Oz Summer 2012-13 #20

Greg was playing on the last day of the Westlakes Tournament, which meant that he was in a final, which has been a long time coming, even if it was the doubles final. Greg and James faced up against fellow Aussies Sam Groth and Matt Reid. Ironically Greg, Sam and Matt had been housing together in housing in Adelaide for the week and now faced each other across the net again, having played against each just last week in the first round in Burnie, Sam and Matt victors then.
Both teams were unseeded and there was little to pick between the teams, all players having big games and big serves, with Sam the leader in that department. James led the proceedings off, serving first and quickly had three game points at 40-15 (in the sudden death decue format), but they were unable to convert and at deuce Groth and Reid seized their opportunity and broke serve, to lead 1-0.

Big serving Sam Groth

Groth held serve, consolidating the break, and games went with serve to 4-2. A shanked return lob winner saw Groth and Reid force Greg to deuce on his serve again broke at deuce to lead 5-2. With Reid serving for the set Greg and James returned well to get Groth and Reid to 0-40 and have four break point opportunities, but Reid held firm and got back to deuce and then converted the sudden death point to win the first set 6-2. Greg and James had served the better but their opposition, with a bit more luck, had taken the opportunites and won the set.

Matt Reid

At 1-1 in the second set, on Greg's serve and with three good 1st serves, a return winner and two good lobs from Groth and Reid, both of which dropped on the base-line had Greg and James scrambling and facing three break points at 0-40. Greg and James were not able to save the break and fell 1-2 behind. Reid consolidated the break and James then held serve before the applied the pressure on Groth's serve presented Greg and James with break-point. James was unable to return a good second serve from Groth who then hit an unreturnable 1st serve to stay ahead at 4-2. Games then went with serve to 5-4, with Reid serving for the match. Greg and James kept the score close but at 40-30 Reid was able to convert the first match point, to win the match 6-2, 6-4 and take the doubles title.

Greg & James at the trophy presentation

Greg and James were obviously disappointed with the result. They had served better than their opponents but had not been able to take the opportunities the created. Groth and Reid had returned well and had kept the pressure on Greg and James, playing the clutch points better and getting more of the luck required to win these matches.