[22] Curtis Malik (ENG) 3-0 Henry Leung (HKG) 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 (38m)
Curtis
Midday through the first, I managed to get a bit more line control through to the back wall, as he was playing that really good backhand lines, he is always very accurate, he was trying to prevent me from volleying and playing my game.
Once I settled into what he was doing tactically, I managed to open that court a bit. I got some diagonals back-to-back, and that really hurt his legs. He wasn’t able to push as much, and he didn’t have much energy left. That really took it out of him. So I was pleased about that.
I’m playing Leonel Cardenas, I’ve never beat him before, but we always had some really closed games. It’s a nice one to get stuck into, and hopefully, progress through the second round to the next level….
I had a few issues with my body, I dislocated my shoulder in December, you take 6 weeks to get back fit, you get straight back to tournaments with no training. So in February March, I needed those tournaments to get back into play, and I didn’t have that match sharpness and practice. After Optasia, I managed to have 2 and a half solid week of training, then the Euros last week, got some good matches there. So I feel I’m my best shape, which is great as I had two major events.
I knew those days would come round, I just want to perform as well as I can, and how I know I can those last couple of events.
A day off tomorrow, so time to prepare for that last match, I’ll give everything….
