Aug 13, 2011

USA Tour 2011 #19

The quarter finals of the Binghamton Challenger had Greg matched up against 24 year-old Slovenian Grega Zemlja, currently ranked 130, with a high rank of 111. Zemjla beat Bernard Tomic to win the Caloundra Challenger tournament in February, so will be another tough challenge for Greg.
Slovenian Grega Zemjla
Serving first Greg started confidently, serving two aces in his first service game, only to see Zemlja do the same and then get Greg to 15-40. Greg saved 3 points before Zemlja broke to lead 3-1, then serve for a 3-1 lead. The next game was a long one, seeing Greg go from 40-15 to saving 3 break-points, then having a game point before again getting broken to fall 1-4, then 1-5 behind. Greg rallied to win the next game then had Zemlja facing two break-points at 5-2. Zemlja saved and served out the game to win the 1st set 6-2.
Greg started the 2nd set with an ace but Zemlja countered and after a long deuce game broke Greg to lead 1-0. Greg responded and had Zemlja at 15-40 but Zemlja saved and after another long deuce game held to go 2-0 up. A tiring Greg then got 30-0 up before falling behind again and losing his serve to go an ominous 3-0 double-break down. Zemlja held to love and then again forced Greg to break-point and converted to take 5-0 lead, then serve out the set 6-0.
A resounding win for Zemlja, but there were some long rallies. Greg failed to close out his service games when ahead and di not win enough points on Zemlja's second serves. A disappointing end for Greg in a good tournament display.

No comments:

Post a Comment