Tuesday 11th March 2014
It was a hard fought match for Ben today and despite being a break up in both sets he unfortunately couldn’t convert his chances.
The later start time today meant that we could get the shuttle bus at 6.45am and have breakfast at the restaurant at 7am. We then walked over to the club and at 7.30am started to go through our own physical warm up so that we were ready to hit from 8 – 8.30am. As we watched Isa play yesterday, and played a practice set with him on Sunday, our warm up was based around what Ben would need to do to beat him. I mixed in a lot of higher balls as Isa has a very spinny forehand and also sliced a lot to Ben’s forehand as we knew that Isa rarely drives his backhand. After also warming up volleys, serves and returns Ben felt good and was ready for the match.
Due to the courts being a little wet the match didn’t start until 9.45am but as soon as it did Ben played a good game to break Isa’s serve to take a *1-0 lead. Ben was broken straight back in the next game and even though the next 3 games went with serve I felt as though the tactics Ben was using were excellent. He was much more aggressive than in his previous 2 singles matches; hitting 5 winners in the first 4 games and he was also prepared to move up the court whenever he got the chance. However, at *2-3 Isa raised his level considerably and started to produce a lot more winners from the back of the court. In response to that, Ben tried to hit a little more aggressively but it lead to too many unforced errors and at the next change of ends Ben was 5-2* down.
The rain then started and play was suspended which gave me a chance to talk to Ben. I explained that tactically he was doing the right things and his hitting level was very good so neither of those things needed to change. What did need to change was his consistency at the level he was playing at and Ben totally agreed.
At just after 11am the courts started to dry out so Ben and I went on court to hit a few balls so that he was completely warm when the match restarted and then at 11.30am play resumed. Ben lost his serve in the next game to lose the first set 6-2 but we both knew that the score line didn’t reflect how close the set actually was.
In the second set Ben again had an early advantage when he broke Isa at 1-1* and at 2-2* but on both occasions he couldn’t hold on to his serve in the next game. From 3-3* until *5-6 the set went with serve and despite Ben having numerous break point opportunities we wasn’t able to convert any of them due to the high level that Isa produced on the big points. Ben showed a lot of character throughout that period and not only did he deal well with not being able to convert his break points but he also saved a match point when he was serving at *4-5. At *5-6 Ben had a service game that he will want to forget; first an unforced error from the back of the court and then 3 double faults in a row handed Isa the match 6-2, 7-5.
Even though it was the best match that Ben had played on the trip, both of us know that he has got a higher level within him and maybe the determining factor with all of Ben’s matches has been how well he has been able to deal with the balls and the altitude. Most of the other players have found it difficult to play their games but Ben has really struggled with his serve and also his forehand following his forearm injury.
Once we had eaten lunch we walked back to the club and literally as we entered the clubhouse a heavy downpour started. After about 30 minutes of continual heavy rain the referee decided that the courts would not dry out and so he cancelled play for the day at 3pm.
While most of the players raced to try and get the 3pm shuttle bus back to the hotel, Ben and I went straight into the gym to make the most of the time we had this afternoon. Ben went through a good strength session and then had a long stretch out while I did some intervals on the running machine to keep my marathon training up to date. We both then got the 5pm bus back to the hotel to relax before dinner.
I’d been looking forward to tonight’s dinner all day as I remembered how good the chicken pie was last week and we weren’t disappointed even though the pasta that accompanied the chicken pie was not the best!
Once we got back to the hotel both Ben and I tried to get some work done but once again the internet is not working! Normally it’s ok once all of the players have gone to bed so hopefully I’ll be able to get the Blog online then.
Schedule for tomorrow:
Ben Stride (GBR) & David Volfson (CAN) vs Hubert Badenhorst (RSA) & Michael Copeland (RSA) – To Finish (6-4, 4-1*), Not Before 1pm
Due the possibility of David having 2 singles matches tomorrow there is only 1 doubles match scheduled.
