Oz Summer 2012-13 #22



Outside courts at Melbourne Park

With the temperature up around 30 degrees celcius and a gusty breeze blowing Greg took to the court at Melbourne Park in the second round match of the Futures tournament against newly converted New Zealander, Russian born 27 year old Artem Sitak, currently ranked 547 in the ATP rankings. They have played each other once before, way back in 2007, when Sitak won in three sets, so Greg will be looking to reverse that result. The first set went according to Greg's script, with Greg having the better of the play and then getting the vital break and serving out the set, winning the set 6-3.

New Zealander Artem Sitak



In the second Greg let a few close calls by the umpire get to him and let it disrupt his concentration and focus. After missing out on breaking Sitak, Greg then lost his serve to trail a break. He battled hard and got Sitak to break-point again, but again Sitak, playing a better game in the second set and another perceived close call, was able to hold. Again Sitak was able to apply pressure on Greg, whose focus was not on his game, breaking Greg again to win the set 6-1, and level the match at one set all.

Greg took time to compose himself at the end of the set and began the third set re-focussed, with much improved body language and movement. Sitak was still playing at a good level but Greg was able to counter and eventually broke Sitak, to take a vital lead in the set. He held serve to consolidate the match, and continued on to win the set 6-3, and a topsy-turvey hard fought match 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
Not the best display mentally by Greg, who let conditions get to him but, with the help of some encouragement from hitting partner Bidders, he was able to pull himself together, re-focus and play well enougth to win the match.