Off to the Dutch Open 2014 on Friday morning 05:30H. The pairs will start at noon, but it's a new venue in a new location this year and thus a 3 hour drive for me.
I got to the venue at 08:30H. Plenty of time to pick up the player's card and explore the new venue. :)
At first glance it looks big, but not as big as the previous venue. A bit confusing as in the main playing area it stops at board 128 and us ladies are playing on boards 129 to 144... Managed to find them eventually though. In a tent over the skating ring and across the "hall" from the TV lanes.
It was a bit nippy in there when I arrived, but it warmed up enough thanks to 6 heaters.
I played pairs with Kristie Struker (NL). The format (unfortunately) was 701, best of 3. Best of 5 would've been better.
We won our first game 2-1 against Kaandorp-Mathijsen, Iris / Anten, ilmi. Thanks to Kristie I must add. She hit the winning double.
Our second game we were up against Viinikainen, Kirsi / Liiri, Maret. We lost 2-0. Kirsi played really well. Missed a 170 check-out in the 2nd leg. We were still on 200 plus, so.... :s
Ladies' pairs were won by Anastasia Dobromyslova/ Lorraine Farlam. Runners-up were Deta Hedman/ Fallon Sherrock.
Men's pairs winners: Scott Mitchell/ Richie George. Runners-up: Jamie Hughes/ Willem Mandigers.
After our game and after marking I went to the hotel to check in. Was pleasantly surprised there by a free upgrade to a wellness suite. :) I posted pictures of the room on my facebook page. Really regret cancelling my 2nd night the other day now, but.... Ah well... The room was more like a little apartment and had a steam cabin/ shower, sauna and whirlpool. A heavenly bed. Slept like a baby :D So, well rested for the singles.
I ordered room service; mix grill.... Also, delicious. 6 pieces of meat with a plate full of french fries, baked potatoes and veggies.
Breakfast was also one of the best I've ever had. The apple/ pear/ raspberry juice was to die for. :D I would certainly recommend the Van Der Valk Hotel in Assen. Price/ quality is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
I had a bye in the first round. Like most of the ladies. 279 ladies in total.
My first game was against Petra Hondebrink (NL). I was supposed to play on lane 136 but they moved us to the TV lanes. Didn't find that particularly amusing, but managed to win 3-1.
My second game was against Rachel Brooks on lane 136. I didn't give her a good game at all. Only in the first leg. But I failed to finish. Rachel won 3-0. Neither of us played well. Could've been a good game, but it wasn't.
The last 64 men and last 16 ladies are being played today, as is the youth.
The ladies final: Aileen De Graaf vs Anastasia Dobromyslova. Aileen wins 5-4. :) Well done Aileen!!
The men's semis: Scott Waites vs Jeffrey de Zwaan and Vladimir Andersen vs Ross Montgomery.
Men's Final: Scott Waites vs Ross Montgomery. Ross wins with 3-2 in sets.