Oz Summer 2012-13 #25

The first round of the singlesin the Sydney Challenger had Greg facing up against an old adversary, South Australian Colin Ebelthite. A veteran of the tour with over ten years experience, 28 year-old Ebelthite is concentrating more on doubles these days, with a singles ranking of 788 but a doubles ranking of 120, he qualified for the tournament so will be in form and does have a positive head-to-head against Greg, although a bit dated. It will be a nervous match for Greg against a wily opponent, on a windswept Homebush court.
Greg came out firing, holding serve and then immediately broke Ebelthite. He consolidated the break at 3-0 and then had Ebelthite facing three break points at 0-40, to blow the set wide apart, but Ebelthite responded and saved those three break points and another to hold serve. Despite the strong, gusty wind Greg was serving well and he was able to serve out the set, not giving Ebelthite a break point opportunity, and winning the set 6-3.

Colin Ebelthite

Greg then again broke Ebelthite's first service gaem in the second set. Ebelthite was not phased though and despite Greg serving 5 first serves, Ebelthite broke back immediately to level at 1-1. Both player's held serve and then Greg had Ebelthite facing two break point at 15-40, and converted to lead 3-2, then 4-2. Ebelthite tried to fight back but Greg shut him out with somde competent serving, holding serve to get to 5-4 and then serving out the set 6-4, winning the match 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the second round.
A solid performance by Greg, in a match he was favourite to win, the expectation of which could have made him nervous and play tightly but he came through well with only a small glitch where he allowed Ebelthite to break back at the start of the second set. He got back on track and got the job done.