Keep on keeping on

In many matches, there are points in which you become aware that this is not just any point – you have to win this point. Maybe it is when you sense that your opponent has gained a second wind, or maybe a newfound confidence. You have to shut them down now.  In these points you must be even more disciplined than ever and be sure not to take any shortcut to winning – keep playing the right shot over and over and whatever you do do not make an error. If they are going to win this point make them pay for it.

In my final match today, I won the first game pretty comfortably. I was playing well against a strong opponent. But I started out in the second with three straight lazy errors. Then the match next door finished and the crowd came over and saw that my opponent, who is local to Bari, was up. The crowd swelled and the cheering started. I sensed this could be a turing point – he could ride this wave of enthusiasm and overcome the fatigue that I had inflicted in the first game. He started playing better and I realized it was time to tighten up my game.

With my finals opponent, Pierluigi Morelli

With my finals opponent, Pierluigi Morelli

 

With Tournament Director Dino Ranieri

With Tournament Director Dino Ranieri

 

Champion of Italy with my prize

Champion of Italy with my prize

I slowly began to come back and managed to win it 12-10.  Now up 2-0, I knew that if I stayed focused then I could achieve my goal.

I won the third and the match 11-6, 12-10, 11-7.  I was very satisfied that I played determined, focused, and good squash throughout the tournament.  I’d like to thank Bari Squash Center owner and tournament director Dino Ranieri for a well-run tournament, the Italian Federation for organizing the event, the refereeing crew for being very professional, and my opponents: Massimiliano Veracini, Ruggero Illuzzi, and especially my finals opponent Pierluigii Morrelli for a clean, hard-fought finals.

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