Following his win in the first round match on Thursday Greg had to back up to play his second round match, up against the No.1 seed, 26 year-old Spanish clay court grinder Jordi Samper-Montana, ranked 217, whose brother plays professional soccer in Spain, having played for FC Barcelona at one stage. It was a long wait for them to get on court, as rain delayed the match prior to their match. Greg said it is always hard to judge when to get prepared when waiting in rain delays. Then suddenly the rain stopped and before they knew it, they were on court, as in the match before them four games were won in a row to quickly wrap-up that match.
Greg took to court still slightly stiff and still feeling the effects of his previous match. Samper-Montana was fresh and quickly off the match while Greg was still a bit sluggish. A double fault by Greg presented a breakpoint opportunity to Samper-Montana, who gratefully converted to break Greg in the first game. Greg got going but could not break back immediately, to trail 1-3. He then saw himself staring at 0-40 and three break points, but in the light drizzly condition he managed to get back to deuce and then hold serve to get to 2-3. Then the heavens opened again and once again they were chased off court for the day.
Friday arrived with only slightly better weather, and they continued the match with Samper-Montana serving to consolidate the break, going to 4-2 up. Greg could make no further inroads into Samper-Montana'a serve and the Spaniard served out the first set 6-4.
Greg started the second set much better than the first, dropping only 1 point in getting to 2-1. Greg said Samper-Montana was typically playing very deep in the court and Greg was now dictating play coming forward, playing drop shots and short volleys which were catching the Spaniard too far back. At 2-1 Greg then forced Samper-Montana to deuce, then break-point, breaking serve to lead 3-1. Inexplicably, Samper-Montana then won nine points in a row, to break Greg to love, then hold to love to get back even at 3-3. Greg steadied and on the back of two aces held serve. He then had Samper-Montana at 0-40, for a chance to break and serve for the set.
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| Spaniard Jordi Samper-Montana |
However on that last point, whilst going out wide to return and then changing direction and pushing forward to get to the net, he felt a twinge in his groin and feared for the worst. He was unable to move properly and Samper-Montana reeled off five points in a row to save the break and level at 4-3. Greg then sought medical atttention from the physio and took a medical time out to have his injured groin assessed and then treated. Fortunately it was not too serious, but Greg was then wary of stressing the groin more. He returned to court but Samper-Montana took advantage of his uncertain movement, breaking Greg to lead 5-4 and serve for the set. But Greg was not done, playing some inspired tennis to keep the points short and got the Spaniard to 15-40 and have two break opportunities. He was unable to convert and Samper-Montana recovered to serve out the set 6-4 and win the match 6-4, 6-4.
Greg was disappointed, as he was playing well but did not have the luck to take advantage of the opportunities he created. It was a frustrating rain interrupted week of stop-start tennis, played in tricky conditions on slippery courts, not conducive to great tennis. He will have a couple of weeks to shake off any potential injuries to his groin and knees, after his fall earlier in the week, and train for his next tournament.
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