I've been playing better players lately (8-ball), and these guys wear me out mentally. I really have to think to win. Just one match against one of the best players will exhaust me, I win, don't get a break because it is toward the end of the tournament (down to one table), then am worn out for my next match and miss easy shots. This has happened twice this week.
Example: Later at night in the tournament, race to 2 match, my opponent breaks and runs in all 7 balls, then misses on the 8. Then I run in all my balls and make the 8 to win. Then next game is a protracted safety battle 'cause he is not going to let me win again. He wins second game. Then third game is again a protracted safety battle, but I win the game and the match. It is now late at night, I'm in 4th place at this point, and have to play again without a break.
I'm exhausted from the previous safety battles. After a little back and forth in the next game of the next match, I'm left with an easy 5 ball runout. Piece of cake - simple. I clearly see the whole thing. Then I miss on the first ball of the runout which is a straight in easy shot!
I've done this twice this week. Play fine all night, then toward the end of the tournament maybe be in 3rd place or whatever, then I will be exhausted and start missing easy shots.
Any advice?
Example: Later at night in the tournament, race to 2 match, my opponent breaks and runs in all 7 balls, then misses on the 8. Then I run in all my balls and make the 8 to win. Then next game is a protracted safety battle 'cause he is not going to let me win again. He wins second game. Then third game is again a protracted safety battle, but I win the game and the match. It is now late at night, I'm in 4th place at this point, and have to play again without a break.
I'm exhausted from the previous safety battles. After a little back and forth in the next game of the next match, I'm left with an easy 5 ball runout. Piece of cake - simple. I clearly see the whole thing. Then I miss on the first ball of the runout which is a straight in easy shot!
I've done this twice this week. Play fine all night, then toward the end of the tournament maybe be in 3rd place or whatever, then I will be exhausted and start missing easy shots.
Any advice?