Oz Summer 2012-13 #28

A rainy day threatened for the quarter-finals of the singles at Homebush in Sydney, with Greg up against the rising star of Australian tennis, 17 year old Nick Kyrgios, winner of the Australian Open Junior title this year. The pair had played each other three weeks ago in Adelaide where Kyrgios was the victor in straight sets. Lets hope Greg can go one better this time.
The rain held off and it was Greg who started serving but it was Kyrgios who started better, breaking Greg in the opening game to take the advantage. As in Adelaide, Kyrgios was serving at an amazing 70%+ first serves and winning most of those serves, and Greg was unable to put any pressure on Kyrgios. Greg faced another break point mid set but was able to save and stay close to Kyrgios, games going with serve to 4-5, with Kyrgios forced to serve for the set. He did so to love, winning the set 6-4.

Nick Kyrgios

Greg re-focused for the second set and got immediate results, holding serve and then breaking Kyrgios, who threw in a few second serves, to lead 2-0, then consolidated the break at 3-0. Both players were serving well and games went to 5-3. Kyrgios forced Greg to face a break point when serving for the set but Greg did so and then won the game, winning the 2nd set 6-3 and taking the match to a 3rd set.

Reflections on a wet court at Homebush

Both players started the set well but it was Kyrgios who at 2-1 got the early break to lead 3-1 and then served two aces in consolidating to get to 4-1. Greg fought back for 4-2, then 5-3 but Kyrgios was serving too well and shut Greg out, winning the 3rd set and a fiercely competitive match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, to advance to the semi final.

A disappointing result for Greg but he played well, with just a single break of serve in each set being the difference. And then the persistant rain came, which washed out play for the rest of the day. Greg is now off overseas, first stop a Challenger Tournament in Kyoto, Japan.
Nick Kyrgios went on to win his first senior tournament.