USA Spring 2011 - Update #5

Indian Wells, east of Palm Springs in California, was the venue for Greg's next tournament. Indian Wells is a ATP Masters 1000 tournament, into which Greg had gained entry to the qualifying. Greg's first round match was against veteran 34 year-old Austrian Stefan Koubek. Koubek is currently ranked 202 but has a high rank of 20 and has been a regular in the top 100 for the past 12 years, so it will be another stern test for Greg, but one which is not insurmountable.
Koubek started serving and easily won the first four points against a nervous Greg. Greg also held serve for 1-1 and then in the 3rd game had Koubek at 15-40, converting the break to take a surprise 2-1. Greg held for a 3-1 lead and then forced Koubek to 0-40. Koubek respondd to get back to deuce but Greg brought up another break-point and won the point to go a double break up at 4-1. Greg then served out the set 6-2, having had to face no break points in the set.

In the second set Koubek again held and then brought up a break point opportunity on Greg's serve, which Greg managed to save, games going with serve to 2-2. Greg then again broke Koubek to lead 3-2, then 4-2, games going to 5-3. With Koubek serving to stay in the match Greg got him to 30-40 and had match point. Koubek saved three match points before Greg was able to break him and win the set 6-3, for a comprehensive 6-2, 6-3 win.

A good confidence boosting win for Greg. He served well in the 1st set but dropped off at the initial stages of the 2nd before improving towards the end of the match. He will play his next match tomorrow.