R2: Victor saves match balls to finally seize the match against incredibly amazing Velavan

Victor : First, on your point about the glass court versus a traditional court: yes, at the British Open I beat Adam Hawal 3-0, and in London I beat Yannick Willemi 3-0 as well. Those are very solid players, of that calibre. When I can use my full range of shots, I’m able to master them thanks to my squash. On the traditional courts, I always have to be simpler and more efficient.

And he had a good game plan. He slows the game down well, he volleys well, he plays a lot of angles. I get lured in and want to do something with it, because I feel I can’t beat him in the back, when that’s really my base. I come into the early rounds here and tell myself: I’ll play my simple, strong game down the back, with the odd attack, simple and efficient. And it works.

But when my length isn’t good enough, as today, it gets complicated. He grows in confidence, and I have to find a way out. That’s why I get a bit more aggressive, which can cause a few issues with my coaching, because it’s not always what I’m asked to do. But I feel I need to express myself more, and then the whole puzzle will fall into place a bit better.

I know I can lean on my mental toughness.

When I’m up against it, it’s not intentional, but there’s a certain looseness, a certain experience that lets me come back, because I’ve done it so many times that it’s natural to me. And I know that, little by little, when I get into his head, it really hurts.

The signs show quickly: in the fourth game, a very high return of serve, error. You think, being taken to a fourth game after having match balls might not be good for him. There’s always the chance he finds his game and hits some shots. He’s had a bit of luck, and he does get there in the end, but he’ll really have to go and fetch it. And maybe I managed to express myself better towards the end. These are matches that will help me move forward and be better in future.

I need to keep pushing in a few more events to make it into the top four and get put on the glass courts from the start, which would make things easier for me. But I’ll keep learning and keep finding ways to win the hard way. I know every win gives me a little more confidence for what’s next, and it builds character.