Houston July SCMZ @ BARC

I had a 3-day Super Champ tournament starting on Saturday, July 21, 2018. It was called the Houston July SCMZ (Super Champ Major Zone). It was played at Bay Area Racquet Club and Harry Taylor Tennis Center.

I was able to warm-up and hit around with my coach before my match. I was really stiff and nervous and was hoping that I could hit the nervousness away in the warm-up. I was hoping I could get past the nervousness and head straight on into the brave and courageous spirit. Sadly, those feeling stuck with me when I got onto the court for my match. To win, I had to beat the nerves, and believe in myself. 

checking out with Jastine.

My first opponent was Jastine Escamos. She had very smooth and powerful ground strokes that made me make a lot of errors. I still had the nerves stuck inside me. I couldn't think clearly because of them! However, I was still able to move her around, attacked, and forced errors on her. I felt like I was playing braver even though I didn't feel like that inside. I was able to seize the important opportunities and win! I won 6-4, 6-1.

I felt decently confident about the way I was playing. But, I knew if I wanted to win, I had to play better and stronger. Next, I had a doubles match on my tournament match schedule. I was hoping that my partner and I balance each other out, stay in sync and harmony, and pull of a great win. I knew we had that in us. But, could we bring it out?

with my partner, Michelle.

My partner, Michelle Li, and I were playing against two powerful hitters Kenna Erickson and Keira Mason. It was hard for us to gain control of this match because their shots were so powerful and controlling. We were not able to stay in sync and we made so many errors. On top of that, Kenna was very aggressive and fearless at the net. We were playing their game, and we lost. We lost 8-3 (pro set). 

To play good doubles, we had to stay aggressive and put constant pressure on our opponents. Michelle and I had a bit more work to do to improve our cooperation, and our games need to be tweaked for doubles. We both still have singles, however. I am looking forward to tomorrow's challenges.

we lost doubles, but was fun experience, as always.

It is Sunday, and I am about to start my second singles match, the quarter-finals. My nervousness level is a medium, and I am feeling fairly confident that I can do this. You know the butterflies will always be there, regardless who I am playing. I just need to let myself be out there, be the fighter in me and play my best!

My second opponent is Keira Mason. I won most of my points because of her unforced errors. Making a lot of unforced errors myself as well, the first set was pretty close. I did force some errors on her that won me the set. In the second set, I turned my level of play a little higher than the first to stay in the lead. I forced more errors onto her by outplaying her around the court. Most times I just needed to be consistent and patient long enough to weather the storm. I won 6-4, 6-1. 

match with Keira Mason

I am in the semi-finals now. I need to win this match if I want to go to the finals. This is a very important match for me. I hope that my skills are good enough to compete. I know I am capable.

And here went with my third opponent, Lia Orihuela. I immediately took control and dictated first, attacking and winning the first set. For some reason, in the second set, I fell into the wrong mindset; the mindset of doubts. Nothing was going right for me. I was missing shots everywhere. I couldn't find the court, I was losing my control over this set. Consequently, we went to a tiebreaker. It was a struggle inside myself and on the court. I told myself, "Even if I lose, I might as well just play my game." So that's what I did. I went for all my shots and went to the net for almost every point. I was brave enough to go for all my volleys and attacks. Guess what? It payed off! I won 6-4, 1-6, 10-4.

reporting scores with Lia.

It was Monday morning and I was getting ready--warming up off court--for my final match. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I had gone too far, I can't mess this up. I am in the finals of a tournament! I really want to make it all the way. I just don't want to reach it, and not having arrived. I hope I could perform and play my game the way I know how. I can do it!

Let's do this! 

My last and final opponent was Chloe Brisset. I had lost to her in our previous meeting. I was confident as I was committed to compete this time. I was as confident as I could every be before I stepped on the court. But, I got nervous all over again. I could feel Chloe was also nervous in her game. We started breaking each other's service game back and forth, and then I started making errors. This was things started to fall apart for me.

Chloe kept hitting very sharp angle, sometimes flat, sometimes topspin, and it was hard for me to defend it. Her forehand was her main shot weapon, and she used it wisely. When she had a good shot she could attack, she would go for it; mostly with her forehand. She hit clean, fast-paced shots that were forcing errors on me. I tried to counter, but I ended up trying to do very risky, low percentage shots too close the the sidelines that didn't pay off. I was split in half mentally in the second set. Half of me knew I had it and I can win, but the other half didn't agree. I was scared that I would disappoint everyone all over again with a loss in the finals. And, that was when I lost control of the set, and the match. My mind was swirling into a void of nothingness. I wasn't playing from my heart, but from fear of losing.  So, the shots I produced didn't mean anything; and before I knew it I had lost the match, 4-6, 2-6! 

me!

It was a good run, but I wish I could perform better. It was all in my mind that I would change my mindset and play more aggressively. I would make a plan that I could follow consistently without trouble. My one chance I got to finish it, I got scared, and ran away. I was afraid I could never have my chance, but that is all up to me. I would learn from this mental mistake. And I hope with each loss, I would have an opportunity for reflection and learn.

Thank you for spending time following my journey.
​Karina Zaharieva