Yesterday, I got beat badly in the open finals of one of the local tourneys this weekend by the #1 player for UC Riverside. He had a very Hewitt style game, including the "COME ON", that was very annoying.
I was a step slow from just finishing a semi match that was tougher than the 6-3, 6-1 score line showed. I also didn't convert on several key points which would have gotten me more games, but the dude was definitely sharp. I usually get a few free points from my serve, but he hardly missed a return that he got his racket on the whole match. He also had super heavy topspin that kicked up wicked and I missed a bunch of shots trying to drive my one-hand backhand off the rise. He hit slices, drop shots, aced me, hit volleys, and basically did just about everything well, especially moving.
I also won two matches and got the dubs finals (small draw) and played against a team where one of the guys said he played for Stanford. He was pretty darn good too, ripping returns and groundies, and making sick vollies.
So not too successful but overall it was cool to make both finals. And playing 7 matches, winning 5, makes for a fun weekend.
Besides this tourney, i played in the finals of one last year against a very talented junior named J. Jung. He was awesome. After bunch of aces in my first serve game and a good attacking return game, i was up 2-0. I didn't win another game. Of course, that was 1 hour after a tough 3 set win. A couple weeks later he won an ITF event, Hong Kong Open. Recently he lost to Donaly Young at Easter Bowl, 6-4,6-1. But he is still 16 or 17 and getting better fast.
