Well yesterday I had my longest TS4 Topspin session ever by a long mile. A combination of my Fiancee falling asleep early and also my sleeping patterns a bit up the wall I played well into night which is not like me at all...
Also I got to play some of the Americans which was a nice addition. Loads to report on but I just want to highlight the following:
Baghdad IV vs
Tenjintenkai 6-0 6-4
A really enjoyable match, Tenjin is a very talented player who plays the game very SIM-like. His David Ferrer was great. Tenjin seems to sway quite heavily towards control shots which is nice because 50% of my game is control shots so the point construction was deep.
Baghdad IV vs
Coolhand Texas 6-3
It was nice to finally play Luke (Coolhand), he was using his a Richard Gasquet custom and has done a nice job with the him. I was up 4-1 and coasting and I took my foot off the gas a bit and got punished. He is still a great player out there and whilst the 1/2 drop shots a game were a bit too many for my liking he hit them with precision and his all round game was good.
Baghdad IV vs
Sherlock117 6-1 5-7
It was really sweet to finally play Sherlock, I think in TS3 he was already retired when I turned up and so I think we only ever played once before (TS3). After seeing his viewpoint on the forum about SIM/TS4 I wanted to explore his game and I was not disappointed.
The first set I came out of the blocks firing and I think Sherlock was taken back by it a bit. Despite the scoreline in the first there were some great rallies and loads of replays we left playing. 6-1
The second set was a requested rematch by Sherlock as I think he wanted to roll his sleeves up and focus, and that he did. I would say at least 75% of our service games went to deuce and SO many long battles where we thought the other was out of the point but a control shot or deep slice / control slice would get us back in the point. I had break points as he did but at 5-5 he finally broke me after tons of deuce holds and served it out. 7-5.
Sherlock was also using a Gasquet custom although his player looked more like Dennis Rodman haha. Orange hair (shaven) and an orange kit. My financee woke up whilst I was playing it and said "he looks pretty cool" and I was like "stuff him what about me?" and she was like "nah"
Baghdad IV vs
AnilITST 4-6 6-7 6-7 6-7
We actually played 2 x 2 set matches and I can tell you these were sublime. Both our defensive games are very strong so we really had to throw each other around the court to create the opportunities to finish a rally. Both of us have accurate serves both we were already to return tons of serves and create break point opportunities.
I was pleased to break Anil's serve on 2 occasions but Anil found a way to break back. In the 4 set Anil was 3-1 up and 0-40 on my serve but I managed to hold, then break and then the rest went on serve to the tie break. After a huge fight I was serving at 7-6 with a mini break but Anil was like "you ain't taking this set off me Baghdad"
I am pleased to have pushed Anil because I hear he is one of the top rated players so it nice I am in the mix again
A great session and also worth pointing out that all the above matches were without TOPSPIN INVASION & MONSTER DEFENSE coach skill.
Baggy
They call me Baggy...
TS3: No.1 MSS - retired (15 titles)
TS4: No.3 MS - retired (2 titles)