Grass Season - Gerry Webber #3

The final round of qualifying at Halle in the Gerry Webber Open beckoned with Greg not facing the No.2 seed Marco Chiudenelli as drawn but his vanquisher 33 year-old Czech Jan Hernych, currently ranked 269. Greg has played Hernych, who has a  very respectable high ranking of 59 attained in awhile ago in April 2009, on two previous occassion on clay and hard court respectively and leads the match count 2-0. So a match which has much promise with a place in the main draw of a prestigous ATP tournament as the prize. A lot of pressure for both players and much will depend on Greg's big serve and Hernych's experience and court craft on the slick grass courts to counter that. Their match, on Court 1, started on time despite early morning rain and heavy clouds.

Court 1 behind the main stadium

With Greg serving first both players started nervously, both facing break points in their respective service game and it was Hernych who drew first blood to lead 2-0. Greg faced another break-point in the third game but rallied to get to 2-1. Then, after Hernych held to love, Greg again was forced to defend break point. He saved to get to deuce but could not deny a rampant Hernych from breaking him again to lead 4-1. Greg fought back, and immediately had Hernych facing two break points at 15-40. Hernych saved one but Greg got one break back on the next point, serving out his next game to love to narrow the score to 3-4. Hernych rallied to get to 5-3 then again put th pressure on Greg, returning Greg's first serves well to bring up set point, but Greg denied him the break and held serve to force Hernych to serve out the set. Greg forced him to 30-30 but Hernych responded and won the game with an ace, pouching a hard fought first set 6-4.

Greg playing in the match

Greg was straight into it in the second set, as was Hernych, who served two aces to get the score to 1-1. Then Hernych returned well, breaking Greg who served five first serves in the next game, to take a 2-1, then 3-1 lead. Greg kept the score close by holding serve for 3-2 and then brought up break point on Hernych's serve. Hernych saved it with an ace but Greg brought up another chance. Anothe good first serve denied Greg and another ace closed out the game for Hernych, to lead 4-2. With new balls in the next game Greg saved another break point but Hernych was still returning well and forced another break-point, this time converting to take a decisive double break 5-2 lead. Hernych served for the match with Greg desperately trying to keep the pressure on, saving one match point but was not able to deny Hernych, who won the next point to win the set 6-2 and advance to the main draw with a 6-4, 6-2 win.

Czech Jan Hernych

Greg was bitterly dissapointed. He had made a slow start and Hernych had seized the opportunity, forcing Greg to play catch-up tennis. Greg's service percentage improved throughout the match but Hernych returned well and was too good on the day, using his experience to foil Greg and countering with some good serving of his own to shut Greg out.
All in all two good wins for Greg but not a good loss for Greg, where he was desperate for a win to qualify and turn his year around and play at Halle.