturday when Jack invited me to play him and a colleague.I tried to hit with another friend on sunday and that lasted even less time.
I was contemplating pulling out of the monday draw for sometime before i realized that i had some time to kill. So i thought i might as well show up and swing fearlessly with out worrying about the results.
Originally myself and jack are on different parts of the draw and arent scheduled to face each other. However some last minute adjustmens to the draw meant that myself and Jack were going to play each other at prime time.
I started out with lefty Mike. I won the toss and chose to serve anywayz. Since this is a 7 game match, by serving first, i can serve 4 games as opposed to my opponent who can only serve for 3 games. Even in the event, i lose my service game once, i can still keep the match close because i can serve 3 more times. For reasons i cant explain, my serve clicked pretty well. we went with serve until i lead 2-1 . I broke mike's serve to go up 3-1 and then held again (on a deuce game) to make it 4-1. Mike also appeared a bit rusty and in the end it was a comforatble 5-2 score for me.
I have no idea how i managed that score line considering that i got so gassed out at times that i stopped chasing the balls. Also i was coughing too much and definitely needed to dial it down a bit.
My next match was with Ding. Despite leading 30-0 on my serve, i ended up losing my serve. I however broke him back immediately to make it 1-1.I held and then broke him to go up 3-1. I held my serve again to make it 4-1. Ding held and i got the last game on my serve for 5-2.
Ding made me run side to side , front to back. Already running on empty tank, this left me even more out of gas and options.
Both with Mike and Ding, i was able to serve very well. In fact , today is the most number of aces/service winners i ever hit during indoor season. Especially i dialled in on the Ad court serve. From that side , i was able to hit down the T or Wide with relative ease. My forehand wasnt working well and back hand is below average. Simply put the score board doesnt say the whole story.
Finally, the match every one was waiting for. me and Jack squaring off on Opening night. This is what our fans are looking for ever since me and jack confirmed our entries into the ladder. Jack is always a tricky opponent for me regardless of H2H (head to head) record. Because we play each other a lot, things that i do which pose challenges to some opponents, have minimal impact on Jack. For example, Jack can read my serve better than any other played i played against. He also knows the spots i attack often (eg:backhand corner) and he probably knows my weakness.
I won the toss and started the serve. My goal was to win atleast 3 games. Walking into this match, i lead the pack with 10 games, Jack had 6, Mike has 7 and Ding had 5. If i can win 3 games then results of other matches doesnt matter and i will top the group--ensuring a 7pm slot the following week.
Like most matches between us, this match went on predictable lines until 2-1. Though there were some interesting rallies , in the grand scheme of things, neither of us did anything different. I kept the ball in play and deep in the middle trying to keep Jack away from Service line area. Jack does most of the damage when the opponent leaves balls hanging around midcourt close to the service box area. He can go cross court or Down the line or dropshot or hit an approach shot. Basically at that point, he dictates the rally and often it is a short rally.
I broke Jack's serve to go up 3-1 and then held mine to keep it 4-1. At this point, i knew that i got enough points to lead the group. I decided to be aggressive on the last two games and not worry about points. I broke Jack's serve to make it 5-1. I was too casual on the last game(my service game) and went down two break points. Two good serves bought it to Deuce. I couldnt get a good serve on my last game and Jack played a good point to draw me to the net and then hit a good passing shot. I didnt even bother to chase as by this time i am spent.
In the end, i won 15 points (5 each against Mike, Ding and Jack) and likely to move up. Ding finished at 11 while Jack and Mike tied at 8 with Mike owning the breaker.
I am impressed with the way i played and was happy with the results but at the same time the underlying issues arent resolved yet. My forehand/backhand didnt work well. My movement wasnt good but i hope once i recover sufficiently from my illness, i will be alright over there. Just waiting to get better to start the training.
I cant be too harsh on myself. It is just the begining of the season. Given the miserable outdoor season i had, i am really not expecting to make a dent at the top of this ladder. I will be happy if i maintain a presence at the top of the ladder. Hopefully i will do better next summer and add enough ammunition to make a good run next year. For this season, my goal is little tempered.
So it is a decent start for the season.
I am not even sure if i play next monday. It depends on the weather (and fitness/health). if there is oppurtunity to play outdoor, i would rather play outdoor and save some $$. Jack is not sure if he would return next week either. It is unknown at this time if he will play at 7 pm or 0830pm next week. Jack loves the 7pm time slot and may return if he stays at 7pm.
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