Americas in the Spring 2013 #3

After a short coach ride Greg and Dave arrived in Leon, Mexico for the qualifying rounds of the next Challenger Tournament. Greg's task: to win three rounds to get into the Main Draw. First up he luckily avoided a seeded player, his first round challenge being Polish born German national 25 year-old Peter Torebko, currently ranked 319, with a high ranking similar to Greg's of 182.

Plaza in Leon

The first set was closely contested, with Greg having the better serve stats, and he only gave up one break point, which he saved, in the set. Torebko managed to save two of the break-point opportunities which Greg created but Greg converted the third opportunity to get the advantage and win the set 6-4.
The second set was again hard fought and the player's swopped service breaks early in the set. Torebko then managed to save a break point opportunity which Greg created, then proceeded to break Greg a second time, going on to win the set 6-4, to level the match at 1 set all.

German Peter Torebko

Serving first in the 3rd set, Torebko held serve to lead 2-1 and then had Greg facing break point at 15-40. Greg rallied and saved the first, then the second break point, to get to deuce and then held serve to win a "must win" game to stay in the match and level at 2-2. A break then could have been the end of Greg's tournament. On the back of the disappointment of not getting that decisive break, in the next service game Torebko gave up a break point opportunity and Greg seized the chance, converting to lead the match 3-2. He then consolidated the break by winning the next game to love, to go 4-2 up, having turned the set, and the match around, in a matter of three games. But Greg still had much work to do. Torebko rallied back, holding to love as well, getting to 3-4 and then had Greg facing break-point. Greg dug deep and saved, then after a couple of deuces he held serve to go 5-3 up. He would love to break Torebko to avoid having to serve out the match and fought for every point, getting Torebko to 30-30, then 30-40 and break-point/match point. He thankfully converted the opportunity, to win the set 6-3 and a tough three set match 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Hard work in only Round 1 of qualifying but he was still in there - one down, two to go.