Better late then never...sorry folks! Haven't updated the blog, been online trying to find flights to Phoenix. Been looking at flights into Vegas, Tucson, San Diego, LA, El Paso and Albuquque. My mind was spinning when I finally shut the computer off at 1 a.m. But finally, Natalie will stay in a hotel in Austin tonight so she can taxi at 4:30 a.m. for her flight. I will drive back to New Braunfels tonight to sleep, so I can fly out at 6 a.m. This of course was made crazier then normal due to Sandy, so we can't complain knowing what folks are going through in her aftermath.
OK....back to tennis! Natalie struggled on the court during her singles match with Oudin. It was obvious that the emotional singles and dubs matches from the day before took much out of her. True to herself, she continued to push herself through match even tho the unforced errors were getting to her mentally. Losing the first set 2-6, then being down 1-5 in the second...Natalie continued to battle at the level she could for that day. Battling back to lose 4-6. Unfortunately, when facing a great opponent as Oudin, you have to be at the top of your phycial and emotional game in order to beat her. Sooooo guess God is saving that for another day!
Doubles started out strong, with "our team" going up 4-1, seemingly cruising through the first set. Then, someone threw up a brick wall and we lost 5....yes 5 ....games in a row. We couldn't volley, return serve....nothing....we had nothing.....not sure where it went....but we had nothing. And to the credit of their opponents, they started to smell success and stepped up their game. Taking the first set 4-6 and then the second set 4-6. Needless to say Natalie and Jackie were disappointed in their performances and the loss.
Now onto Phoenix 75K....leaving tomorrow. At last check Natalie was out of singles by four spots, we feel she has a good chance of getting in the qualifier draw. And she and Jackie will play doubles, which will begin on either Tuesday or Wednesday. This will be the last tournament of the year.
OK, gotta go drive Natalie to Austin so that I may get tucked in for at least a couple hours of sleep. Love and Blessings....Sherry
