DUO Conway Beg and Antonio O’Connell lost 6-2 to Thailand’s Nuttanon Kadchapanan and Patcharapol Kawin in the men’s doubles of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan yesterday.
The Fiji team fought hard to win the second set and won two rounds, but Thailand proved too strong.
“Competitions such as this helps us get into a competitive nature and to really compete because this is like five levels up from the Pacific and Mini Games,” Beg told FASANOC media.
“We take every win and every loss as a learning experience and this environment is new for Fiji Tennis, but it is something we can grow from. When we play in the Pacific region we think we are good and ready for any competition, but it is not until you take part in something big such as this where it truly opens your eyes.
“But because this is something new for us to experience, all we can do is take out the positives and learn from every game and try to improve as tennis players and how to become better.”
O’Connell said he could have done much better.
“The game was tough, we played two pretty big opponents and I was not too happy with my serves. Thailand were very strong,” he said.
“It is all about holding the serves, if you have a good serve and hold the game well you will be able to last and that is something I lacked.
“I wish I could have done better but this is just something I need to work on and take back with me to improve but on other than the experience here has been amazing.”
Meanwhile, in the women’s doubles, Ruby Coffin and Vienna Kumar won by default over Kazakhstan’s Alexandra Grinchishina and Kamila Kerimbayeva.
