Time to Start Again #4

Next on the schedule for Greg in his come-back from a long period of multiple injuries, over eighteen months of time-off and rehabilitation, with a small period of competition mid to end last year, was a real challenge, playing qualifying for the Tennis Hall of Fame ATP250 grass court tournament at Newport, Rhode Island. Whilst ambitious given his relevant lack of match practise, and not having played on grass for two seasons, he wanted to go to Newport to catch-up with his old coach Todd Martin, who was now director of the Tennis Hall of Fame, and to re-inflame his tennis juices by experiencing the atmosphere of top level tennis.

Greg again received a favourable draw, avoiding a seeded player. His opponent was Ryan Haviland, a 34 year-old veteran with a current ranking of 985, and a career high ranking of 516 achieved when much younger in March 2004. It was a match Greg would have relished two year ago but today his lack of grass court play showed at the outset. His serving did not help either, below 40% as he was broken early, as he struggled to 3-5 in the first set. The points went by quickly on the grass court surface and he was not able to build into a rhythm, hardly troubling Haviland on serve. He was then broken again for Haviland to win the first set 6-3.

Ryan Haviland

Greg improved on his return game in the second set, and managed to break Haviland early to lead 2-1, only to immediately get broken back, for Haviland to level at 2-2. But this time Greg was in the groove and despite Haviland having the better stats for the set, managed to win the next four games, breaking Haviland twice in a row to pouch the second set 6-2.
Greg had the momentum and should have continued to dominate but Haviland steadied and raised his service game, as did Greg increase his service percentages, games going with serve with no break-point opportunities to 4-3, Haviland  leading on serve. Unfortunately right there Greg's concentration and first serve wavered with the pressure of serving second at the pointy end of the match, and Haviland forced him to 0-40 and converted the break opportunity to lead 5-3.


The green grass courts at Newport

Serving for the set Haviland himself wobbled and Greg managed to get him to 15-40, but unfortunately two good points from Haviland saw him save the break-points and then win the game, to win the set 6-3 and a quick but hard fought match 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.A disappointing end to a mixed match from Greg. He had grown in confidence and worked his way back into the match but was not able to sustain the pressure at the end of the match, but that is something that will change as he plays more matches. Next stop most probably will be the Binghampton Challenger, if Greg manages to get into the main draw with his protected ranking.