Day 1 at the worlds found USA matched up against a tough Finland team. On first and playing number one was Julian Illingworth vs. Olli Tuominen. Julian had a typical slow start and lost the first game 11-7. He came out on fire in the second taking an early lead which he he
ld throughout the game to level the match. The third unfortunately started out much like the first where Oli build a large lead and was able to hold on 11-8. Down 2-1, Julian tried to force a few winners the start of the game and was unsuccessful which gave Olli too big of a lead to win that game and match 11-4. Next up was Chris Gordon playing three for USA against Matias Tuomi. Gordon came out strong in the first game and held a lead throughout the game, but was unable to hold on in the end losing 12-10. The second was much like the first, close all the way through, but Chris unable to hold on at crunch time losing 11-9. Down 2-0, Gordon ca
me out stronger, but was unable to build any momentum and found himself down 10-8, match ball. The rest of the team was going crazy trying to root Chris on (if he loses a point the match is over and we lose to Finland and move into the 17-24 bracket!). This is when Gordon stepped up his game and started moving Tuomi around the court with a much greater purpose. Gordon quickly saved two match balls and with a crushing low backhand gave himself a game ball. After a long hard fought point he was able to put the ball away and now he was back in the match. Thank god! Playing with more purpose, Gordon found an early lead and was able to hold it throughout the game and hold on 11-9 and level the match. At the start of the fifth game this was anyone's match. Play going back and fourth until halfway through, Gordon was finally able to open up a lead. After a tough 'no let' call in Gordon's favor he finally had a match point which he quickly won to win the match. Last up and pl
aying number 2 was Gilly Lane. He was playing a young Henrik Mustonen who he had recently lost to. Play was at a high pace from the start of the first game and Gilly was unable to get a lead until the crucial moment where he was able to take the game 11-9. The first game proved to take too much out of Mustonen as Gilly was able to cruise 11-2. In the third game Gilly started very well and was able to take the game just as easily as the second 11-3. With the win, that gave the US a 2-1 victory over Finland. Tomorrow is a bye day for the US, but Tuesday will find us playing on the glass court against a very tough Malaysian team. Our match will be shown live on the internet for free. Check it out! http://www.247.tv/?men=PAGE74&tourid=09wstc01
USA 2 vs Finland 1
Sun 27 Sep 13.00
ld throughout the game to level the match. The third unfortunately started out much like the first where Oli build a large lead and was able to hold on 11-8. Down 2-1, Julian tried to force a few winners the start of the game and was unsuccessful which gave Olli too big of a lead to win that game and match 11-4. Next up was Chris Gordon playing three for USA against Matias Tuomi. Gordon came out strong in the first game and held a lead throughout the game, but was unable to hold on in the end losing 12-10. The second was much like the first, close all the way through, but Chris unable to hold on at crunch time losing 11-9. Down 2-0, Gordon ca
me out stronger, but was unable to build any momentum and found himself down 10-8, match ball. The rest of the team was going crazy trying to root Chris on (if he loses a point the match is over and we lose to Finland and move into the 17-24 bracket!). This is when Gordon stepped up his game and started moving Tuomi around the court with a much greater purpose. Gordon quickly saved two match balls and with a crushing low backhand gave himself a game ball. After a long hard fought point he was able to put the ball away and now he was back in the match. Thank god! Playing with more purpose, Gordon found an early lead and was able to hold it throughout the game and hold on 11-9 and level the match. At the start of the fifth game this was anyone's match. Play going back and fourth until halfway through, Gordon was finally able to open up a lead. After a tough 'no let' call in Gordon's favor he finally had a match point which he quickly won to win the match. Last up and pl
aying number 2 was Gilly Lane. He was playing a young Henrik Mustonen who he had recently lost to. Play was at a high pace from the start of the first game and Gilly was unable to get a lead until the crucial moment where he was able to take the game 11-9. The first game proved to take too much out of Mustonen as Gilly was able to cruise 11-2. In the third game Gilly started very well and was able to take the game just as easily as the second 11-3. With the win, that gave the US a 2-1 victory over Finland. Tomorrow is a bye day for the US, but Tuesday will find us playing on the glass court against a very tough Malaysian team. Our match will be shown live on the internet for free. Check it out! http://www.247.tv/?men=PAGE74&tourid=09wstc01USA 2 vs Finland 1
Sun 27 Sep 13.00
Julian Illingworth {1} 1 Olli Tuominen {1} 3 7-11, 11-7, 8-11, 4-11 {48m} 1sts
Christopher Gordon {3} Matias Tuomi {3} 2 10-12, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7 {81m} 3rds
Gilly Lane {2} 3 Henrik Mustonen {2} 0 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 {30m} 2nds
WOW!! What a comeback by Chris Gordon,that's fantastic. Especially knowing that any nick-out or tin will end the match, the pressure had to be intense. Well done! And congrats to the team for moving on.
ReplyDeleteJoe P, Chicago