Pummeled. That is the only way to describe our first set today in the semis vs. Landsberg-Manta (SWE/SUI). We got pummeled 6-1. Sander Groen (NED) and I got off to a good start in the second though and at 15-30 on Landsberg's serve in the second game, the linesman helped out by calling his first serve out which very, very possibly was an ace. He served a second serve and we after a few shots, Sander took a swipe at a volley and hit it long, but the chair umpire thought that he had nicked the ball with his racket, so we got the point and broke serve on the next point. Landsberg the Viking vehemently argued the "touch" ruling and looked like he might ram the umpire's chair. The match changed from that point and we started playing much better and went on to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. We've got Luxa-Skoch (CZE) in the final tomorrow. Next Day:
I've played Luxa-Skoch (CZE) three times before and each time I've lost the first set against them 6-1. Today was no different. They are great returners and always put lots of pressure on their opponents service games. Sander and I regrouped in the second though and got up an early break, 3-1. They broke right back to get back on serve and then we broke again to go up 5-3. We got down 0-30 on my serve, but hung in and scrapped out the second set 6-3. We got in trouble again on my serve at 2-3 in the third
set and the game
went to eight deuces. We saved five break points, but couldn't convert on the two game points we had. Skoch, playing the deuce court, had been all over my serve the whole match (although come to think of it, Luxa, in the ad court, was pimp slapping my serve too) and was torturing me with great returns cross court and down the line. I'd been holding off Luxa with some big first serves and some scrappy volleys, but on the sixth break point I gave him a good look at a second serve and he slapped a return at my feet and I missed the half volley. We came right back and broke Skoch on five points and
regained the
momentum. Sander served a great game to hold to 4-4; they were having a little more trouble at times with his funky, lefty mojo. I battled to hold to go 5-5 after being down 0-30. We broke to go up 6-5; Luxa poached on my return on break point, but couldn't quite chase down the return. After three crazy, long points all ending on lobs getting over our heads, we got broken and went to a tiebreaker. We were on serve until Sander hit a great return at Skoch's feet and I cleaned up the volley to go up 3-2. We each held serve from then on until it got to 6-4 for us and I was serving to Skoch. I went hard to his backhand and he ripped a return up the line; Sander did a great job to block it back and we scrambled to return Skoch's blasts from the baseline until he finally missed one and we won 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). It's been over a year since I've won a tournament, so it
feels pretty gut.
I may even treat myself to a bratwurst tonight. |