The Small Points that make a BIG difference
It is evident as always that it is the crucial points that will make or break your game, match and even tournament or perhaps career.
Tonight talking to the Slovenian women’s coach he talked about the missed opportunities that his players had had in this tournament. At the moment they are sitting at 1 win and 3 losses in their group. Unfortunately their win was against Australia. However this afternoon they lost their match against Estonia 3 matches to 2. Two of the matches that they lost were deuce in the fifth game. The two matches they won were both 3 – 0. The overall result though shows a win to Estonia. Against New Zealand in the match of the number 1’s Slovenia had 5 – 0 in the fifth game and went down in the game, match and the tie.
This morning when we played Slovenia the shoe was on the other foot. Australia won the first match with Miao beating their number 2 player. The second match saw Vivian Tan dominating the first two sets. At two games to love Australia was looking set to take the match away from the Slovenians. However the Slovenian had other ideas. She fought her way into the match winning the 3rd set. But the 4th set was a different matter. With Tan leading 6 – 3 in the fourth set, Slovenia took a time out. The next point was the crucial one. Tan served Slovenia mis-read the topspin serve and pushed the ball high into the air. The ball landed on the edge, the score going to 6 -4 instead of 7 – 3. A big turn around that changed the face of the match. Slovenia went on t win the match and ultimately the tie 3 – 1 when they could so easily have been down 2 matches to 0.
I am sure there are stories like that all over this hall during this tournament.
Sometimes it can be luck, but often it is players that can play those crucial points better that progress in the big tournaments.
