So I haven't blogged for a while and since the new season in bearing down on us, I think it's about time I returned to the keyboard.
I shall endeavour to start where I left off; it was almost the end of the season and I just had one remaining tournament. Said tournament was in Ille-Rousse, Corsica. I went into the tournament as number 2 seed, but the highest ranked player due to points collected at the British Open and Chennai Open in May. This was the first time I have gone into a WSA tournament with this pressure. Historically, I have dealt with pressure of being a favourite well and knew I was getting fitter and stronger as each week of training went by. Importantly for me, this was the first tournament since before Christmas where I was able to prepare exactly how I wanted as the scar tissue from my injury had finally broken down and playing was pain free.
The first thing to say about Corsica is WOW! it is such a beautiful, picturesque island Secondly, how friendly all the people are and despite the language barrier (my french being decidely worse than their English on the whole), Jean-Louis and everyone were always trying to help in any way they could. I was staying with fellow English player Zeph and we were given a lovely apartment for the whole week (2 flights per week to/from the UK meant we HAD to stay a whole week). From the moment the plane hit the tarmac I really enjoyed the laid back attitude and ever present 'Island time'. At time I had to remind myself I was at a tournament and not on a chill out holiday!
Oh yes, the tournament........
The first couple of rounds I was reasonably comfortable, getting a feel for the court and how my body was feeling. Next up was the semi final where I was up against French woman, Maud Duplomb. Not ranked too far below me and having seen her play before, I knew I was going to have to concentrate from the start and take my chances well. Fortunately I was able to gain control of the middle early on and push home the advantage, never really allowing her into the match. Exactly what the doctor ordered!
After a few days staying where the sun actually shines, it was safe to say my pale skin had shifted to a bright pink! Thankfully it wasn't too bad and didn't effect me in the final.
My opponent in the final was another French woman. Laura Pomportes had upset the top seed earlier in the tournament, on the way to her first tour final. Laura started the better and I had to come from behind and save a game ball to take the first game 13-11. I relaxed a bit more in the second but still had to work hard to take the game for a 2-0 lead. Early on in the 3rd, I stopped as the crowd wrongly thought the rally was over. To my dismay, or possible misunderstanding on the referee's behalf, I didn't get a let and I unfortunately allowed it to get to me and my head went awol along with the 3rd game. Fortunately I managed to regroup and made a strong start to the 4th before Laura suffered a bad slip. Her movement was impaired from there on but as everyone knows, sometimes there's nothing worse an injured opponent who suddenly has nothing to lose. I managed to press home my advantage to take the match and my second WSA title. Thankfully Laura wasn't hurt too badly.
After everyone made such an effort to make us welcome all week, I thought it was only fair for me to make the extra bit of effort which meant sacrificing my dignity and making my speech in French. Hopefully I'm still welcome back next year!
Between then and now I have been training hard, attempting to improve my fitness and lean up! This included a variety of training methods and numerous trips up to the National Squash Centre in Manchester to work with the National Coaches and the rest of the England squad.
I have some high targets for myself over the next season and hopefully with a good summer training behind me, reaching them is a real possibility.
I am currently in Mexico for my first tournament of the season, the $15k Prosquash Mexico Open. I am seeded 5th and my first match is tomorrow against a Mexican wildcard. Follow the tournament on the official tournament website http://squashmexicanopen2012.com/
We stayed at the Mexican Sport Institute last night where many of their Olympians and other top athletes train. We were on lockdown at 10pm, noone in or out! It did make Lilleshall seem like a stately home at times. Today we have moved to the tournament hotel which is really nice; the bed is so comfortable it's making me ask myself if 5pm is an acceptable bed time? Tonight they are hosting a welcome dinner at the club which I am really looking forward to. Everyone has been really welcoming and the club is amazing, let the matches begin!!
