PLAYOFF FOR 3RD/4TH

Well I woke up this morning and felt a little tired after the long day yesterday!!! We started the match vs. the Czech's at 8:30 am and we finally finished at 6:00 pm. All matches went three sets and all of them were battles. I decided to sit out this match since I did not feel 100% and Myke played in the #2 position vs. France (the #1 seeds). We thought she was going to have an easy match, since I had scouted the #2 French player yesterday, but they played their #3 player and she was a very good player, a totally different player than their #2. She had a very strong baseline game so Myke had to be ready to battle and boy did she. She played with alot of patience and tenacity!!! Alot of long points (typical of the red clay), and she prevailed in 2 sets (after being down 4-1 in the 2nd set). Great playing Myke!!! We really needed that win at #2 because their no. 1 player is an incredibly good world class player and we knew Fran would have her hands full!!! Fran's match started with alot of good points, but Catherine took alot of her short balls and attacked beautifully!!! Fran lost the 1st set 6-3, but I knew that if she used the right strategy, she could break her down some!! I coached both Myke and Fran's match and kept reminding them of what they were doing well and how they were winning points. I have to say that I did a great job, because Fran won the 2nd and 3rd set, using the strategy we had been discussing to perfection!!! She had to execute the plan and she did!!! A great win for both of our players and most importantly a great win for the USA!!! We beat the former #1 team in the World (last year's winners). Overall we played as a team great!! We won significant matches and we worked very well together. We were a TEAM, and the results showed!!! We were very happy to get on that podium and receive the 3rd place medal!!! By the way the Czechs ended winning the Cup this year with a win agains Italy. We were literally one set away from winning the Cup!!! Well I start the Individual Singles tournament on Monday. I have spent the last few days sightseeing and practicing.