Tom McCune and I teamed up this weekend to play in the North Naples YMCA doubles tournament.
We played in the 9.0 category – that is any combination of ratings that added up 9.0, with no age restrictions. While there were some 150+ people entered in all the brackets, there were only four teams in ours; so we played the “semi-finals†this morning.
Our opponents were two 30-something Y Guys, Jason and Kareem. Jason was slightly older and better, with a big topspin forehand. Kareem was a younger black athlete, who had not been playing the game long, but was extremely quick and athletic.
Tom and I tried to play the majority of shots to Kareem and took the first set 6-3 (one break). In the second set, they got many more balls back and we just couldn’t put the ball away when we had the opportunities. They won the second set 7-5.
We played a third set, 10-pointer, which was just a continuation of the second set; and they won.
Tom and I were both disappointed with how we played: missing shots we shouldn’t have and not putting away those we had a chance to. It was a match we “should have†won had we played both smarter and better.
You know, I played a tabletennis match like that this past Thursday evening. Lost deuce in the 5th to somebody I guarantee you I will beat next time. Which may be next week!
Too bad, George. Better luck to you and Tom next time. We have all had matches we think we should have/could have won.