Summer in the States 2012 #3

Despite the dire weather forecast and gale force winds the Innisbrook Futures tournament did manage to get through the qualifying matches on Monday.
In the third round Greg faced up against young 18 year-old Charles DePaolo, yet to earn his first ranking point. Greg said the wind was howling throughout, with tornado warnings in the area. The courts were not in the best condition due to the deluge received in near hurricane conditions on the previous day, but he managed to dig deep and put his experience to good use. Greg dominated the 1st set, breaking DePaolo three times to win the set 6-1. In the 2nd set Greg dropped the intensity slightly and let DePaolo stay with him, games going with serve to 5-5 before Greg broke DePaolo again, holding serve to win the 2nd set 7-5 and progress to the final round of qualifying.

Local Matt Lasprilla



In the final round another young 18 year-old American, Matthew Lasprilla, shaped up against Greg. Also not yet ranked, Lasprilla had not dropped a set in getting through the first three rounds of qualifying, so would be a tough test for Greg. With the wind still howling and the match delayed and disrupted by rain squalls, Greg was again able to draw on his greater experience to comfortable wi the first set, breaking Lasprilla twice to win 6-2.

The second set was a bit closer but Greg remained in control, breaking Lasprilla just the once in a 6-3 scoreline, to win the match 6-2, 6-3 and qualify for the main draw of the tournament.
Having achieved his aim if getting some match practise and winning some matched, albeit in horrendous conditions, Greg now has the opportunity of playing some better quality matches and getting some points for his troubles. He is scheduled to play his 1st round main draw match on Wednesday, Florida time.