Tennis Tournament: 4/25-4/27

This tournament was at a country club that I played at before, but I haven't played on their recently painted USTA color courts.

Match 1: Lost - 2-6, 2-6

I was hopeful but I was not on my game for the first match. I couldn't keep a ball in the court due to the swirling winds. And the points that would have been winners my opponent got them back. I guess that is the difference between 3.0 and 3.5. Also, my competitor was kind of annoying. During each change-over he would pat himself and say things like "Oh, you are playing well but I am at the top of my game today." I was trying to be friendly with the guy but by the end of the first set I just got a drink of water and walked away from him.

Match 2 (Consolation): Won - 6-2, 6-1

I felt good during this match and I felt that I was doing everything right. My opponent was a "serve and volley" player but I was able to overcome this game with some passing shot and lobs. We had some really long rallies but I played a bit cleaner and not give away many points.

Match 3 (Consolation): Won - 6-1, 6-1

This was a gimmie match. The guy I played wasn't playing well and he hit every ball out after 2 shots rallies. I was up 5-0 in the second set and I decided to stand in really close to the service line and try to take the ball early. I lost that point but I served for the match afterwards.

Match 4 (Consolation): Won - 6-7(6), 6-3, 10-5

I played against my nemesis who I have played 4 times prior, and we were tied 2-2. I served really awful during the first set and only held my serve 3 times. I was down 3-5 but won the next 3 games to serve for the set...I was broken, and we headed to a tie-break. I was up again 6-5 serving for the set. I lost my serve and the next two points and the set. I was not happy and I played really well the second set. The super-tie breaker started with me double faulting and I was down 0-3. I was kind of down on myself but hyped myself up and won the next 5 points and the match. The match was 2.5 hours but it was a good match.

Match 5 (Consolation): Lost - 5-7, 0-6

This was the toughest played I've played in a long time. The was playing extremely hard the first set and I wore myself out and didn't have much to give in the second set. My opponent was a lefty, and dread playing lefties because my game is geared for right-handed opponents. The guy had a good server, backhand and forehand which made it hard for to get anything past him. He deserved to win, but it was a fun/challenging match.

This was the first USTA tournament of the year in 3.5 division. I didn't plan plan on winning the tournament but I never thought I would have done as well as I did. I have about 8 more tournament this year, so hopefully I will improve and get further into the main draw.