Day 15

I ended up losing a really tough match to Tiago Fernandes, the number 14 seed, here at the Australian Open. First set he played lights out and beat me 6-3 and while I broke in the first game of the second I didn't hold the break for long before he broke me back. Finally at 4-4 in the second I broke once again and served out the second set. I followed up the previous break with another one to start the third set but once again this one didn't last long. We would hold serve until 5-6 in the third, when I held a game point. Unfortunately I couldn't convert that, and he went on to take the match 7-5 in the third. He would go on to win the tournament. Perhaps I made some strategical mistakes during the match, but the point was that I played a very solid match and merely a better player beat me on that day. It is hard to regret a match like that where the guy just makes you feel a bit helpless on the court. While my run ended in the round of 16, it was a positive step for me as I had gotten my first two wins at a grand slam and I look forward for more success in the next three and hopefully as a pro. So as I finish my last blog, I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout this trip and next time hopefully I can take home the trophy! Thanks everyone.