GOOD EVENING! HEY! I'm so excited I feel like yelling, as you can see!
We won!!! My dad's words were:"we almost left it too late"... That's so true! I'll start you from the beginning...
We had an earlier start today, as there was 2 singles to be played and a doubles match. Bethanie lost to Safarova. There was a 20 min. break between the singles matches. Our job was to relax Alexa for her match. She did awesome yesterday and we had no doubt that she would be on fire today, but it was a big moment and could see Alexa looked nervous. Well, she sure fooled us and played beautiful! Alexa beat Kvitova 6-2, 6-1!!!!!! I went inside to the lounge try and relax before the doubles. I couldn't relax, cause I was glued to the TV watching Alexa! She did great! Her winning meant we were tied at 2-2 going into the doubles. That's exactly where we wanted to be. I felt unsettled all of a sudden, so I messaged my husband and told him I needed him to say something/ anything! He wrote me back and his words were :" no expectations". It just means, go out and play. I also read over some of my notes I carry in my bag and felt more at ease. From the start of the week, Bethanie and I had planned to play the doubles. We considered if Alexa should play, as she was invincible. Bethanie and I was the more experienced pair, so we would go out there and try our hardest. We sure did, but couldn't get many games. Peschke was by far the do minant player and all over every ball. It seemed like we couldn't get the ball away from her. This lasted for too long. Before we knew it, we were down match point. 6-2,5-2 and AD to Czech. We thought we had it difficult up to this point, but now the real work needed to start cause we had a hole we had to dig ourselves out of! One step in front of the other, baby steps at first. We saved the game and was down 3-5. Then broke to go down 4-5. Then I served a good game to even it to 5-5. They held and we were down again, 5-6. Held Bethanie's serve and then played an unbelievable tie-break! I think we won it 7-1 or 7-2! We won the third set 6-1. They had it in their hands and we got lucky I guess. So lucky!
I felt so many emotions today and so did my team mates! Like I told you, I am on the best team. It was a huge team effort. I know Melanie didn't play this weekend, but without Melanie's win in Arizona, we wouldn't be here and also without Jill's win, we wouldn't be here. How awesome! Gosh, the match drained me physically and mentally! Nothing hurt at the time, but now I feel old!
We are in high spirits tonight. We ordered pizza in our room and everyone sat around a big table. We also got ice cream and coffees! And then we played Charades... It's amazing what practice does... I have improved 100%! I was actually a team captain and an asset to my team...he he he I say this every time Fed Cup comes to an end and I will say it again; I will miss everyone! I don't want the week to end... :-(
Now for the bad news...I still have to pack and we leave at 4 am. Not good. My mom and I are flying to the next tournament in Stuttgart, Germany. I already told my mom, when we get there we are going to the hotel and taking a nap. Cara and I have a practice court in the afternoon.
It's been my privilege to blog for you'll this week. I hope you have enjoyed the experience with me. Can't wait for Nov. Fed Cup final in Italy!!!!
Thank you. Thank Team USA. Thank you God for giving me the strength to hang in there today.
Until next time,
xoxoxo
Liezel
