First of all, thank you for all the positive posts. I actually read them to Marcus after he got up this morning. I really enjoyed Robs advice which we talked about in the car on the way to his match. It must have worked as Marcus won his singles match 7-5, 6-4 in two hours & ten minutes. I am over the moon. The match was played in temps in the 90s and both players were tired. I felt for Marcus opponent as he played his first round match at 9am and that match was close too.

Before the match I was told that the other player was like a garage door, everything came back, but he lacked power apart from a little power on the forehand side. The scouting report was correct, everything came back. Most points were ended with a Marcus winner or Marcus error. Happily Marcus hit a ton of winners.

The match started badly for Marcus, he was broken to love and shortly found himself 3-0 down. He fought back to 3-3 only to find himself 5-3 down. He then went on a run of winning four straight games even hitting an ace (the ball bounced twice although I think Marcus hit a soft serve knowing that his opponent was standing too far back). In the second set Marcus won three straight games at 2-2 for a 5-2 lead. He then seemed to run out of steam. One game had six deuces and I was dying. Eventually Marcus had a match point at 5-2 only to lose the game. For a while I really thought the wheels were coming off and Marcus was running out of steam. I feared for the possible third set (which I found out would be a ten point tie breaker), but after reaching deuce while serving for the match at 5-4 Marcus hit a serve out wide and followed it with a cross court winner and on his second point his opponents backhand hit the net after a brief rally. I was over the moon.

Afterwards we went for ice cream, but on the way we had to jump over a little creek like we have many times after practice or playing, Marcus never made it and ended up with both feet wet in the creek. He really was out of steam even though I kept reminding him to drink. He will now rest up to be ready for the doubles.

Well, so much for the doubles. Marcus, and his partner Van, lost 6-2, 7-6. It was strange as on the way to the match Marcus and I even talked about the trophy, pride goes before a fall. As Van had destroyed a good player in the singles quarters and Marcus played well too I thought they would win. They were playing a team that had played together before (both are 12 and one has a parent who is a coach), but only one of them had entered singles and he had lost in the quarters. I didnt know how they would do this morning, but after watching the singles I thought Marcus & Van would win. What I had overlooked was the value of having a doubles partner who you are used to.

There were times when Marcus and Van left the ball to each other, and times when Marcus seemed to be scared at the net just hoping that one of Vans hard shots would not hit him in the back of the head. The conditions were windy and it was still hot, but they were out-played by a good team in the first set. In the second set Marcus and Van found themselves serving for the set at 5-4, but Van was broken after a couple of missed volleys by Marcus and a double fault. They immediately broke back which gave me hope, but unfortunately Marcus could not hold his serve. At one point they were two points from sending the match into a third, but that was as close as it got.

The tie breaker was disappointing after they had been ahead in the set for so long. The other pair started with an ace and hit two amazing returns to gain a couple of mini breaks on Vans serve. After that it appeared that there would only be one winning team. The match lasted just under two hours.

I think Marcus looked tired after his middle of the day 2+ hour marathon, but I think the deciding factor was a team that played together well and beat Marcus and Van (even though I think Van will win the singles title). Afterwards I found out that there is no consolation match in the doubles so that is it! I feel bad as I think Marcus and Van were finding their chemistry in that second set and despite the age difference they really enjoy each others company.

In the morning Marcus will play Van in singles for a spot in the semis. I think there is every chance that Marcus will go down 6-0, 6-0. I think Marcus has accepted his fate as Van hits the ball so well and is fast on the court. I dont expect tears now though. I think this has been far too much of a positive experience for Marcus for him to feel bad about anything.

On a funny note. The lad that Van beat in the quarters of the singles has a father who is a USTA coach. According to Van, this lads father once coached a Mr. Andy Roddick back in the day. The boys name is James Williams and he has recently moved to Montana from Texas. I have little reason to doubt the story even though Andy was never in Texas. Maybe Ill talk to the father one day and let you know what I find out.

Onto Marcus singles semi final with hope......the draws have been up-dated.