Expecting to play a seeded player in the second round of qualifying in Leon, Greg was greeted instead by 26 year old Frenchman Antoine Benneteau, who had knocked off the No. 7 seed in the first round. Former USA College player and brother of top 100 player Julien Benneteau, Antoine is a late comer to the circuit and is ranked 375, currently his highest ranking, so obviously playing well at the moment, but a good chance for Greg to progress to the final round of qualifying.
Greg said Benneteau played "off his face" in the first set, serving at over 70% and not giving up a single break point opportunity. In contrast Greg, although serving at a decent percentage, was forced to break point twice, saving one point but not the other, Benneteau breaking Greg just the once in winning the first set 6-4.
Benneteau continued his good form into the second set, breaking Greg's serve in the opening game. Greg fought back and forced Benneteau to save face two break points but could not convert and Benneteau went to a 2-0. , At 0-30 in the next game, he had Greg on the ropes but Greg rallied, saving that game to get to 1-2. Then at 2-3 Greg had Benneteau facing three break points at 0-40. Greg converted to get even at 3-3, then held to love and broke Benneteau again, going to a 5-3 lead. He had won four games in a row and given himself a chance to serve for the set and take the match to a 3rd set. But Benneteau fought back and, despite Greg serving 2 first serves, broke Greg to love, then held serve to level the score at 5-5. Both players then held serve to take the set to the tie-break.
Benneteau broke Greg on the 1st point but handed back the advantage with a double fault, scores going with serve to 2-2. Benneteau then broke Greg and changed ends at 4-2, goin 5-2 up on serve. He broke Greg again to bring up 4 match points, then broke again to win the tie-break 7-2, and the match 6-4 7-6.
Not the best match for Greg and certainly not the result that was expected. Very disapponting for him after such a good fight back. Greg now has a week to prepare for the next tournament, again in Mexico, and to work on his fitness.
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| Typical Plaza scene in Leon |
Greg said Benneteau played "off his face" in the first set, serving at over 70% and not giving up a single break point opportunity. In contrast Greg, although serving at a decent percentage, was forced to break point twice, saving one point but not the other, Benneteau breaking Greg just the once in winning the first set 6-4.
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| Antoine Benneteau |
Benneteau broke Greg on the 1st point but handed back the advantage with a double fault, scores going with serve to 2-2. Benneteau then broke Greg and changed ends at 4-2, goin 5-2 up on serve. He broke Greg again to bring up 4 match points, then broke again to win the tie-break 7-2, and the match 6-4 7-6.
Not the best match for Greg and certainly not the result that was expected. Very disapponting for him after such a good fight back. Greg now has a week to prepare for the next tournament, again in Mexico, and to work on his fitness.
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