AdventureDad

Quick update from the Championships down here in Turkey.  Things are going well so far, we're now more than halfway through the Championships.  We got very unlucky with the draw and ended up with great tennis nations Spain and Argentina.  We had a very close loss against Spain in the first match.  Then a stunning victory against the highly seeded Argentinians.  We followed up today with an easy victory against Germany.  I'm so far undefeated and have played very well but it has been long and tough matches in blistering heat.  

I've also got a new nick name.  My usual nick name is "Fantomen", or "The Phantom", which has been with me for a while.  This comes from my extreme fitness and tendency to wear people out on the court.  If players want to beat me, especially on clay court, they will have to work very hard.  Both mentally and physically.  My new nick name from the girls down here is "Iron Man".  This started after I made my strong Argentinian opponent cramp in the third set after making him run around three hours in 35 degree (90 Fahrenheit) weather. 

Sweden - Spain 1-2:

I started off by winning my match 6-2 7-5 against a very good Spanish player.  It was hot and very windy which made playing difficult.  First seat was easy but I was in a bit of trouble in the second.  I got a bit lucky in the end and managed to win in two sets.

Then Martin entered the court.  He lost after 4 hours of hard playing, 6-7 6-3 3-6.  Both players were suffering and cramping in  third set.  Martin in both his quads and the Spanish in his calves and arm.  It was quite hilarious to see.  I think Martin was the better player but his opponent played very smart.

I played doubles with Kenneth and lost 6-2 6-4.  We didn't play great, especially not me.  I felt a bit tired and worn out for some reason.  Long day, started playing 08.30, finished 5 pm. A close but very tough loss for us.

Sweden - Argentina 3-0:

After our tough loss against the strong Spanish team it was time for the even stronger and seeded Argentinian team.  I felt like crap  as I started my singles mach.  Heavy legs and an opponent who played smart and was fast as a leopard.

I lost first set 7-5 and didn't feel well in the extreme heat.  In second set I was just fighting to say in the match and noticed my opponent getting  tired, we had many long points.  I managed to win second set 6-3 with a bit of luck.

My opponent took an injury timeout and was cramping.  I felt fine, changed my soaked shorts and put on my third shirt for the match and was ready to run again.  I got a quick lead but lost it and suddenly it was 3-3 in third set.  My opponent was really struggling with cramps, I made him run and destroyed him 6-3.  He looked dead as he limped off the court but I still had plenty of power left.  A great victory since I didn't play great and had to fight the whole mach.  No one messes with Iron Man:-)

Martin was tired and stiff from the day before but had a great start against an Argentinian who was strong physically.  6-1 in first set, lost second 3-6, and when it was 4-4 in third set it was getting dark.  We had to change to a court with lights and Martin finished off the match 6-4 straight away.  We were all really happy over having beat this strong team.

Martin and Kenneth played doubles in the lights and won 6-2 6-3 after great play.  It was one happy Swedish team who celebrated with beers throughout the night since we had the next day off.  Long day, started playing at 1 pm, finished at 8 pm.

Sweden - Germany 2-1:

After a day of rest, just some light practice, it was time to play the Germans.  We had a feeling they were a little weaker and were right.  I humiliated my opponent 6-1 6-0 in about an hour and it felt great to be undefeated after three matches.

Martin followed my lead and won 6-0 6-3, he was just playing too well. Martin and Kenneth lost first set of the meaningless doubles 7- and then retired so that Martin could get some rest before our match tomorrow.  Next up is Finland which on paper looks like a team we should beat.  But you never know with tennis.

More updates from Iron Man and our team will follow.

Categories: Tennis
Tags: argentina, cramp, features, finland, Fitness, germany, spain, Tennis