Oz Grass Update #8

In the Mens Singles Final of the grass court Futures Tournament in Berri, playing in front of a large luncheon crowd, Greg was up against 20 year-old Queenslander John Millman, ranked 312. Greg and John have had some mammoth matches in the past so I'm sure this match would be no exception.

Greg was quick out of the blocks, using the new balls well on the grass courts, getting a break up and then holding serve well. More pressure on Millman by Greg saw him break Millman's serve again, going on to win the 1st set 6-1, in a qucik fire 20 minutes.

Greg continued his good form and at 2-1 up had Milllman at 0-40. The luncheon crowd, wanting more tennis, got behind Millman, who fought back, saving the three break point and rallying to level at 2-2.  Games went with serve to 4-4, when Millman got a decisive break of serve to lead 5-4. With a raucous crowd behind him Millman served out the set to even the match at one set all, winning the set 6-4.

The 3rd set saw Greg take an early advantage, breaking Millman to get 4-2 ahead. Again the terrier Millman fought back managing to break Greg's serve and then level at 4-4. He again broke Greg to take the advantage at 5-4. Greg could not counter and Millman won the set 6-4, and the match 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

A very disappointing end to a good week for Greg but well played John Millman. The result should see Greg advance his singles ranking close to 200, in two weeks time, when the ITF points are added to the ATP rankings.

Greg is heading back to Melbourne for some rest and training before heading to Japan for a Challenger tournament.

Oz Grass Update #7

Semi-finals of the grass court Futures Tournament in Berri. Playing to their seedings, No.1 seed Greg, was up against the No. 4 seed, 22 year-old Victorian Sam Groth, currently ranked 282. Coming off a recent 4 month break for injury Groth has a high rank of 220 and, at 6"5' tall, has a booming serve and a good grass court game.

Just one break of serve separated the two players in the 1st set but it was Greg who got the vital break of serve to win the 1st set 6-4.                                     

Greg said he returned well and was serving very well, especially his second serve, as he broke Sam early to go ahead in the 2nd set, then held serve to consolidate his lead. Another break of serve by Greg had him serving for the match at 5-1, which he did, winning the set 6-1 and the match 6-4, 6-1.

In the final Greg's opponent is his peer and good mate John Millman, the No. 6 seed, who dispatched of the No.2 seed Matt Ebden with a tight 7-6, 7-6 win.

Oz Grass Update #6

Quarter-final round of the grass court Futures Tournament in Berri and Greg's opponent was 22 year-old Indian Vishnu Vardhan, currently ranked 383 in the ATP singles.
It was just one break of serve in the 1st set which saw Greg take the set 6-3.

Greg began the second set confidently getting a break ahead early, then holding serve before breaking Vardhan again at the end, winning the set 6-2 and the match 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals.

In the semis Greg will be up against big serving Victorian, 22 year-old Sam Groth, who is growing in confidence in only his 2nd tournament back, after a 4 month lay-off recovering from tennis elbow. Groth, seeded No. 4, overcame No.7 seed Bryden Klein in a close three set match.

Oz Grass Update #5

Second round of the grass court Futures Tournament in Berri and Greg faced another Australian, 24 year-old Adam Hubble, currently ranked 1019 in the singles. Hubble is a good doubles player, with a good doubles ranking of 189, and has great volleys and good touch, so will be a challenge on the soft grass.

The first set saw Greg get an early break of serve but Hubble hit back immediately to level the score. After each player held serve Greg again broke Hubble to go ahead but was then again broken immediately. Games then went with serve to the tie-break. Greg forged ahead early and maintained the break winning the tie-break 7-3 and pouching the 1st set 7-6.

In the 2nd set Greg went a break down early on but managed to break Hubble's serve to level and then see games go with serve, this set also going to the tie-break at 6-6. This time though it was Hubble who seized the advantage, getting the mini-break to change ends ahead at 4-2, then holding his serve to win the tie-break 7-4, the set 7-6 and level the match at 1 set all.

Greg started the 3rd set well, breaking Hubble early to take the lead. He then proceeded to serve well, not giving up a break point opportunity for the set, games going with serve for Greg to win the set 6-4, and a very closely contested match 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4.
The match lasted over 3 hours and Greg said he was mentally exhausted, not just physically, from all the concentration required on the bumpy, soft grass courts.

A tenacious grinding win which sees him into the quarter-finals, to be played tomorrow.

Oz Grass Update #4

First round of the Futures tournament in Berri, a sleepy little hamlet on the Murray River in the north-west corner of South Australia. Greg was again the No.1 seed. He said the courts were not in very good condition, with bare patches from the lack of rain eariery in the year, which were now very soft patches after recent rain on the weekend.

His opponent for the 1st round was a qualifier, 25 year-old Australian Daniel Dossetor, unranked as yet in the ATP singles ranking, who has been on the College Tennis circuit whilst studying in the USA.

Have not spoken about the match with Greg so do not have not much detail, except that it was a tough match with one break of serve difference in each set, to Greg, for a straight sets 6-3, 6-4 win to him.

He will play his 2nd round match tomorrow.

Oz Grass Update #3

Quarter-finals of the singles in the Futures tournament in Mildura and Greg's opponent was 25 year-old Colin Ebelthite from Adelaide. Ebelthite's ranking has plummeted to 497 on the back of injuries over the last six months but, with a high rank of 209 and a solid win over the No.6 seed John Millman in the previous round, would be a force to be reckoned with.
With Ebelthite serving first games went with serve to 3-2. Greg then went 15-40 down on his serve, saved one break-point but could not prevent Ebelthite from breaking his serve and going 4-2 up. Greg could not make any in-roads into Ebelthite's service games and games went with serve until Ebelthite served out the 1st set, winning it 6-3.

In the 2nd set it was again Ebelthite who got an early break up to lead 3-1. At 4-2 up he again broke Greg's serve to serve for the match at 5-2, which he did with not too much trouble winning the set 6-2 and bundling Greg out of the tournament.

Greg said it he had played well and was pleased with his serve but that Ebelthite had played well. He said Ebelthite had a very flat game and used a lot of slice which made him very difficult to play on grass.
Ebelthite has progressed to the finals with a straight sets win over last year's title holder Bryden Klein.

Greg goes to Berri, not far from Mildura, just over the border in South Australia for another Futures tournament, also on grass, next week.

Oz Grass Update #2

Second round of the Futures tournament in Mildura and Greg was up against 18 year-old New South Welshman Matthew Barton, currently un-ranked in the ATP singles rankings.

Greg was quickly into the match and broke Barton to go 2-0 up. A loss of concentration saw Greg serve 3 double faults in his next service game and let Barton back into the match, dropping his serve and allowing Barton to level at 2-2. Annoyed, Greg served up another two double faults in the next game and dropped serve again. Barton had his wind up and held serve for the rest of the set to pouch the 1st set 6-4.

Unexpectedly a set down, Greg knuckled down and once again got ahead in the second set at 2-1, only to again let Barton back to level the score at 3-3. They swopped break point opportunities but neither converted, Greg going within one point of losing the match. At 5-5 he served a good game to go 6-5 up and then stepped up his return game to pressure Barton and bring up break-point. He failed to convert that point but forced another set point, this time converting to win the set 7-5 and get back into the match at 1 set all.

The 2rd set saw Greg playing better and better, games initially going with serve to 2-2. Greg then broke Barton to go to 4-2 up. This time he served well to hold and go 5-2, before breaking Barton again to win the set 6-2 and the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Oz on Grass - Update #1

 

Mildura in north-west Victoria was the centre for this week's tournament, on grass. A picturesque tennis club set just off the banks of the Murray River, the grass courts are of a high standard and it is a well run Futures tournament.

At his highest ranking, of 213, Greg was the No.1 seed for the singles. His opponent in the first round was 19 year-old Victorian Andrew Gregory, currently ranked 778. Andrew had not played much in the past few months, maybe due to injury, not sure why.

Greg got an early break in the 1st set and, after holding his serve well, was able to break Gregory again, winning the set 6-1.

The second set followed along the same lines, Greg getting an early break, then serving well to maintain the advantage and then breakng again, before serving out the 2nd set, winning the match 6-1, 6-2.

Greg said it was a strange match as Gregory served and volleyed almost every point and Greg was able to pass him easily. Despite this Gregory continued with that tactic and Greg reaped the benefits.

Oz Summer Tour continued Update #6

The final of the Men's singles in the Challenger tounament in Burnie, Tasmania and on a bright and sunny day with little wind Greg, seeded No.7, faced up against top Australian Junior Bernard Tomic, winner of two Junior Grand Slam titles (Oz and US) and youngest player to ever win a singles match at the Australian Open. Bernard, currently ranked 289, was a late entry into the tournament and was forced to go through qualifying, as wild cards had already been given out prior to his entry, winning 6 matches to reach the final, including playing two 3 set matches in one day due to rain on Thursday evening. In their last meeting Bernard had trounced Greg in straght sets, but Greg was in good form having dropped only one set on the way to his final.

Serving 1st Greg got off to a confident start, holding serve, but so did Tomic, games going with serve to 2-2. Tomic then forced a few errors off Greg, having two break points with Greg at 15-40. Some good serving saw Greg save those points, then save two more break points, but not the 5th break-point of the game, Tomic going 3-2 up. Tomic served well for a 4-2 lead. Greg then held serve well but could not get a read on Tomic's serve, losing the 1st set 6-4.

Greg started the 1st set with 2 great serves, but Tomic pegged him back to 30-30, then deuce, when Greg served a double fault. Two points later and Tomic had broken Greg to lead 1-0, then 2-0 after a good service game. Tomic then got Greg to 15-40 and after breaking Greg again, had a strangle-hold on the match when he served another good game for a 4-0 lead. Greg held serve easily after that but could make no in-roads into Tomic's service games, Tomic running out a 6-4, 6-2 winner in a surprisingly quick match.

Greg said it was such a frustrating match. He said Tomic has such a strange game that it is very difficult to get into the match. Tomic strokes the ball, mostly with not much pace, but is very accurate, working the lines and the corners, able to change direction easily, and then is able to quickly change pace, whipping a winner. He gives his opponent no pace to work with, so by trying to generate pace you make errors, otherwise you play at Tomic's pace and he dictates play. His serve is also not tremendously fast but is naggingly accurate. Difficult to play but that is his strength and how he wins the matches and the tournaments.

Oz Summer Tour continued Update #5

 

Semi-final of the Men's singles in the Challenger tounament in Burnie, Tasmania and today it was a lot milder weather with sunshine.Greg faced 21 year-old Japanese Yuichi Sugita, currently ranked 301, wirh a high rank of 255, who had beaten the No. 5 seed along the way.

Serving 1st Greg got off to a confident start, holding serve then breaking Sugita, and holding to go to a 3-0 lead. Games then went with serve, with Greg having half-chances on Sugita's service games and serving extremely well on his own serve to deny Sugita any chance of getting back. Greg served out the set 6-3.

With Sugita serving 1st Greg had a deuce game to get to 1-1, then broke Sugita to go a break up, serving to go 3-1. Giving up very few points on his own serve, games went to 5-3, Greg up. He stepped up and notch and made some great returns of Sugita's serve, bringing up match point and converting to record a good win 6-3, 6-3 and advance to his 2nd Challenger final of his career. Incidentally, Burnie in Feb 2007 was the other time he played in a Challenger final (at the tender age of 18). So familiar territory for Greg...

Oz Summer Tour continued Update #4

Quarter-finals of the Men's singles in the Challenger tounament in Burnie, Tasmania and the weather was windy and miserable. Greg faced peer and good friend 20 year-old Australain John Millman, currently at his ranking high of 300. John beat Greg in two sets at the same stage in the tournament last year, but Greg just shaded John over 3 sets in their last encounter in the Oz Open Wild-card play-off in December. An interesting contest to unfold.

Greg said he did not play well in the 1st set, letting the cold, windy conditions get to him, and he went a break down early in the set. He ended up just hanging in but losing the set 6-4.

In the second set Greg knuckled down and came out firing, breaking Millman early to go out to a 3-0 lead, then 4-1. Both players struggled serving into the wind and at 4-2 up Greg dropped his serve serving into the wind. Millman was back in the match and levelled at 4-4. Games then went with serve to the tie-break. A set down Greg went for broke in the tie-break and some attacking play was rewarded with Greg dominating the tie-break and winning it 7-2, and the set 7-6, to hang in there and tie the match at 1 set all.

With Millman serving 1st, Greg started the 3rd set a lot more positive although he said he still was not playing his best. Millman held and so did Greg, after a long deuce game and saving a break-point. Games went with serve to 3-3, then 4-3, Millman up. Serving against the wind Greg struggled, playing a few loose shots and faced 0-40. A chance for Millman to go 5-3 up and serve with the wind for the match. Greg said, back against the wall, he somehow saved the points and held for 4-4. Millman served and held for a 5-4 lead. Greg then faced break-point again at 30-40, this time match point. Missed his1st serve and after a good 2nd serve got into a rally. He went for broke again, hitting 3 huge shots to get Millman defending and then ghosting in to hit a drop-volley to save the day and then get to 5-5.

They both held serve to go to the tie-break at 6-6. Greg got a mini-break early to go 3-2 up. Millman hit back but Greg held for 4-3, Millman to serve. Greg broke for 5-3, but Millman held for 5-4. Match on Greg's serve, two points later he had won. 7-4 to Greg in the tie-break and a miraculous win 4-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(4) result.

Oz Summer Tour continued Update #3

Second round of the single in the Challenger Tournament in Burnie, Tasmania and Greg was playing rising Australian player, 20 year-old Matt Reid, from NSW. Matt, currently ranked 501, dispensed of Tsung-Hua Yang, who was the No.1 Junior player in the ITF in 2008.

Serving first Greg got off to a sluggish start, losing his 2nd service game and going 1-3 down. Greg got his feet moving and held serve then broke Reid to level the score at 3-3. Some more good serving and returning saw him break Reid again to serve out the set 6-3, having won 5 games in a row.

Reid held his serve and then pressured Greg on his 1st service game of the 2nd set. Greg hung tough in a long, many deuce game and held for 1-1. He then turned the tables on Reid and broke Reid’s serve to go a break up at 2-1, then held his own serve for a 3-1 lead. Greg said he then had many opportunities on Reid’s service games but just could not convert. Greg was holding serve well though and games went with serve to 5-4, where Greg confidently served out the set and the match to love, winning 6-3, 6-4.

Oz Summer Tour continued Update #2

Day 2 of the Challenger Tournament in Burnie, Tasmania and Greg was playing in the 1st round of the doubles, partnered by 20 year-old Kiwi Daniell Marcus. They were up against fellow Australian’s Dayne Kelly and Jarryd Maher, both from Melbourne. On paper and ranking Greg and Marcus were the favourites.

In a match with sudden death deuces and a match tie-break 3rd set if required Greg said it was a totally frustrating match.

Greg and Marcus dominated the 1st set, not giving up one deuce (sudden death point) on their serve and breaking their opponents twice to win the 1st set 6-2.

The 2nd set was much the same, with Greg & Marcus again holding serve easily. They had multiple opportunities to break their opponent’s serve but on each occasion they did not win the sudden death point, their opponents getting the game, and scores went to 4-5 with Greg serving. In the only time of the match Greg and Marcus faced a sudden death point, which also happened to be set-point, and lost it when Kelly just teed-off on Greg’s serve and the ball went in. Set to Kelly & Maher 6-4.

The match tie-break set ensued (1st to 10 points by a margin of 2). Points went on serve with serve to 1-2, Marcus left a ball which fell in and then missed an easy overhead in the net and suddenly they were down 1-4. They rallied but Kelly & Maher had the momentum and served superbly to not let Greg and Marcus back into the tie-break. Kelly and Maher broke again, to eventually run out winners of the tie-break 10-3, and the match 2-6, 6-4, (10-3).

Oz Summer Tour continued Update #1

The start of February 2010 sees Greg in Burnie Tasmania for a Challenger event, the only one in Australia. (And they don’t know what’s wrong in Australian tennis? – more tennis events in Oz for the mid ranked player’s please!!!)

Seeded No. 7 in a rather strong Men’s line-up event, Greg’s 1st round match was the feature match of the day, on the Centre Court at 6pm. He was up against fellow Aussie, giant 22 year-old Sam Groth, recently returned from a 4 month lay-off for an arm injury. Sam has dropped down the rankings as a result, currently ranked 279, but with a high ranking of 220. A tough 1st round for both players...

Greg said Sam appeared very nervous for the match held in front of a large evening crowd. It was Greg, serving first, who got the 1st break and went to a 5-2 lead. He had a set point on Sam’s serve but a loss of concentration and a few loose shots saw Sam hold serve to go to 5-3. Greg then served out the set confidently 6-3, to go a set up.

Greg said he recognised that he was a bit flat at the start of the 2nd set and was playing to Sam’s forehand too much. He rectified the matter and went to Sam’s backhand more and then switched up to the forehand. Sam was playing a lot better than the 1st set and games went with serve to 3-3, Greg then had a break-point on Sam’s serve but could not convert, holding his own serve as well, to get to 4-4. Greg then stepped up his attack, returning well and again forcing breakpoint, this time converting to go 5-4 up. He served out the next game confidently to love, for a solid 6-3, 6-4 win.

Greg said he had served well, never giving up a deuce game, nor a break-point opportunity, on his serve and returning very well to put Sam under pressure. No doubt his excellent match against big serving Ivo Karlovic in the doubles at the Oz Open helped, where Greg returned very well. The experience of playing before large crowds also helped him with playing the feature match before a crowd at Burnie.

Oz Open Summary - Doubles Round #2

Second round of the doubles saw Greg and Kaden face up against the giant Croatian 30 year-old Ivo Karlovic, currently ranked 39 in the ATP singles (but that is set to rise after his 4th round showing in the Oz Open singles this year) and his partner 33 year-old Serbian Dusan Vemic, ranked a low 827 in the singles but concentrating now on doubles with a ranking of 88 in the doubles. Karlovic has a current doubles ranking of 172, with a high rank of 44.

With years of experience between them and Ivo standing a mighty 6ft 10in it was some formidable opposition facing our lads.

In the twilight on an rapidly cooling outside court it was Greg and Kaden who produced some stunning doubles tennis in the 1st set, returning the bombs which Karlovic delivered up with aplomb, and breaking Ivo’s serve mid set to go ahead and then serve out the set well, winning it 6-3.

With our pair surprising the more experienced pair it was a stunned Vemic who served 1st in the 2nd set and, not getting much help from a lethargic looking Karlovic, losing his serve for Greg and Kaden to go 1-0, a break up. Kaden held serve for 2-0 and then Karlovic faced another break-point on his serve, giving Greg and Kaden the opportunity to take a strangle-hold on the match with a potential double break. A few good serves and plays later and Karlovic had snuffed out that opportunity. Greg served and held for a 3-1 lead, then Vemic held for 3-2. Kaden then did not have a particularly good service game and after a few loose shots by both Greg and Kaden they surrendered their lead, 3-3. Games went with serve, with Greg and Kaden again matching their opponents and creating a few half-chances. At 5-6 down it was Greg who faced the pressure of serving to stay in the match. A missed over head and then good play from the opposition saw Greg lose his serve and a very close fought 2nd set 5-7.

1 set-all.

The 3rd set saw all four players playing at their best again. Mid-set Greg and Kaden were not able to convert break-point opportunities and then saved some chances on their own serve. Games went to 5-6 again, with Greg aging acing the pressure of serving to aty in the set, and this time the match. A hotly disputed line-call went against the Kaden at deuce, bringing up match point to Karlovic & Vemic. A good first serve by Greg negated that opportunity. Then Greg served a 2nd serve ace out wide to Karlovic, bringing up game point but they could not convert. A double fault to Karlovic by Greg brought up match-point to the opposition again and this time they were able to get onto Greg’s serve and won the point, winning the set 7-5 and a hard fought match 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.

Oz Open Summary - Doubles Round #1

Greg and his partner, 23 year-old Queenslander Kaden Hensel, were fortunate enough to be granted a wild card into the Main Draw doubles tournament. Kaden is an ex-American College player (Tennesee) who, after graduating (bright lad), had his first year on the tournament circuit last year, improving both his singles (444) and doubles (185) rankings considerably. Greg by comparison is 250 and 495 respectively, Kaden having played a lot more doubles events than Greg.

In the first round they were up against a very solid and experienced pairing of 31 year-old Belgium Christophe Rochus and 28 year-old Italian Paolo Lorenzi, currently ranked 85 and 83 in the ATP singles respectively. With Kaden and Greg both over 6 foot 3 inches, they towered over the European pair who are both under 6 foot tall.

Greg and Kaden played some excellent tennis in the 1st set, going up an early break, but then being pegged back by the opposition, but holding their own serves to get the set to the tie-break at 6 all in games. They played an excellent tie-break, getting the mini-breaks without giving up ground on their own serve and won the tie-break 7-3 and the set 7-6.

The second set saw our lads a bit flat, giving up a break of serve mid-set and not being able to recover, losing the set 3-6. Match tied at 1-set-all.

The 3rd set saw Greg and Kaden playing at their best again but unable to convert half-chances and break-point opportunities, also saving a break-point opportunity, to get to 5-5 in games. They held easily for a 6-5 lead and then forced two match points on the opposition serve at 15-40. The first match point was well saved but on the next match point Kaden missed a good volley chance to win the match and that opportunity disappeared, games going to 6-6.

Unperturbed by the missed match points, Kaden and Greg again played a very solid tie-break, going ahead early, holding their own serves and breaking their opponents again to get ahead 5-2 and then serving out the tie-break 7-2 to win the 3rd set and the match 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-6(2), to progress to the 2nd round.

Oz Open Summary - Singles

In summary, Greg missed out on a wild card into the Main Draw of the Singles but did get the nod from Tennis Australia for a berth in the doubles.

In singles qualifying Greg was fortunate to miss a seeded player in the draw (or was he?) and matched up against 21 year-old Ivan Sergeyev, current ATP ranking 206. The match was one of very high quality, with Greg in control in the 1st set, winning the set 6-3. Ivan kept the pressure up to Greg and improved as the match progressed. Games were even until 4-4, then Greg blinked with Sergeyev winning 5 games in a row to win the set 6-4, and go an early break up in the second leading 3-0. Greg had an opportunity to break back but Sergeyev closed that out with an ace, maintaining a high standard of play to run out winner 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Greg was shattered but happy that he had played a high quality match. Interestingly Greg’s stats showed he hit just 11 unforced errors to 19 winners in the 1st set, more than enough to win the set. His 2nd set stats were equally as good, 7 u/f to 14 winners, but unfortunately Sergeyev’s were better at 2 u/f to 11 winners. 3rd set stats were also up there but Sergevey just shaded him.

2010 Oz Summer #2

Continuing in the Australian summer of Tennis, Greg did not make the cut for the Qualifying of a very strong tournament line-up in the ATP 250 MedibanK International at Homebush, Sydney... but was granted a wild card entry to compete in the qualifying of his home-town event.

The draw Gods saw Greg line up against the No. 8 seed, 28 year-old Taylor Dent, currently ranked 83 on the ATP world ranking. Dent, whose father Phil played Davis Cup for Australia, boasts a ranking high of 21 in 2005, but had been sidelined on and off for three years with a back injury. Now fully recovered, BIG serving Dent has been on a ranking rise for the last year.

On a very hot and humid day, Dent served first and, courtesy of two double faults Greg had him at 0-40 in the first game. Some big serving saved Dent and Greg was not able to convert. Some excellent play saw Greg keep pace with Dent and hold serve for games to go to 2-2. Greg then capitalised on some poor serving and pressurised Dent with some good returning, forcing break-point and then converting to go 3-2 up. Greg then held his own service games to get to 5-3 up, serving for the set. Two good serves saw Greg go to 30-0 up but a netted back-hand by Greg saw Dent back into the game. Dent made some great returns and got Greg to 30-40. Greg was unable to save the break point and Dent was back in the set at 4-5. A good service game from Dent saw the scores level at 5-5.

Greg’s next game went to deuce, but he held to go 6-5 up. On Dent’s serve Greg then had set-point at 30-40 but a booming Dent serve negated that opportunity. A further two set points were created by Greg with the same result, Dent using his big serve to hold and go to the tie-break at 6-6. Dent got a mini-break on Greg’s 1st serve. Greg got the break-back to get to 1-2 down, but Dent was not to be denied, going 4-2 up as they switched ends. A further two good serves saw him get to 6-3 up, and then winning the tie-break 7-3, and the 1st set 7-6.

Dent had the advantage of serving 1st in the 2nd set and at 1-0 up made some good returns to break Greg’s serve 1st up. After that it was a confident Dent who increased his lead to go 3-0 up. Greg steadied the ship to get on the board at 1-3 but with both player’s struggling to serve in the midday sun, Dent just held his serve but Greg did not, which saw Dent serving for the set at 5-1 up. Greg rallied and put pressure on Dent who, at 30-40 down held serve but then gifted Greg another break-point with a double fault, which Greg duly converted to stay in the match at 2-5 down. Greg served well to get to 3-5, but Dent was not going to give Greg two chances and served out the set and the match, winning 7-6(3), 6-3.

A good match for Greg but one which was frustrating as the big serve of Dent worked just well enough to deny him the opportunities he created. Greg can be proud of the match he played and take some confidence from it.

2010 Oz Summer #1

Greg’s New Year saw him in Brisbane to contest the qualifying at the Brisbane International ATP 250 tournament. Greg was seeded No.7 in the qualifying draw, in which 4 of the 32 contestants qualify for the main draw.

Briefly, as the event was held last Saturday and Sunday, Greg played 28 year-old Australian Sadik Kadir, currently ranked 389 in the first round. In a close 1st set Greg saved one break point and held break point on Sadik’s serve on 3 occasions but could not convert, games going with serve to 5-5. Greg then applied more pressure and broke Sadik to lead 6-5 and the serve out the set 7-5. In the 2nd set Greg broke Sadik in the 1st and 3rd games, holding his own serve to go to a 4-0 lead and then cruised to a 7-5, 6-2 win.

The 2nd round saw him up against another Australian, this time 23 year-old former US College player Kaden Hensel, who had improved his ranking from over 1000 to his personal high of 435 in less than a year. On a 31 degree very humid morning it was a close 1st set in which Greg did not give up a break point but could not convert break opportunities of Hensel’s serve, games going with serve to 6-6. In the tie-break a frustrated Greg played a few loose points and found himself 5-1 down. He dug deep and turned the set around, winning 5 points in a row, getting to 6-5 up serving for the set. His run did not continue and Hensel broke back. Greg had another set point on Hensel’s serve and saved a couple of set points as well, but it was Hensel who got the break and pouched the tiebreak 9-7 and the 1st set 7-6.

Greg said that in the humidity they were both drained and both took a toilet break for as long as was possible to try and recover. Greg said Hensel looked in worse shape than he and it showed as Greg broke early to race to a 3-1 lead in the 2nd set. The heaven’s then opened up and a long rain delay ensued. On the resumption Hensel had recovered somewhat and held serve with Greg 3-2 up. Greg served for 4-2, then broke Hensel and served out the set, winning 6-2. One set all.

Greg said that Hensel then served 4 first serves to win the 1st game. In a long 2nd game, in which Greg said he served 5 first serves, luck was on Hensel’s side as he cracked two return winners, a dead let cord return and a shanked lob winner return to break Greg. Hensel then cracked another 4 first serves to close Greg out and go to a 3-0 lead. In another long game an increasingly confident Hensel again forced Greg to deuce and then broke to lead 4-0. Another good service game, in which he served his first 2nd serve of the set, saw Hensel lead 5-0, winning the set 6-1 and the match 7-6(7), 2-6, 6-1.

AO Wild Card Play-off #4

Quarter-final round of the Australian Open Wild card Play-off, and Greg was up against gun junior player Bernard Tomic, who at 17 is making a big name for himself in the tennis world. Winner of two Junior ITF Grand Slams (Australian and US) Tomic won a round at the senior Australian Open in January this year. Greg has played Tomic in the juniors about three years ago and ran out an easy winner then, so will be hoping to repeat the dose, even though Tomic is at least 18 inches taller and a lot better player, with heaps more experience than back then. Greg will be confident of winning if he plays well and his serve is firing.


In mid afternoon, after two ladies matches, on a good weather day for Melbourne, it was Tomic who served 1st but Greg who got the jump-start by breaking Tomic in the 1st game to lead 1-0, helped by a double fault from Tomic. Tomic however was straight back at Greg and also broke immediately to get back to 1-1. Nerves dispatched with, both players held serve to 2-2, whereupon Tomic held and then was able to break Greg who was not serving a high enough percentage of 1st serves, to go 4-2 up. In the next service game Greg got Tomic to 15-40, but was not able to convert. A long deuce game ensued but Greg missed the opportunities and Tomic held for 5-3. Greg held for 5-4 but was not able to deny Tomic serving out the set 6-3.

Greg served confidently the 1st game of the 2nd set but Tomic responded in kind. Tomic then had 3 break-point opportunities in the next game but Greg was able to hold-on for a 2-1 lead. Serving at 100% 1st serves for the set thus far, Tomic levelled at 2-2. Games went with serve to 3-3, then Tomic took advantage of Greg’s lower 1st serve percentage and brought up break-points at 15-40. Greg saved to go to deuce but could not deny Tomic who eventually broke Greg to lead 4-3. Greg responded and brought up break-point and broke right back to level at 4-4.

This time though Tomic was not to be denied, and broke Greg’s serve again to lead 5-4. Greg was not able to make in-roads on Tomic, who was still serving well, and it was Tomic who served out the match, winning 6-3, 6-4 to proceed to the semi-finals.

AO Wild Card Play-off #3

Third match in the round robin stage of the Australian Open Wild card Play-off, saw Greg play against 19 year-old Dane Kelly, who had lost both of his previous round-robin matches. Greg and Dane train together so know each other’s games well. Greg boast’s the pair’s last encounter win, although it was a very close 7-6, 7-5 affair.

With the temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celcius (yes it is being held in Melbourne) and strong gusty winds (Melbourne for sure), the conditions were not conducive for good tennis, for either player, both of whom have big serves.

Not sure how the games progressed but it was a close 1st set, with Greg getting the critical break of serve right at the end of the set and pouching the 1st set 7-5.

The 2nd set was much the same, this time Greg managing to get the break earlier in the set and then serving the set out 6-4, to have a short two set match on a very hot and windy day.

Another solid win for Greg, which sees him top his Group with 3 wins, no losses and advance to the quarter-final knock-out stage of the tournament. Not sure he plays from the other Groups yet. The players have a rest day tomorrow and play the quarter-final matches on Friday.

AO Wild Card Play-off #2

Continuing in the round robin stage of the Australian Open Wild card Play-off, Greg’s second match saw him up against peer and good mate from Brisbane, John Millman. Coming off a shoulder reconstruction late last year, Millman has had a stellar year this year, advancing his ranking from the mid 500’s to 309 this week. John’s athleticism and consistency are his main weapons, relying on attrition and back court play rather than overt aggression to wear his opponents down and fashion a win. Greg and John first played each other at Melbourne Park as 12 year-olds, where John won the match when Greg retired at 1-1 in sets with a badly twisted knee. Their latest encounter saw John beat Greg in a long 3 set match in an ITF tournament.


With Greg serving first, games went with serve to 4-3, Greg up. Greg said he got Millman to 0-30 on two occasions and 30-30 on another, on Millman’s serve, but did not return well enough to get a break-point opportunity. At 4-3 he did so and converted the opportunity to lead 5-3 and then served out the set in confident fashion.

With Millman serving 1st in the 2nd set, it was a mirror of the 1st set, games going with serve to 4-3. Then Millman applied the pressure on Greg, who, with old balls, missed a few 1st serves and dropped his serve to trail 3-5. Millman duly converted his service game to win the 2nd set 6-3 and level the match at 1 set all.

Vitally Greg was serving first, with new balls, in the 3rd set. The 1st three service games went with serve, to 2-1, Greg up. Then Greg managed to break the Millman serve to lead 3-1. The next game was a crunch game and went to four deuces before Greg managed to hold for a 4-1 lead. Millman held and Greg also had a easier service game to go to 5-2. With the pressure on Millman, Greg made some crucial returns and upped the ante, getting Millman to 0-40. On the 1st match point Millman made a few miracle “fetches”, forcing Greg to play extra shots, Greg eventually netting the ball. Desperate to break and not have to serve out the match, it was Greg’s turn to make some great returns, forcing the Millman back from the baseline and drawing the error, to win the game, the set and the match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

A good win for Greg, which sees him through to the quarter-final (knock-out stage) of the tournament. He still has another round-robin match to go, but it has no bearing on him or his opponent, Dane Kelly, advancing or not. He has two wins, Kelly none, Millman and Propoggia 1 win apiece. Millman and Propaggia play each other so only 1 of them can get to 2 wins. As 2 players from each group advance to the knock-out stage Greg is through.

AO Wild Card Play-off #1

It is crunch time of the year for all the best Aussise tennis players not ranked under 104, play-off for a Wild Card into the No. 1 event of the year, the Australian Open.

It is initially a round-robin event first 16 players with 4 groups of 4 players each, the best two from each group progressing to the final 8 knock-out stage. The aim, apart from winning the event of course, is to finish in the top 4 at least, as this could provide wild card entry to the Brisbane and/or Sydney ATP tournement or the qualifying tournaments for these events.

Seeded No. 3, Greg is in tough group with John Millman (ranked 309) Dayne Kelly (ranked 512) and Dane Propoggia (ranked 768). Greg has just snuck under the 250 mark, at his highest ranking of 248. But forget rankings, as in this environment, any of the players can win, as Bryden Klein (ranked 202) found out yesterday in going down to junior James Duckworth (ranked 1714). What a win for James.

Greg's first round - robin encounter was against Dane Propoggia, whom Greg 1st played when aged 11. Greg got the upper-hand early in the set and went an early break up, then broke again to serve for the set 5-1, closing out the set 6-1. Greg said he was serving well and only faced one break point in the set which he nullified with a timely ace.

With Dane serving first in the 2nd set Greg was playing catch-up. Dane was serving better and Greg was unable to get an advantage, although quite a few games went to deuce. Greg saved a break-point early in the set, but was ntroubled thereafter in getting to 4-4. On Dane's next serve Greg siad he upped the ante and forced dane to 0-40, converting the break-point opportinuty at the 1st instance to go up 5-4 up. Greag served out the next game to love, winning the match 6-1 6-4.

Greg was pleased with his performance and his serving on the day.
He will need to continue that fine form in his next match today, where he will be th last match on court 7 against John Millman, who rolled Dane Kelly in his 1st match.