The first battle in Dutch Eredivisie for our team in 2012 was away against Victoria Rotterdam, last years playoff finalists. I was put on the number 1 spot to take on world number 7 Peter Barker. His record speaks for itself, and I knew that this would be a close to impossible task. But I still go on there with a do or die attitude, a set gameplan and my goals for the match. It was twice as hard considering this was week 2 after the holidays for me. Peter Barker just came back from playing the Super Series play offs in London.
The first game was defined by the lack of length from my side. Although I have taken major steps in this area, it needs to be even more precise, and consistent against these guys. Some tactical blunders from my side saw me at the wrong end of the scoreboard and Pete read what I had to come with to easily and put me under a lot of pressure both offensively and defensively. Positive points is that I made my own points, and did little amounts of errors. He did 1 personal error. I took 1 stroke and the remaining points I got myself. First game 3-11.
In the second game his tactic was clear and it worked. I can learn a lot from this. He worked me around the court with precise balls to the back until my legs were tagliatelle and then he moved the ball in short where I could not reach it. I still made some weird decisions, but the game got progressively better. Gamescore 2-11. Memo to self: No need to go in short too early against anyone, ESPECALLY not the world no7
Third game: There was not enough oxygen on the planet for me to get into my lungs. The legs were fine but he got me breathing too hard for me to keep up with the pace. A positive point is that I tactically played a lot better and played some good floaters up and down the walls. It was far from enough, and the game ended
1-11.
I dont think I made (That big of) a fool out of myself. I certainly learned a lot and will put this experience in my backpack of knowledge that will help me progress further.
Thanks to Fredrik Holmberg for support ;)
Now lets see if I can upload a video...hmmmmm
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