Oz Summer 2012-13 #12

 

Burnie, Tasmania

A cold and drizzly day greeted the players for the second round of the Challenger tournament in Burnie. Greg was up against a good friend of his, 25 year-old Rubin Statham from New Zealand, currently ranked 340, who, as a solid baseline player, would be relishing playing in the conditions with the heavier, slowerballs. Greg and Statham had played against each other, with Greg slightly ahead in the head-to-head, and have trained together extensively, so know each other's games well.
Greg started the proceedings and held serve well, and then the rain came down, chasing the player's indoors for another three hours. Upon the resumption of play it was Statham who got the jump on Greg, breaking early to go to a 4-2 lead. Serving at over 75% first serves, Statham was able to hold off Greg, denying him any opportunity to break back and took the first set 6-4.
In the second set Greg was unchallenged on serve and held his serve easily. He set about breaking the serve of Statham and got him to deuce in five of his service games, bringing up break point twice. But Greg was unable to convert those chances, and with Statham serving at an incredible 85% of first serves, games went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6.

Rubin (Jose) Statham

Statham got off to a flyer in the tie-break and on the back of Greg starting with an aggressive double fault, two good 1st serves and another pressure double fault by Greg, Statham led 4-0. Greg set about reducing the gap, holding serve and breaking back one serve, to get to 4-5, Statham serving. But Statham continued his good serving, solid under presuure and won the last two points of the match to win the tie-break 7-4 and a hard fought match 6-4, 7-6.
Not the result Greg was looking for but Statham's good serving (88% with 77% won in the 2nd set) in difficult conditions, with slow balls made it a very difficult match for Greg. Double faults at crucial stages of the match by Greg was the difference ultimately.
Greg's first round doubles match was postponed until Thursday due to the rain, but with more rain forecast for Thursday it looks like he may not have a match on his birthday.
Happy Birthday Greg.