A Trip to Ecuador #4

The quarter-final round of the Challenger in Manta, played on hard court, had Greg up against 23 year-old Argentinian Maximiliano Estevez, ranked 352, who accounted for the No. 4 seed in the previous round
Serving first Greg got off to a confident start, holding his first serve to love, then getting Estevez to deuce before he held serve. Greg then brought up a break-point on  serve at 2-1 and converted to go 3-1, then 4-1 up. Both players then held serve for Greg to serve for the set at 5-3. This he did, ending off the set with a double fault followed by two aces, to take the set 6-3.

Centre Court at night

With Estevez serving first in the 2nd set, Greg's intensity dropped away slightly and Estevez took advantage, breaking Greg at 2-1, to go ahead 3-1. Greg was unable to make inroads into Estevez's serve and in a mirror of the first set, games went with serve to 5-3, with Estevez leading. He served out the set 6-3, to level the match at 1 set all.

Maximiliano Estevez

Greg now served first in the 3rd set, in real danger of getting beaten. Greg was still serving at above 50% and held his service games well, but Estevez was matching him, serving slightly better and Greg could not get him to buckle, games going with serve to 4-4. Estevez then upped his returns and even with Greg serving four first serves, managed to bring up a break-point opportunity at 30-40, converting to get a decisive break of serve at the end of the match. With Estevez now serving for the match Greg managed to get him to 30-30 but Estevez responded and brought up match point, converting to win the set 6-4, and a hard fought close match 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
A disappointing loss for Greg and a lost opportunity. Greg dominated the first set, having 5 break point opportunities against 1 but was not able to go on with his dominance, Estevez taking his opportunities by breaking Greg once in each set on each of the break points he created.
Another close loss in a hard fought match for Greg. At least he is in the mix and putting himself in a posiiton to win the match.
Estevez went on to be the losing finalist in the tournament.