Oz Summer 2012-13 #26

A busy day loomed for Greg in the Sydney Challenger with both the second round of the singles and doubles to be played, on a hot day at Homebush. First up for Greg was the singles, which was a re-run of the Burnie match, against his doubles partner for this tournament, 24 year-old Canadian Peter Polansky, the No. 4 seed, currently ranked 179, with a high rank of 149 in September last year. Polansky has a bit of a story to tell after surviving a fall from the 3rd floor of a hotel in Mexico whilst sleepwalking when 17 years old. Google "Peter Polansky sleepwalking" to read about it. Fully recovered now of course Polansky will again test Greg to the full.

Greg serving at Homebush

Polansky served first but was not serving well and Greg immediately had him facing three break points in the first game. Greg converted to take a welcome lead in the set, holding serve to consolidate at 2-0. Polansky  faced another  three separate break points in the next game under intense pressure from Greg, but Greg was unable to convert this time, games going to 3-1. Polansky faced break point again but saved and then had the save another three break points to get to 4-3. Greg was serving well and took the score to 5-3 without facing a break point in the set. He then broke Polansky's serve to win the set 6-3 and get to serve first in the second set.

View of the Tennis Centre



The second set saw Polansky serve a lot more conservatively, in order to improve his serve percentage, now serving a over 80% and it worked. He did not face a break point for the first game of the match and held for 1-1, then put the pressure back on Greg, bringing up break point but Greg held serve. Then at 2-2, Polansky got Greg to 15-40 and this time converted, taking a 3-2, then 4-2 lead. At 3-4

Greg brought up a break-back point opportunity but Polansky was up to the task and saved, to get to 5-3 up. He then proceeded to attack, getting Greg to 0-40 and breaking Greg to win the second set 6-3 and tie the match at one set all. 

Canadian Peter Polansky

Greg said it was extremely hot on court so he took a "comfort" break at the end of the set and changed his kit which was dripping wet. He came back on fire and, despite Polansky serving four 1st serve, broke Polansky to love, returning extremely well. Greg then consolidated to go 2-0 up and then saved a break-point to go 3-1 up. Polansky saved a break-point of his own in the next game but could not break into Greg's service games, the score going to 5-4, with Greg serving for the match. It was Polansky's last opportunity and he fought hard to deny Greg the game, saving match point before bringing up a break point.  Greg saved and then brought up another two match points, which Polansky saved but on the fourth match point Polansky could not stop Greg from winning, game, set and match 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

A good mental effort for Greg, in a match in which he dominated the first set but was frustrated by Polansky saving multiple break points, but then still prevailed to win the set. He then lost the second set with out much of a fight in the sweltering heat but came roaring back in the 3rd set, breaking Polansky early and, despite showing some signs of cramp, managed to shut out a good fight back effort from Polansky.