THE DRIVE
Kelly Fisher and Val Finnie drove their car and I followed in mine. We were leaving a gloriously sunny day in Charlotte, which Kelly and Val took advantage of by taking down the roof on their convertible.
I was jealous as I watched Val slap on the sun tan lotion whilst soaking up the sun.
That was until a black cloud came over us, and yes, down came the rain. And rain it did.
I was in fits of laughter watching Val trying put up the roof. It was like a Laurel and Hardy sketch. They were getting absolutely soaked.
I, of course, was as dry as a bone. Ha! ha!
THE TOURNAMENT
ROUND 1
AUDREY HEPBURN (Stacy Hurst)
Stacy has had some great results in the past and I was ready for anything. I was cueing well going in to the comp, better than I had been in years, and was confident in my game.
I don't think I missed much and came away with a 9-2 win.
I finally had the feeling that I was getting back to 100%.
ROUND 2
Janet Atwell.
This was my worst match of the comp. I'm sure it was Janet's too. Neither of us could make a ball on the break. The match went back and forth to 6-6.
From this point I was able to hold myself together and grind a 9-6 victory. Now that was hard work.
ROUND 3
THE IRISH INVADER (Karen Corr)
One of my favorite people to play. I love her game and pace around the table. It suits me well.
This wasn't perfect pool from either of us. Karen and I missed some crucial shots. I know I missed an easy 7 ball and an easy 8 ball, which cost me two racks. She too, but on the whole I still felt great, and before I knew it I was 8-3 up.
So all I had to do was to be patient and don't try to rush the win. Keep playing my game.
Karen won the next three games and to be honest I don't recall having chances in those racks. I kept telling myself. Just one chance. That's all I need. It came in the 15th rack. I can't remember who broke, but I was on the 1 ball and all of the balls were open.
I just took one ball at a time and tried to do everything right. Choose the correct shot, walk into the shot, slow backswing and stay down. If I do that, then I give myself my best chance.
I cleared the table for a 9-6 win. I was very happy. I had made the cut to the last 16.
THE RE-DRAW
There really was no advantage being on the winners side at the re-draw.
There were 3 of the top 5 players on the losers side. So it was luck of the draw.
Kelly Fisher (who had lost to Helena Thornfeldt) was the first to draw and she picked out my name.
THE LAST 16
KWIK FIRE (Kelly Fisher)
I love playing Kelly too, but of course it's a tough match. I felt confident and was enjoying myself. My break wasn't working well and had a hard time seeing, let alone getting on, the next ball.
Kelly's break was working much better and she was able to get into her rhythm (which can be deadly for all opponents)
I still felt that if I had a chance I would take it. The chance never came and I lost 4-9.
I came away feeling that I had given every shot my best. It just wasn't my day.
So all in all a solid performance and can't wait for The US Open.
TIP OF DIARY:
Be patient.
Kim Shaw
www.kimshaw.com
