McLean Targets Doubles Title

Ghana’s McLean Dzidzenyo believes all that stands between him and winning the doubles title is a good dose of self-confidence and being more “street smart”.

GTF - Wheelchair Tennis No.1 was frustrated by his first round loss to fourth seed Philip Fielding from Austria in the Men’s Singles at the ongoing Nottingham Wheelchair Tennis Futures Tournament on Tuesday, but turned animated when looking ahead to the doubles event.

“I lost the match against Fielding because I beat myself; I was my own worst enemy out there,”  the 30-year-old stated with brutal honesty after he lost 6-1, 6-3 to the Austria, ranked 148.

“Yes, it was a tough draw to face the fourth seed in the first round, but I love the challenge of drawing seeds, because it tests you and you learn from every match. I went in with a lot of confidence, but I was all over the place in the first set. I was over hitting every ball that came my way and got so flustered that I could not get onto the scoreboard. I started the second set much the same, but I pulled myself together.

“I was 5-1 down, but I fought back to 5-3. I didn’t use the opportunity, though, to force the match into a third set. I only have myself to blame for the loss. If I can start matches the way I played in that second set, I will start beating the seeds.”

McLean added that “Going into ITF Futures  without a coach is really difficult but I will follow the Men’s Singles action and try to learn as much as possible from the top seeds to try and improve my chances. It would be a fantastic way to finish two great weeks at home with a doubles title.”

 

by: Gabriel Amoakoh