May 19, 2011

Asian Tournies #7

In Fergana, Uzbekistan it was an overcast day, with rain threatening, which saw Greg, the No.6 seed for this tournament, face up against his peer, 21 year-old Finn Harri Heliovaara, currently ranked 309, with a high rank of 272 in April, so in good form.
In a match delayed by rain three times, it was Greg who got ahead in the first set, breaking Heliovaara, and going on to take the set 6-3. Heliovaara raised his game in the 2nd set and frustrated Greg, denying him some opportunities to get break-points, and games went evenly all the way to the tie-break at 6-6. Greg could not match a fired up Heliovaara in the tie-break however. He broke Greg early and then continued to win all the tie-break points in a 7-0 rout, to win the 2nd set 7-6 and tie up the match at 1 set all.
Despite more rain, Greg was able to steady the ship and, serving first, held his service games but was unable to make any in-roads into Heliovaara's serve, games going to 4-4. Then at 30-30 on Greg's serve more persistent rain came and he match was post-poned, very delicately poised.
All for Greg to do when he returns to continue with his serve on commencement of the next day's play. Wish him luck...

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