Badminton News: In the 20-18 deciding match against sixth seeded Brian Yang, YONEX US Open 2023, Jonathan Matias stared at the scoreboard in disbelief; the Brazilian has flashbacks of a junior match he lost from winning position against the same opponent.
With trembling hands, focused on the beat, the world number 68 allowed the Canadian Yang to equalize the chances.
Jonathan Matias then remembered the pearls of wisdom shared by his sports psychologist. A few minutes later, the 23-year-old had crossed the line 26-24. He had won the opener 21-17 before Yang extended his first draw with a 21-12 victory.
“I tried to concentrate but I couldn’t, there were too many emotions,” Matias explained later. “My hands are shaking, I can’t think. Even though I know where it is, I’m not sure I’m sending the shuttle there. I kept telling myself “don’t take any chances and don’t do anything stupid,” she said.
“The junior game that I led 18-13 and lost 20-18 to Brian kept coming back to me. I struggle too much with these things, a lot of doubts. That’s why sometimes I play well, sometimes I play badly.”
“I’m very happy at the end because it’s a big win for me. I can play my best badminton and beat players of Brian’s caliber. It’s a relief to know I’m on the right track.
Jonathan Matias arrives prepared, having lost his two previous duels against Yang.
“My strategy is not to let him play at the net, because he has a good rotation. And don’t let him control the backcourt. Just put him behind him, not him behind,” Matias said.
Over the past eight months, Matias has won two Peru International Series in October and the Santo Domingo Open last month. And now he has won his first victory in a Super 300 tournament. His two previous appearances at this level ended before the second round.
“It means a lot because I’m trying to qualify for the Olympics. I still fight Ygor (Coelho). It was my goal to play the Super 300 this year and now I won the game. It’s like a dream.”
Few Pan Am commuters claim to be regulars on the HSBC BWF World Tour, a trend Jonathan Matias wants to change. At the same time, he knew that to take the plunge, he needed to have more self-confidence. This is where his sports psychologist comes in.
“I think too much. I did that part of my game with an expert,” said the 2018 Pan American Under-19 champion who faced Japan’s Koo Takahashi in the round of 16.
“In terms of ability, I know I can play because in training I do amazing things,” he explained.
Article Tags: Jonathan Matias, US Open 2023
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