Anthony Rasile, an in-shape, lefty, baseliner originally from Long Island and now from Naples, and I played our Naples 65 Singles finals this morning. From my scouting, I knew that he had an excellent lefty topspin forehand and could run very well; but had a weaker backhand and attackable serve. So I had wanted him to serve first from the north side (with the lefty facing the morning sun).
He won the toss and chose to serve; so I put him in the sun and broke him. But on my first service game, I fell behind 15-40 on the strength of his getting a lot of balls back. I was able to regain focus and control to hold serve; and then maintain that same combination the rest of the way.
My strategy was to hit to his forehand to open up his weaker backhand side; hit to that and come in behind a pressing shot, when it came up. The points were good and he had leads in several games; but the first set score was 6-0.
Key word to myself was “focus,†which continued into the second set. Toward the end of the second set during a changeover, he said, “This is my worst loss ever! I even got a game from Fred Drilling.†So there was my challenge. Final score: 6-0, 6-0.
At the end of the match, he paid me the best compliment I could hear, by not telling me how well I played; but how well I analyzed his game and exploited his weaknesses.
Next, The Wachtel Family Traveling Circus heads north this Friday.
Note to Willy Hoffmann: He lives in Pelican Landing; so you might have some fun hitting singles with him.
Congratulations, George! Job well done!
JH
Congrats!! Great Win!!
Nice way to end the season!
Congrats George. Your game looked very good!! Great control of all your shots. I noticed that you seem more agressive when you are playing doubles but more in control at singles. You are the Naples 65 King!!
Way to go, George!! Have a safe trip north and a good summer-if it ever arrives!!
Congratulations!!!!! Have a great summer.
Congrats also…you OLD player! great win.
Dick – tks for taking the time to come down to watch this morning + for being my partner this season… it was fun!
Congrats on the win. You were hitting well when we drilled on Wed.
Have a nice summer!
Tom
loved your comment about how to congratulate a winner and be a “good loser” May the traveling circus beware of the weather.It’s not Naples,Fl. up here. Oh,by the way, GREAT win!!
Congrats, George well done. Have a great summer. Matt