AdventureDad

 From left: Henrik, Mikael, Ola, Håkan

 Me and my three teammates Mikael, Ola, and Henrik won the Swedish Team Championships in tennis this past weekend.  It’s our  fourth consecutive title and ninth straight final.  Go TSK Malmen!  After a short warm up on Saturday the draw took place and we faced the strongest team in the semifinals, Skanör Falsterbo.  The other teams were Ullevi and Luleå.  In the team competition every match consists of three singles and one double.  One point is awarded for every win.  If the score is tied, 2-2, we count sets and then games to determine a winner. 

Ola decided to sit out the semifinal so it was me, Mikael, and Henrik.  Mikael started off and played like only he can.  He was in the zone and barely missed a shot.  His opponent is pretty good but had absolutely no chance.  After a quick win, 6-2 6-2, it was time for me and Henrik to play.  I won my first set very easy, 6-0, but ran into trouble in the second.  My opponent played very weird.  Sliced backhand tight over the net and with barely any pace.  And lots of drop shots.  He got me totally out of the rhythm.  I was down 5-2 in the second set but managed to turn around with a bit of luck and won second set 7-5.  Henrik was doing well on the court next to mine.  Won the first set relatively easy, 6-3, but it was closer in the second.  His opponent can run all day long and does not have any powerful strokes.  But he rarely misses.  So you got to be aggressive without making too many unforced errors.    Henrik closed out the second set 6-4 and the double was never played since we were already ahead by 3-0.  In the other semifinal Ullevi beat Luleå fairly comfortably and were set for finals against us on Sunday.

After the matches all the teams had dinner at the club with a few beers.  Since Göteborgskalaset was going on we decided to go out for a few more beers before heading home.  It was a bit crowded but we found a spot, had a few beers and checked out the local talent.  We took a walk up to Avenyn before splitting up.  Some went home and others continued on for another quick beer.

On paper our semifinal on Saturday was the most difficult one and that turned out to be true.  Skanör Falsterbo did have their number two guy injured and with him on the team it would have been a closer match.  The final turned out to be the least difficult match and once again we led 3-0 after the singles and did not have to play any doubles.  Mikael crushed his opponent 6-2 6-2 and played as well as the day before.  Ola won first set easily but got into trouble in second.  His opponent did not look that great but played smart and a bit tricky.  Ola had just gotten back form trekking in the mountains and was not playing 100%.  He lost second set 7-5 but we were pretty sure he was going to win the third anyway.  Ola is by far the stronger player of the two and after picking up the pace he won third set 6-3.  My opponent played pretty much like I want them to play, all shots to my backhand and with some unforced errors.  The match was over quickly with the score 6-1 6-2 and we were once again Swedish Champions!

Categories: Tennis
Tags: