Winning the last match...

Last night my partner and I played our final mixed doubles match of the summer. We've steadily improved on our play, but had yet to get a win. The team we were playing had a winning record of 5-4. The woman on the other team had a good forehand and was a polite individual. The gentleman, on the other hand, really likes slamming home winners, delivering ill timed praised after they just won a point, and worst of all, had to clear his throat the entire match.

We had played the other team 2 times before--with it being relatively close. Last night, we jumped out to a 3-0 lead, only to have the other team come storming back to tie it up. Usually, this would me I would mentally collapse---but I was too pissed off to let this one slip by. That night, I was playing with a racket that was 12 years old. Our opponents were playing with the most recent Prince technology.

We pulled out the first set 6-3, our first winning set as a summer team. The second set proved to be an even bigger challenge. Several times the guy opposite of me would call "out" some very close serves. On the last one, well into the second set and nearly at our match time limit, he called my 1st serve on the deuce court wide (possibly due to the fact he had to run and lunge at the serve that was served all the way left in the box). I asked him if he was sure, something I have never done before at the tennis center, and he said "yes." Before I could let my second serve go, another ball from the adjacent court rolled by. The opposing guy called a "let" and "take two." Since he had never called this before in the previous 2 matches I figured he was feeling guilty about the last shot. He line calling may have cost us a few points, and some second set momentum. We ended up losing the second set 5-7. At least we won the most games during the match, giving us the win for the night.

Afterwards, there was a league ending grill party----cheap beer in a can and hotdogs. Ah, the cheap beer never tasted so good!

On Saturday, Aug. 25th I am entering a mixed doubles tourney at the Midland Tennis Center with a woman who subbed for my partner last week. She is a very good serve and volley person, and I look forward to playing the min. 4 matches. Should be a long yet enjoyable day. The day after, Sunday, I start my fall league. I will be playing in a singles league that will really push me--wahoo!
Until next time....