In the second round of the singles in the Binghamton Challenger, Greg was up against peer 23 year-old American Michael McClune, currently ranked 362, with a high rank of 267. Greg and McClune have played each other twice, once in Juniors and Greg has won both matches. McClune howver knocked off the No.2 seed in the previous round, so will be no pushover. Opportunity beckons in the tournament for Greg as the top 5 seeds have fallen and the draw has opened up.
It was an inspired McClune in the first set, who served only 3 faults in the set at an incredible 88% first serve percentage, and transferred the pressure to Greg's serve. With only one break point being created by either player, it was unfortunately Greg who faced that point and lost it, losing a quick close set 4-6.
In the second set, the play was again even, but this time Greg faced more second serves and created the chances, but was unable to convert two break-point opportunities, whilst facing none himself, games going with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. In a closely contested tie-break it was Greg who got the decisive break, winning the tie-break 7-5 and levelling the match at 1-set all.
With McClune serving first in the third set, Greg was playing catch-up. Greg again forced McClune to face two break points but McClune was serving at above 70% again and closed out those opportunites. Games went to 4-3 with McClune leading. He then managed to get Greg to 30-40 and broke him at the first opportunity, taking a 5-3 lead. Greg tried to counter but McClune was up to the task and served out the match, winning a very close match 6-4, 6-7(5) 6-3.
A very disappointing result for Greg in a tournament which was promising much. McClune had served "off his face" and poor Greg copped a good day out for McClune, whilst not serving too bad himself.
It was an inspired McClune in the first set, who served only 3 faults in the set at an incredible 88% first serve percentage, and transferred the pressure to Greg's serve. With only one break point being created by either player, it was unfortunately Greg who faced that point and lost it, losing a quick close set 4-6.
In the second set, the play was again even, but this time Greg faced more second serves and created the chances, but was unable to convert two break-point opportunities, whilst facing none himself, games going with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. In a closely contested tie-break it was Greg who got the decisive break, winning the tie-break 7-5 and levelling the match at 1-set all.
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| Micheal McClune |
A very disappointing result for Greg in a tournament which was promising much. McClune had served "off his face" and poor Greg copped a good day out for McClune, whilst not serving too bad himself.
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