Oz Summer 2012-13 #7

The first round of the single main draw of the Heineken Auckland Open ATP250 tournament saw Greg draw a real toughie, another veteran of the tour, 31 year old Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who has finished in the top 50 for the past five years. Seeded No.6 for this tournament, Melzer boasts a high rank of No.8 in 2011, where he was also in the top 10 for doubles, a rare occurence, and is currently ranked 29. To make things even more difficult it was a windy day in Auckland, with a stiff 35 kph billowing breeze.

Auckland's Centre Court

Greg won the toss and, playing on the Centre Court before a large crowd, chose to serve first, starting confidently and holding serve to love. Greg got Melzer to deuce in the next game but was unable to get a break point opportunity and, with both players serving well, games went with serve to 6-5, Greg serving 8 aces along the way. Greg then put the pressure on Melzer, who was serving to stay in the set, getting him to 30-40 and having a break point opportunity to win the set. But Melzer was up to the task, denying Greg and taking the set to the tie-break at 6-6. 

Greg Serving

Greg got an early break in the tie-break but Melzer pegged him back, the players changing ends at 3-3. At 4-4 Melzer broke Greg and then won his service point to lead 6-4, and have the opportunity to serve for the set with two set points in his favour.

Melzer serving

Greg dug deep and won that point and then held his own serve to deny 

Melzer and change ends at 6-6. Unfortunatey Greg dropped his next serve and presented Melzer with another set point opportunity, and on Melzer's serve. Again Greg was able to save the set point and then won Melzer's next serve as well, to bring up set point in his favour, and on his serve too, at 8-7 up. Despite missing his first serve Greg was abe to hang on and close out the tie-break 9-7. First set to Greg 7-6.

Greg salutes the crowd

With Melzer serving first in the second set, both players held serve to love, then at 1-1 Melzer raced to a 40-0 lead, then double faulted. Greg pounced on that small error and forced Melzer to deuce and then breaking point. Melzer saved that point but Greg was not to be denied, bringing up another break point and this time converting to go a break up at 2-1. With Greg serving with new balls, Melzer fought back and immediately had Greg facing three break points at 0-40. Greg dug deep again and with a well fought point, followed by two aces, Greg recovered to deuce and then held serve for a 3-1 lead. Games went with serve to 4-2, when Greg again broke a flagging Melzer to lead with a double break and at 5-2 serve for the match. Greg's nerve held and he held his serve to love, winning the second set and causing an upset, bundling out the No.6 seed in straight sets with a 7-6(9), 6-2 win.

With two top 100 scalps in two days, Greg will be delighted, the win over Melzer easily being the best result of his career to date.