Oz Summer 2012-13 #23

Aerial view of Melbourne Park Tennis Centre

Another beautiful day greeted the players at Melbourne Park for the quarter-finals of the Futures tournament. And it was the No. 5 seed, former top 100 player, 29 year-old Frenchman Stepane Robert, currently ranked 209, but with a high ranking of 61, achieved in 2010. Robert's ranking has fallen, ostensibly due to injury last year, just as Greg's ranking has, and he was playing the circuit in Australia to get his ranking back to its former heights. With no great serve but an economic, efficient style, great consistency and accuracy, with many years of experience, Robert would be a great foil for Greg's big game and will test his resolve.
Greg served first and Robert's flat game immediately had Greg under pressure and facing break point. Greg competently saved that point and held serve but on his next serve, serving into the sun for the first time, Greg faced another three break-points at 0-40 and this time Robert converted to lead 2-1 and 3-1. Greg fought back but a few wayward shots had him unable to keep the pressure on Robert. Robert capitalised, breaking Greg again to lead 5-2. He then confidently serve out the set with two aces, winning it 6-2.


Stephane Robert

Greg recharged and matched Robert in the 2nd set, holding serve and getting to 3-3. At 15-30 on Greg's serve, Greg hit an ace but it was called it out. Sportingly Robert over-ruled the call and said Greg's serve was an ace. On the very next point, de ja vue - an ace by Greg, again called out, again over-ruled. So instead of going from 15-30, to 15-40 and then break of serve game to Robert, due to Robert's sportingly conceding the aces and over-ruling the umpire, Greg was at 40-30 and held serve and led 4-3. A very nice gesture by the Frenchman, who would have gone ahead in the set. Robert held his serve and then pounced, breaking Greg to get the vital break and serve for the match at 5-4. Greg responded and hit right back, breaking Robert and levelling at 5-5. Robert was just as feisty and he was not to be denied. He broke Greg immediately and this time, given a second chance to serve for the match, took his opportunity and did so, winning the set 7-6 and a hard fought match 6-2, 7-5.
It was a match of missed opportunities by Greg and taken opportunities by Robert, who did not make many mistakes and put away the chance he created. Greg had served at a low percentage first serve and did not get the free points he needed from those serves he did make due to the heavier balls.
Greg will not play the Futures tournament in Mildura next week, which is on grass, but rather prepare for the hard court Challenger tournament to be held in Sydney the following week. His stomach strain appears to be repaired and he can get some much needed serve practise, something he has not been able to do for the past month due to the injury.
Stephane Robert went on to win the tournament.