USA in the Autumn 2012 #4

The Main Draw of the Challenger in Sacramento did not offer up the best draw for Greg, who was drawn to play the No.8 seed, young 20 year-old Denis Kudla, who is in good form and near his high rank of 158 achieved two weeks ago, ranked 160 this week. A tough match for Greg who has had two hard qualifying matches in the last two day, which could leave him a bit tired but also well conditioned to the court surface and speed and improving in confidence.
The first set was a see-sawing affair with Greg forced to face five break point opportunities but he was serving well, and managed to save four of the five points. In constrast Greg forced Kudla to defend 6 break point opportunites. At 3-3 Greg held serve and then broke Kudla for second time to lead 5-3 and serve for the set, which he managed to do, to win the first set 6-4, having served 4 aces in the set.

Denis Kudla

Greg got the second set off to a great start, breaking Kudla in his first service game and then holding serve to take a 2-0 lead. Greg then got Kudla to 15-40 and although Kudla saved the first break-point Greg converted to go a double-break up at 3-0. Greg served out his next game to lead 4-0. Greg had the momentum and a despondent Kudla conceded his next service game to give a confident Greg a triple break 5-0 lead. Greg served out the set and the match delivering a second set bagel to Kudla, with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-0 win.
Greg said he had served well, had moved well and is feeling good after a short match. Amazing what a good string of wins can do for the confidence. He said that he has been able to work on specific aspects of his game after each match with Dave Bidmeade and having his company has also been very positive, with Dave a supporting face in the crowd during matches. Greg has a rest day tomorrow before tackling the second round match.