Australian Summer 2012 #15

The quarter-final round of the Caloundra Challenger brought together the same two players who faced each other in the 1st round of the previous tournament in Burnie, with Greg the loser. 22 year-old Australian John Millman, currently ranked 510, leads the head-to-head 4-2 in Futures and Challenger tournaments, and will start favourite for this match after his straight sets win over Greg last week.

Pensive Greg

Millman served first and both players held serve to 3-2. Greg then played a loose game to fall 0-40 behind, managing to save one breakpoint before Millman broke to lead 4-2 and then win the set 6-3. The match was going according to script.

The trend continued in the second set, Greg serving first, as Millman broke to go 2-1 up. Greg then decided to alter the script and broke back immediately to level at 2-2. Greg held serve to love and then proceeded to break Millman again to lead 4-2. Greg held his nerve serving at 5-3, when Millman saved three set points and then forced Greg to save a break-point, before Greg prevailed and won the set 6-3, to tie the match at 1 set all. An epic match was unfolding.

John Millman at Brisbane

The third set promised to be a thriller. Greg was the first to take the advantage, coming from 15-40 down on Millman's serve to break at the second opportunity, to lead 2-1. Greg held and then quickly had Millman facing another 3 break-points at 0-40. Greg broke again and led 4-1 with a double break. But "Road Runner" Millman was not done, breaking back one serve immediately, and hold serve to love, to keep the pressure on Greg at 4-3. Greg held for a 5-3 lead and quickly brought up 3 match points with Millman serving at 0-40. But Millman served 11 out of 12 first serves in the game to save those break points and then another, to hold serve and force Greg to serve for the match. Was Jonesie up to it?

Greg at Australian Open

Millman was smiling as Greg went 0-40 down and faced three break-points. Greg then emulated Millman, saving those break-points to get to deuce and then bring up his 5th match point. This time he converted, to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and advance to the semi-final, getting his revenge for last week's loss to Millman  and closing the head-to-head to 4-3.

Well done Greg, who displayed great fortitude and metal strength in the match, which waxed and waned continually in the favour of both players, especially at the end of that topsy-turvy third set.