Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #2

Centre Court at Canberra

In the third and final round of qualifying in Canberra, having had a bye in the first round, Greg was up against ex-collegiate player 24 year-old American Nathan Pasha, just starting to play full time on the pro-circuit. Currently ranked 1066, Pasha's capabilities will no doubt be way above his ranking level and will provide a stern test for Greg, who is seeded No. 3 for the qualifying.

Pasha Warming up

On a now overcast day, with a breeze developing stronger and stronger, serving first Greg got off to a less than satisfactory start, two double faults in the game enough for Pasha to break him and take the advantage in the set. Greg was not happy and showed it. At 2-0 up Pasha again had break points to go further ahead but Greg responded and was able to save and get to 1-2. Games went with serve to 4-2, then Pasha had Greg at 0-40. Staring at three break points Greg went for it and played his best tennis to get back to deuce, serving three straight bombs, then holding serve to get to 3-4. He could not get any opportunities on Pasha's serve though, and at 3-5 Pasha again had him facing a break point, this time breaking Greg again to win the first set 6-3.



Greg hits a back hand



With Pasha serving first both players held and then Greg had his first opportunity of the match to break Pasha st 15-40, but was denied by some good serving, games going to 2-1, then 2-2. Pasha held for 3-2, then with the wind gusting strongly it started drizzling. Play continued, and Greg lost the next point to face break point at 30-40. It was only drizzling lightly, but was very windy. The umpire wanted them to continue but Greg disagreed and then went to sit down. After a bit of debate and Greg calling for the physio for treatment, it started raining harder and play was suspended.

American Nathan Pasha

The rain lasted about twenty minutes and with the stiff breeze drying the courts quickly, they were soon back on court, with Greg to serve facing break point - a daunting prospect at a set and 2-3 down. But he returned from the rain break on fire, saved the breakpoint with aplomb and got to 3-3. He then forced Pasha to face two break points but Pasha responded, playing at a high level to match Greg, and held serve to get to 4-3. Greg held serve, and at 4-4 again had Pasha staring st two break points. Again Pasha denied Greg to get to deuce but this time Greg brought up more break opportunities and converted the fourth to get the vital break and serve for the set at 5-4. With the wind now gusting strongly, blowing out the singles sticks, blowing over umbrellas and chairs, both players were still playing at a high level. Greg stepped up to serve out the set 6-4, keeping the match alive, taking it to the third set.


With Pasha again serving first, at 0-1 Greg failed to close out a game at 40-15, serving a double fault and then endured a long deuce game, saving four separate break points before eventually winning the game, to level at 1-1. With the wind howling, both Pasha and Greg continued with some awesome rallies, passing shots and serving, but it was Greg who faced break point at 1-2. As he prepared to serve, the gusty wind again blew the single stick out and there was a delay to put the stick back in again. Greg served ok, but was then broken, to trail 1-3. Pasha was pumped and served well to go 4-1. Greg replied with a love game to stay close at 4-2.

Continuing to fight hard Greg then put the pressure on Pasha and forced him to deuce but a timely ace secured the game for a 5-2 lead. Greg again held to love, forcing Pasha to serve for the match at 5-3. Greg was not done, returned well and the pressure told, bringing up break point and converting the opportunity to stay in the match at 4-5. With the wind still howling, both players held serve to get to 6-5 on serve in Pasha's favour. With Greg again serving to stay in the match, Pasha kept pushing and brought up match point on Greg's serve. Steely nerves Greg hit a good serve and then won the game with a back hand down the line winner to level at 6-6, and take the match to the tie-break.

Pasha won his serve and then took a stranglehold on the tie-break by breaking Greg twice to lead 3-0. But Greg was not done and some inspired play saw him break back, twice, to get 2-3, then hold serve to change ends at 3-3. He then held again to lead 4-3. Two excellent returns backed up by long rallies, finished off well saw Greg break Pasha again, to bring up match point on his serve at 6-3. Greg won his seventh point in a row, to win the tie-break 7-3 and complete a great comeback in a topsy-turvy rain, delayed played in a strong, gusty wind. Final score 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).

 Greg was relieved and thankful that he had at last qualified for a Challenger after coming so close on numerous occasions. He had played some great tennis and had been forced to play close to his end range by a very talented and determined opponent.

Footnote: ironically Korean Hyeon Chung, who had taken the special exemption place in the main draw, denying Greg and forcing Greg to play qualifying, failed to travel to Australia and his place in the draw was then open to a "lucky loser" - a player who lost in the final round of qualifying. Greg was quite pleased that, in a strange quirk of fate, and just reward for the match he had played, his opponent Nathan Pasha was the benefactor of that lucky loser spot.