This was my first UK Open, and I have to admit, it was a real eye opener. Having never competed in an event on this scale, I knew coming into it, I wanted to use it as a learning experience and hopefully take something from it which would improve my game going forward.
I read up on how the games would be set up but then actually playing them I wasn't prepared for how tough they would be. I also wasn't prepared for what a real grind the format is, it is very mentally draining.
So I decided to use my initial three cards as a "feeling out" for how all the games were playing. One of the real challenges is adapting to each game. First impressions, if I'm being honest, were "these games feel unplayable" So how do we adapt to changing that mentality and getting some sort of decent score out of them?
You need to know that playing with a certain set of skills that you have will only get you so far. As obvious as this sounds, the reading of the ball and the decision making need to be turned up as the games were playing so much faster. You have to anticipate much sooner and then make the right decision.
After a number of attempts I then started to make the necessary adjustments which brought me more success and gave me a lot more confidence. I did void plenty of cards later on but like I said, initially it was a feeling out period so did submit some .
You need to trust your judgement, I think this is essential in finding improvement. I also think that by watching the top players there that also improved my ability to keep the ball in play.
So my takeaway from this is that I am really glad I have now experienced machine set ups which are brutal and have watched some of the world's best players as this has given me even more confidence going forward. Next big tournament for me will be Hungary in October, I can't wait !!!
I read up on how the games would be set up but then actually playing them I wasn't prepared for how tough they would be. I also wasn't prepared for what a real grind the format is, it is very mentally draining.
So I decided to use my initial three cards as a "feeling out" for how all the games were playing. One of the real challenges is adapting to each game. First impressions, if I'm being honest, were "these games feel unplayable" So how do we adapt to changing that mentality and getting some sort of decent score out of them?
You need to know that playing with a certain set of skills that you have will only get you so far. As obvious as this sounds, the reading of the ball and the decision making need to be turned up as the games were playing so much faster. You have to anticipate much sooner and then make the right decision.
After a number of attempts I then started to make the necessary adjustments which brought me more success and gave me a lot more confidence. I did void plenty of cards later on but like I said, initially it was a feeling out period so did submit some .
You need to trust your judgement, I think this is essential in finding improvement. I also think that by watching the top players there that also improved my ability to keep the ball in play.
So my takeaway from this is that I am really glad I have now experienced machine set ups which are brutal and have watched some of the world's best players as this has given me even more confidence going forward. Next big tournament for me will be Hungary in October, I can't wait !!!