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jbors47

Jbors, Day 39, Season 2

“40-love.”

Those three syllables will be playing over and over again in my mind for weeks. “For-ty love.” That’s what it was. So close again, but it still wasn’t my time. It is like in Happy Gilmore, when it took him seven putts to make it on his first hole. Well it seems that I am still on about putt number four.

“40-love.”

I arrived in Bulgaria for the Bulgarian Challenge, a Tier IV tournament. For this tournament player accommodations were not provided, so I was forced to stay in what would appear to be a shack. The lingering smell of tobacco and alcohol provided for a terrible nights sleep, but I still woke up ready to go.

Today I was going to be battling Beta. He is the fifth seed in the tournament and the 27th ranked player in the world. A winnable match, although saying that got me in some trouble last week.

“40-love.”

The day before I trained a little bit with my coach, Vince DeMare. I decided to work on my forehand and backhand. I was going to need my weapons if I was going to win a match this year. I knew in my mind that I could do it, but a few points here or there would always cost me the match.

“40-love.”

I arrived at the courts around 10:30 am Bulgarian time. I made my way to the locker room and took my seat at locker #47. I saw stevos walk in after his first match, a win, and chatted with him for a little bit. I then showered, dressed, and had a little snack. For this match I decided to wear Adidas. Last week the Nike clothing didn’t bring me a win, and being very superstitious, I changed my ensemble.

“40-love.”

Beta and I took the court to a rather packed house, which was quite exciting for myself. We had our warm up and then began the match. Beta came out to a quick lead, winning the first two games with ease. I decided I was going to wake up for a second, and I quickly held and broke back. Beta then took complete control, winning the next three games only dropping two points. The score now stood at 5-2. The next game was a barnburner, going to 8 deuces before I luckily pulled out the game after Beta’s double-fault. I now had a new life. I rattled off a great service game to cut the score to 5-4. Beta was now serving and I was in desperate need of the break. I fought hard and got what I wished for. The score was knotted up at five, and we both held serve to bring it to a tiebreak. I quickly took the tiebreak 7-2, surprising myself, and probably many others. I was now one set away from victory.

“40-love.”

I started the set returning, and won that game in deuce. Beta now took the reigns and came up with a break of his own. We then traded holds until the score was again 5-5. I was now returning, knowing that if I was to win this match I needed to win this game. We traded points until I broke it open with a return winner and moved the score to 30-40. Off my next return Beta ripped it just inches long and I was now one game away from my first victory.

“40-love.”

Beta made his way across the court as I grabbed the balls from the ball boy. I approached the baseline, and prepared to serve. “15-love.” Ace. Very next point I ripped a serve and Beta barely returned it over the net and I quickly ran in and put the short ball away with ease. “30-love.” Only two more for the win. After missing the first serve, I but the high kick on my second. The point stretched out for over 20 balls, but in the end I finished it off with a crippling drop shot. “40-love.” Here it is, one more for the win. It was finally about to happen. I missed my first serve, but there was no problem, I would just make the…. “Double-fault.” I was still up, although. I ripped my next serve but Beta came up with a huge return and I barely pushed the ball over the net and Beta put away the next shot. 40-30 now, still match point. I missed the first serve but put the second in play. The point seemed to go on forever, and I confidently went for a winner down the line but missed by inches. I had just blown three match points, and I went on to lose the next two points and the game. The score was 6-6 now, and I lost the tiebreak winning only one point.

“40-love.”

I walked off the court in disbelief. I had three match points and I lost the match. After dropping the second set I went on to lose the next set 6-2. Chalk up another loss in the book. I guess it is back to the drawing board….again.

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05/06 Combined High School Record- 39-19