Oz Summer 2012-13 #21

It was back to Melbourne Park this week for the Australian Pro-tour,
for an ITF Futures $15k event, a quantum step-down from the Challenger tour. It has, however, almost the same competitors playing as in the last two Challenger Tournaments, so is a strong field for a Futures event. The players having opted to stay in the country in order to play the Challenger event in Sydney at the end of February, so are playing this event.
Greg's opponent in the first round needed no introduction, as it is a player Greg has seen across the net quite a bit, larger than life 25-year-old Australian Sam Groth. Greg leads the Pro-circuit head-to-head 3-0 but their last meeting was a close 7-6, 7-6 affair.

Fastest-server 263 Sam Groth

Groth started serving first and Greg was immediately on the attack, breaking Groth to lead 1-0. Groth was having trouble with his risk and had an injury time-out straight after that game. On the resumption Greg consolidated the break. Groth was clearly experiencing some pain whilst playing but it did not stop him sending down some bombs and was able to hold his serve, games going with serve to 4-2, before Greg managed to break him again to lead and win the set 6-2.
After some more attention for his injury Groth continued in the second set but after Greg broke him again to lead 2-1, he decided enough is enough and retired from the match, giving Greg the victory.
A hollow win for Greg but he does advance to the next round, to be payed on Thursday.