Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Picking Up Momentum!

Hello everyone once again!

Day three of the tournament went well for us once again. Shahar played her second round against last years finalist Virginie Razzano and defeated her 6-2 and 6-2.

The day began with the customary warm up and this time I hit with Shahar and made sure she did everything she wanted and felt she needed to do. Afterwards, she was taken to her own locker room to get ready and concentrate for her match. During this time we talked with the bodyguards about the cultural differences that exist between them and the Israelis and we had a few laughs, which was nice to keep the atmosphere cool and relaxed before she went in to play.

I must say that all 25 bodyguards are very nice people and I have enjoyed meeting all of them and spending time with them. At 11 am, Shahar entered the court and played a very clean and tidy match and built very well on the momentum she has begun to generate since the beginning of the year. Her tennis was very well executed and to be honest it could have been 6-2 and 6-0 should the opponent not have stopped the match for a medical time out which I felt affected Shahar's rhythm somewhat.

After the match I congratulated her and then rushed away to watch the match between Carolina Wozniacki, whom we play tomorrow, and Dominika Civulkova. This part of my job is very important as it helps me to put together a match tactic for Shahar that is not based on feelings or guessing but instead on facts that I have been able to see with my own eyes. Of course I know most of the girls anyways but it is always good to keep the facts up to date. During the match I chatted with Venus Williams' hitting partner and it was great as we had a very good laugh.

The day finished with a doubles match that Shahar and Galina lost in the final tiebreak. It was very close and Shahar played very well again so I am hopeful for tomorrows match even though Shahar has never beaten Carolina before.

It will be great for this momentum to continue and of course as we all know it will add to the already confident mood she is in and gives yet another push to break into the top 20 once again.

See you tomorrow.

Pablo