Oz Summer 2012-13 #10

The second week of the Australian Open saw four of the out-side courts hosting a a different form of singles as the finals of the Asia-Pacific Tennis League took place. The Australian version of team tennis involving finalists from the Australian States as well as a from New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, who had qualified by winning their respective area leagues, is based on a similar scoring format as World Team tennis with shortened sets (best of three "first to four" sets, with a five point tie-break at 3-all, sudden death deuce games, sudden death tie-breaks and no lets), which makes for quick results and some surprise results.
Greg was playing for the NSW team ATP Sydney, comprising Adam Feeney, Greg, Matt Barton, Nick Lindahl and retired player, now coach Ryan Henry, led by coach Luke Bourgeois.

Greg in ATL colours

Seeded No. 2 out of eight teams, the ATP Sydney's first match, effectively a quarter final, was against the WA Giants. Greg, playing at No.2 faced up against Adam Carey, on his birthday, a relatively unknown older player. Carey started on fire and broke Greg early. Greg twice had Carey at 15-40 in the first set, but Carey rode his luck with some bet cord serve winners and good serve and volley winners, managing to hold serve and pouch the first set 4-1. Greg hit back, stepping up the pace and won the second set 4-1 and the deciding 3rd set 4-2. With all the Sydney players winning and backing up in the doubles as well, it was a clean sweep for Sydney, who advanced to the semi-final.

Michale Venus for the NZ Kauris


The semis had ATP Sydney face a sterner test in the form of the NZ Kauris, and Greg faced a good friend Michael Venus, who is currently ranked 514. Greg was moving so well and returned exceptionally and a sluggish Venus and broke Venus twice to take the first set 4-0. Venus tenaciously fought back and starting moving and serving better, breaking Greg to take the second set 4-2. Greg immediately got a break up in the 3rd set but Venus Broke back on a sudden death deuce and took the set to the 5 point tie-break at 3-3. Greg went ahead but Venus levelled and the match was decided on a sudden death point at 4-4, Venus winning that last point to win the match 4-1, 0-4, 4-3(4). The other three singles went the way of the Sydney side and the doubles were shared, Greg and Matt Barton winning 4-2, 4-2 over NZ's Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell, so the ATP Sydney won the semis and advanced to the finals.
On the other side of the draw the No.1 seeded Liston Seagulls from Melbourne, comprising Sam Groth, Matt Reid, Rubin Statham and James Lemke had reached the final having disposed of the strong Brisbane side led by John Millman. Adam Feeney was to play Groth, Greg faced up against Reid, Matt Barton had Statham and Nick Lindahl against Lemke.
Reid got the better of Greg in the first set, getting the vital break and winning 4-2. Greg hit back and broke Matt twice in the 2nd set to win it 4-0 and level the match at 1 set all. In the 3rd it was Greg who broke first to lead 2-1, but Reid pegged him back in the sudden death format and games went to the tie-break at 3-3.
Unfortunately Matt shaded Greg in the tie-break, winning the 3rd set 4-3 and a close match 4-2, 0-4, 4-3.

The victorious Liston Seagulls

The other matches were also close affairs, with 5 sets decided by a tie-break but the overall results going the way of the Victorian side. The doubles were shared, with Greg and Matt Barton getting a domicum of revenge in beating Groth and Reid 1-4, 4-1, 10-6, in yet another tie-break but the Liston Seagulls were the victors of the final by 4 rubbers to 2.
An interesting inaugural series which hopefully will expand in the future and receive better crowd support as it gains momentum.