Grass Season - Manta on Hard #3

The Howard Johnson Manta Hotel

Having beaten a seeded player in the 1st round, Greg now faced an unseeded player in Manta. His opposition was wild card recipient Ecuadorian Roberto Quiroz, aged 21 and currently ranked 732. A kind draw for Greg, but the six foot six left-handed Ecuadorian could be a dangerous opponent if Greg does not maintain his focus and intensity. Quiroz, whose low ranking does not reflect his talent as he has not played a lot of tournaments on tour due to him being at College in Southern California, was a top ten ITF Junior player and won both the French Open and US Open Junior Doubles titles in 2010. A tough challenge for Greg.


Greg playing in Manta

Serving first it was a slow start for Greg, who could not find many first serves but managed to get to 2-2 against Quiroz, who was serving well. Then Greg lost concentration and was facing three break-points at 0-40. He re-focused, hit five unreturnable first serves and managed to squeak out of that game, the score progressing to 4-3. Greg then brought up his first break-point opportunity against Quiroz and converted to lead 5-3 and serve for the set. Quiroz hit back, breaking Greg to get back on serve at 5-4. But Greg was determined and broke straight back again, on his 2nd set point, to win the first set 6-4.

USC player Roberto Quiroz

With the first set under wraps Greg relaxed and served very well in the 2nd set, as did Quiroz. Greg lost only two points on his serve in the set, games going with serve to 4-4. Greg held to love for 5-4, then set about breaking Quiroz, making Quiroz play a lot of shots and pegging him back to deuce. Greg then brought up match point, converting to win the set 6-4, and the match 6-4, 6-4.
A nervous start for Greg in that match but once he shook the nerves he served well to take control of the match and advance to the quarter-final round.
He was joined in the QF round by his travel mate and doubles partner Greg Ouellette who provided an upset in beating the 7th seed Canadian Peter Polansky in three sets.