QATAR CLASSIC ROUND-UP

Qualifiers

Opponent: Kanzy Emad El Defrawy
Country: Egypt
World Ranking: No.57
Result: Lost 3-1: 11/7, 12/10, 9/11, 11/7

A tough start since Egyptians are known to be fighters. She started out agressively, moving me in all four corners of the court, and I placed balls in the front too early in rallies, which she was quick to attack. second game i settled in more, and fought her point for point, but an unfroced errors gave her the edge and found me 10-6 down, but managed to fight to 10-10, before she took the game. The third game was also very close, finding me taking the lead at 10-8, before i won it 11-9. In the fourth game, experience tells me i should remain calm and do what i did in the last game, which was play one point at a time. I knew she was starting to struggle phyisically. but instead of remaining patient and keeping rallies long, i tried to go in for the kill too early. She also came back with a new aggression. Errors from me came at crucial points, which i could almost term “unforgivable”, if there really was a term. She took the match 3-1.

The remainder of the week, I will continue to train in Qatar, watch the best players in the world compete, and play as many practice matches with these girls as i can fit in.

2009/2010 WORLD TOUR

September and October have been months of preparation towards competing again on the world circuit. The month of November has been about waiting to hear that what I was hoping for would really come true.
The good news is: IT HAS!!!

I have received entry into 3 tournaments, after being 7th reserve for two major ones. They only let you know whether you have made it in after the closing date of entries, which is usually a month before the event. If you do not qualify, but are a reserve, you will only be informed of a place once people pull out of the tournament. Then, you are required to respond within 24hrs to say whether you are taking the place or not.

These are the tournaments:
1) QATAR CLASSIC (in Doha: 17th – 23rd November)

This is the 3rd biggest tournament on the WISPA calendar. As you may guess, I was a reserve at first. Now, 32 qualifiers will fight for 8 spots in the main draw.

2) SHARM EL SHEIK OPEN, EGYPT (25th – 29th November)

I was also a reserve for this one. 16 qualifiers will fight for 4 places in the main draw.

3) GREEK OPEN (in Athens: 30th – 5th December)

This tournament is one of the smaller tournaments, and I received direct entry into it, but I am still a qualifier. Once again, 16 players will fight for 4 places in the main draw.

These tournaments will allow me to acquire points, which will enable my current world ranking of 164 to improve. With a higher ranking, I have a better chance of obtaining direct entry into tournaments, therefore enables advance planning for travel arrangements and choice of tournaments.

FINANCIAL SPONSOR
Many thanks to our National Cricket Hero, JP DUMINY, whose personal contribution has allowed this first part of the 2009/2010 World Tour to kick start.

*** WATCH THIS SPACE FOR TOURNAMENT UPDATES ***