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.
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