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November 30, 2008

Ashley Captures Doubles Title #2 in Spain

Hey everyone!

Sorry I couldn't let you know how yesterday went sooner, but I didn't have any internet access. Anyways, Lucia and I won the doubles final 6-2, 6-3! It's definitely good feeling winning back to back doubles titles. We played in crazy conditions, it was extremely windy and the clay would blow in your eyes and face in the middle of points. It was really cold also. I think we handled the conditions well and played smart. We pulled out some tough games by winning them on the No-Ad points. I took the return everytime on a No-Ad point and we converted all, but one. Hopefully stepping up and winning those big points will roll over into my singles. Our opponents were getting frustrated and were trying to peg my partner for nearly the entire 2nd set, they did get her once pretty hard. She handled it well and it fired us up even more. We stayed very intense and aggressive throughout the whole match which was the key to winning the tournament for us. After the match they presented us with our tropheys and had a few speeches which I couldn't really understand because they were all in spanish of course. Our tropheys are really cool and big. We also took lots of pictures.

When we were done with all the post match stuff my Dad and I tried to go get a couple souviners in town, but the stores were closed. So we hit the road and drove to Peniscola where the hotel is for my next tournament, it was about an hour drive or so. The actual tournament site is about 30mins away, but the hotel is really nice so it's definitely worth it. I have a pretty big room and a view of the beach/cove area and a castle up on the hill. Breakfast and dinner are included at the hotel which is nice. There are a ton of people staying at the hotel and a lot of stuff is open around the little town unlike the other places I've been this trip. The place I'm staying is the host hotel for these last two tournaments even though we'll be playing in different towns. I better get comfortable because it will be my home for the next two weeks.

My Dad had to get up really early this morning and drive to Barcelona because he had a flight out back to Austin. Time went by so fast when he was here, I wish he could have stayed longer, but he has to get back to work. I'm sure he's not too thrilled about getting back to deal with the crazy financial stock market. I'm glad the Dow has been up the last 5 days so it won't be as big of a mess as it could have been when he gets back to work. Anyways I'm really appreciative and glad that he was able to come over here and spend time with me. Now I'm on my own for the last two weeks...beware! haha

Now to fill you in on the rest of today which hasn't been too exciting other than it's freezing here!! I got up early and waited for the transportation bus over to the courts which I was told was at 8:15, but it turns out that it didn't leave till 9:45. There's only one bus that leaves in the morning and it returns to the hotel after all the matches are done, so I think I'll be spending more than enough time at the courts this week. Once we got to the site I had to sign in for doubles with the only person I could find who didn't already have a partner...she doesn't have a doubles ranking, but we got into main draw fine. Lucia is playing with someone else this week because she has to leave on Friday and wouldn't be able to stay even if we kept winning and made it to the finals. The rest of the day I practiced on the clay and played a practice set. I also hit on the backboard a couple times and did some fitness. We all waited for the bus to go back to the hotel around 6 and I just chilled for the rest of the night at the hotel.

The draw came out this afternoon and I play Fatima El Allami from Morocco who I played in the semi's of doubles last week. In doubles we play Hristea/Radu from Romania who I don't really know. I don't play singles until Tuesday, but I play doubles tomorrow not before 2pm. Sorry this post turned into a small novel haha...hopefully it made up for a few of the other shorter days. I hope all is well and I'll talk to you guys again tomorrow after my doubles. Adios!

Posted by Jack Newman at November 30, 2008 1:05 PM