In the Main Draw of the Tallahassee Challenger Greg had a toughie in the first round, the No. 5 seed 25 year-old Tim Smyczek from the USA, currently ranked 120, with a high rank of 101 achieved recently in February this year. A very compact, consistent player, Smyczek is the defending champion and will be tough to topple on the green clay.
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| Greg in new Fila cothing at Tallahassee |
Greg's serve was not firing in the first set and he was quickly in trouble, going down an early break, at 1-2. Smyczek held serve for 3-1 and Greg rallied to close the gap to 3-2. But with Greg serving at below 40% it was inevitable that Smyczek would break him again, which he did to go 5-2, up. Greg fought back though and managed to break Smyczek as he served for the set, getting one break back at 3-5. With Greg still serving poorly Smyczek was able to prevent Greg getting back in the set, breaking Greg a third time to win the first set 6-3.
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| American Tim Smyczek |
In the second set Greg rallied and regained the rythm on his serve, serving much better. With Smyczek serving first, games went with serve to 4-4 and Greg was able to put some pressure on Smyczek, bringing up a break-point opportunity and converting to break Smyczek to go 5-4 up, with a chance to serve for the set. But it was not to be, Smyczek rallied and forced Greg to break-point, converting to level the score at 5-5. Smyczek then held serve to lead 6-5 and put the pressure back on Greg to stay in the match. Smyczek again forced Greg to face a break-point, this time a match point. Greg was unable to save the point and Smyczek had come from a break down to win three games in a row and win the set 7-5 and the match 6-3, 7-5.
Greg was bitterly disappointed. He said he had played terribly in the first set but had played his way back into the match and had a chance at taking the match into a third set. But, against quality opposition, with a lack of match practise and perhaps a lack of confidence, he had faltered and not closed out the set.
Greg is playing in the doubles with Canadian Peter Polansky and will play later in the day.
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