USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #19

US Open time, qualifying tournament, saw Greg resident in Park Avenue and up against the No. 4 seed, 26 year-old Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin, currently ranked 115, with a high ranking of 82. A very tough assignment for Greg on a gusty, drizzly, cool New York day.

Play got underway about an hour later than scheduled due to the drizzle delaying start of play, but Greg was ready and serving first held well and then got  Roger-Vasselin (RV) to 0-40. RV responded and managed to hold, denying Greg the opportunity to take an early lead. Greg then faced break-points on his service game but was not able to save, dropping his serve to go 1-2 down. RV held for a 3-1 lead. He again pressurised Greg, getting to deuce and then bringing up break-point, converting to take a double break lead at 4-1. Greg was quick to get RV to 30-40 in the next game but RV was able to fight his way out and hold serve to go 5-1 up. Greg held for 2-5, then again had RV at 15-40 but could not convert, RV pouching the 1st set 6-2. The stats for the 1st set were very even, But the telling stat was that Greg was 0 from 8 break-point opportunities, while RV was 2 ffrom 4. Greg was creating more opportunities but converting none. Greg said RV had played very well in the 1st set, on a slick, fast court and that he had not played badly either, missing too many 1st serves.

Serving first in the 2nd set Greg managed to hold serve after a few deuce points, then games went with serve to 2-2. Then at 3-2 up Greg got another two break-point opportunities on RV's serve and broke to lead 4-2. Greg held and RV held and Greg was serving for the set at 5-3. Again, like last weekend Greg faltered, dropping his serve and allowing RV to close at 5-4. This time though, learning from last weekend, Greg kept his head high and stayed on the task, getting RV to 15-40 and converting to win the set 6-4 and level the match at 6-4. Greg said he had changed his game slightly, taking a bit of pace off his serve and getting more 1st serves in, playing more up and down the court to take away the angles which RV liked and also playing more to RV's fore-hand. He was also slicing more to slow the game down and negate the "slickness" of the courts. It must of worked...

Serving first again in the 3rd set, Greg again had a mammoth opening game but managed to hold. He then put the pressure on RV and brought up break-point opportunities, converting to go 2-0 up. After another long deuce game Greg consolidated the break, going 3-0 up. He again managed to get RV to deuce and then brought up a break-point, converting to take a 4-0 lead. The Frenchman's spirit was broken and Greg held easily for 5-0, then broke RV again to win the 3rd set 6-0 and advance to the second round of qualifying with a come from behind 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 win. Well done young man.
Greg plays his 2nd round match on Thursday. He needs to win 3 matches to advance to the main draw of the tournament. 1 match down, 9 to go - for the title.