The year that was... 2010

2010 was a very mixed bag for Greg in Tennis. He started the year well, with a first round win in the Men's Doubles in the Australian Open, followed by a finals showing in the Burnie Challenger and then again in the Berri Futures tournament. Playing the Challenger circuit in the USA, Mexico and Ecuador Greg achieved a singles ranking high of 179 in the first half of the year. He then showed much promise in both the Wimbledon and US Open qualifying by winning his first round at each tournament, beating the No.2 seed at Flushing Meadows.
Greg then had a minor setback with the unfortunate accident between two taxis in New York, which left him with badly bruised knees and unable to play or train for four weeks, forcing him to miss three tournaments and affect his fitness. He bounced back to reach the final of the Men's Singles at the Commonwealth Games, representing Australia and earning a silver medal for his efforts.
Unfortunately he sustained an achilles injury in that match which further impaired his ability to train and get fit. The lack of tournament play and fitness saw his ranking begin to slide, with Greg finishing the year at a lower rank, at 261, than which he started the year, despite having an excellent year of tennis.

Here's to Greg bouncing right back in 2011 and being incident free and fully fit for the whole year.

AO Wildcard Play-off - Update #2

Quarter-final of the AO Wild Card play-off had Greg matched up against the No.2 seed Marinko Matosevic, currently ranked 138 in the ATP. Greg was confident going into the match having lost narrowly to Matosevic in their last encounter and now fitter, having 'touched' Marinko up in a practise match earlier the week.
In the first set, with Matosevic serving first, both player's started strongly and Greg had a few half chances but could not convert them into real opportunities, games going with serve to 2-3. Marinko was starting to pick Greg's serve and forced Greg to break-point but Greg saved the point and levelled at 3-3. Again at 3-4 down Greg faced and saved break-point, getting to 4-4. Marinko held for 5-4 and then applied even more pressure on Greg, bringing up another break-point, this time set point. Greg saved one point but a weak forehand on game-point let Matosevic back in and he forced Greg to face another break-point. Unable to buy a first serve a long rally ensued and a back-hand nto the net saw Matosevic break and win the set 6-4.
Greg then had an injury time-out, rare for Greg, so obviously something was wrong. The callous below his right toe had stripped off and exposed the raw flesh below the toe. The physio repaired the damage as best he could and Greg came out firing. The break in play had cooled off a red hot Matosevic who then missed a few serves and with some good returns by Greg saw him have 3 break-point opportunities. Matosevic responded and three good first serves later the threat was nullified and he held for a 1-0 lead. Games went with serve to 2-2, with Greg saving two break-points along the way. In his next service game, at 2-3 down, he got to 40-15 and had a smash to close out the game but Matosevic guessed correctly and put in a miraculous lob to win the point. He then got to deuce and forced 3 set points. Greg saved 2 of them but could not save the 3rd and Matosevic had a decisive break, leading 4-2. He held comfortably for 5-2 and then forced Greg to match-point, converting at the 1st opportunity to win the match 6-4, 6-2.


Marinko wins WC play-off



Greg was bitterly disappointed and was annoyed by the injury, which he said happened in the 3rd game and slowed him down slightly. Matosevic had played and served well.

Greg will now have to get into the main draw of the Australian Open through the qualifying tournament.

AO Wildcard Play-off - Update #1

After a week training and hitting at Melbourne Park it was down to the serious business of the Australian Open Wild Card Play-off, where the winner of the event receives direct entry into the main draw of the 2011 Australian Open. In knockout format for the first time Greg was seeded 7 and had a bye in the 24 man draw. 

AO Wild Card Players at Draw

His second round opponent was rising star and recent Australian AIS recruit Sean Berman. Born in South Africa but currently listed as USA and having come from New Zealand, Berman now calls Australia home. The seventeen year-old was a finalist at the Australian Open Junior Boys Single in 2010 and last week won the 18s National single title. Ranked 864 in the ATP Berman is definitely a young player of which to be wary. They took to the court at 6pm after waiting all day for the previous match to finish after some atrocious weather and it was still cold and windy when Greg started serving. Berman was quick out of the blocks and returned well, getting Greg to 30-all and then immediately bringing up a break-point.

Greg with Adam Feeney at Draw

Greg countered with an ace to save and then held for 1-0. Greg then attacked the weaker serve of Berman and broke Berman to love to take a 2-0 lead. Greg then quickly reeled off another 3 games, breaking Berman again to go to 5-0. He held three set point at 0-40 but a combination of a lack of concentration by Greg and good play by Berman saw Berman fight back to deuce and then hold for 5-1. Greg was forced to serve for the set which he did.

Sean Berman

In the 2nd set Berman started making a few more balls and getting into longer rallies, getting more aggressive and started to hold serve more easily. Greg countered but went too aggressively and missed a few more shots. Games went with serve to 3-3. Greg recognised that a rhythm was developing and Berman was slowly growing in confidence so decided to be less aggressive but more accurate, attacking Berman's 1st serves and catching him with some good returns. He succeeded in getting Berman to 0-30, then 0-40, breaking Berman on the 3rd break point to get a break up at 4-3. Greg held for 5-3, then failed to pressurise Berman with two serve return errors, for Berman to hold for 5-4 and force Greg to serve for the match.

Greg duly served out the set 6-4, winning the match 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the second round, t be played tomorrow.

On to Japan - Update #2

In Toyota, Japan for a $35k Challenger on indoor synthetic hard court it was a poorly Greg who fronted for his 1st round singles match. He was suffering from a severe bout of flu, contracted in the cold Illinois autumn, and had seen the tournament Doc on Sunday but the medicine prescribed was not having a rapid effect.


Takao Suzuki

His first round opponent was veteran 34 year-old Japanese player Takao Suzuki, currently ranked 493 but with a chequered career consistently below 200 in the rankings since a high rank of 102 and was a previous winner of this tournament. As the No.6 seed, Greg was the outright favourite to advance to the second round, but the experience of Suzuki on his home court surface would present a good challenge.

On the slick indoor courts serves dominated and in a high quality first set games went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. The tie-break was an energy sapping affair, the pair swapping set point opportunities until Greg got the decisive break to go 11-10 ahead and then served a winner, to win the tie-break 12-10. First set to Greg 7-6.

The 2nd set saw Greg start to tire and he said he struggled to maintain the intensity in another keenly contested set. He managed to save break points at 2-3 and 3-4 down but was unable to create any opportunities on Suzuki's serve. Games went to 6-5, Suzuki up with Greg serving to save the set and get to the tie-break, to hopefully win the match in straight sets. Suzuki again forced Greg to 30-40 - break point & set point. A tiring and not well Greg managed to save that point and then get the score to 6-6. The tie-break was hard fought but a missed forehand at 3-4, saw Greg go to 5-3 down, instead of levelling at 4-4. Suzuki went 6-4 and the broke Greg again to win the tie-break 7-4, and the set 7-6, to level the match at 1 set all.

The 3rd set saw a distressed Greg fighting hard and getting to 2-2 in games. Suzuki then broke Greg to take a 3-2 lead and consolidated the break to go to 4-2.

Greg said that was the match. He had little energy left. Suzuki broke him again and served out the set 6-2, winning a close match 6-7(10), 7-6(4), 6-2.

It was not a good end to his overseas tour but he was bouyed by some of his performances this year, many of which had been very close and the result could have gone either way, against some very creditable and tough opposition.

Greg will now make his way back to Sydney for a well-earned break and, once fully recovered, will plan and commence his training and hitting in preparation for the Australian summer of tennis.

On to Japan - Update #1

It was a gruelling trip to get from Champaign, Illinois to Toyota in Japan for Greg.

Chicago

He caught a bus from Champaign to Chicago and spent the night there. He managed to get into the Hyatt at a very good rate obtained on the internet. Then the next morning it was up at 5:30am for three and a hour hour a connecting flight to Vancouver.

Vancouver

That was good as he managed o get a few hours sleep on the flight. Next was an all day flight to Tokyo. Thirteen hours later he landed in Tokyo, without any sleep, and tried to find his way to Toyota.

Tokyo

Four hours and two train rides later he was in Nagoya. He then had to battle language barriers and no local currency to get a shuttle sub-way connection to the train.

Nagoya

The ticket office did not take credit cards. He eventually slipped through the gate and got on the sub-way. Then it was the final train ride to Toyota.

Toyota, Aichi, Japan

A half-an-hour later and  short ten minute walk and he was in his hotel, much relieved and quite exhausted. Plus he now had a bad cold from the air travel and dehydration.

Greg saw the tournament doctor and is now recovering and preparing for his first match on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update #12

Greg's second round opponent in the Champaign Challenger was the No. 6 seed, 27 year-old American Alex Bogomolov, currently ranked 201, with a high rank of 97. A solid baseliner with a good return he will trouble the big serving Jonesie, even on the slick indor courts.

The 1st set was dominated by the server, with neither player giving up a game on serve, games going to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Greg said it came down to one bad volley which made the difference, with Greg going down a mini-break as a result and losing the tie-break 7-3. Ist set to Bogomolov 7-6.

The 2nd set was quite similar but Bogomolov was able to break on one of Greg's service games and served out the set 6-3, to win the match 7-6(3), 6-3.

Greg said he had played well but Bogomolov was in good form. Bogomolov went on to win the tournament.

That ends Greg's tour of the USA this year and he will head for home via a tournament in Toyota, Japan next week. He has had a mixed year in the USA, with some good tournaments and some excellent play which resulted in some very close matches which have largely seen Greg unrewarded for his efforts. His time will come as long as he sticks to his training regime and continues to improve his game.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update #11

After a gruelling 1st round singles encounter in the Challenger tournament in Champaign, Illinois, Greg had to back up and play his 1st round doubles match. He was partnered by Australian mate Adam Hubble, who Greg had played with once before in Australia about two or more years ago, when the won a Futures title together.

Champaign view at night

Their 1st round apponents were 24 year-old American ex-Collegiate players Mark Czerwinski and Ryan Rowe, who are both currently unranked in the ATP rankings. It was a match Greg and Adam will no doubt want to forget as they went down 7-6(3), 6-3 to the College players.
Greg said there opponents played well but that he and Adam had opportunities in both sets, upon which they did not capitalise. At 4-3 up in the first set they had their opponents at 0-40 but were not able to win one of the next four (break) points, allowing the Americans to get to 4-4. Greg then dropped his serve next game. He and Adam got that break back to take the set to the tie-break but played a poor breaker, not hitting enougth first serves, to lose the tie-break.
Not a good result, probably due to fatigue on Greg's part after his long singles match.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update #10

Greg's next tournament is the Challenger in Champaign, Illinois. After his disappointing 1st round loss last week Greg elected to stay at his family billet in Knoxville, who he said were great folk, and train at the tennis centre there for the remainder of the week.

He then drove to Champaign on Saturday, getting to see a bit of the USA by road. 

Uni of Illinois - Atkins Tennis Centre



Greg's 1st round match was against 24 year-old Russian Andrey Kumantsov, currently ranked 319, whose steady rise up the ranks over the past years has seen him achieve a ranking high of 261 in September.

The first set was a close affair, with serves dominating on the slick indoor hard court surface, games going with serve to the tie-break. Serving first Greg got a mini-break and was able to serve out the tie-break 7-5, giving him the 1st set 7-6. Very close indeed.

The 2nd set followed much the same pattern, with games again going with serve all the way to the tie-break. But this time it was Kumantsov who asserted his game and won the tie-break a little easier at 7-3, winning the 2nd set 7-6 and sending the match into a 3rd set. Greg said that up to that point Kumantsov had already had two injury time-outs, for differing ailments.

In the 3rd set Greg held serve and then upped the ante. He started picking Kumantsov's serve and broke him to go to a 2-0 up Greg the held serve to consolidate the break and lead 3-0. Kumantsov then took another injury time-out, again with a different ailment, ostensibly to try and break Greg's concentration. Kumantsov held serve but was unable to break Greg, who went to a 4-1 lead.
Greg then got Kumantsov to 15-40 and had an opportunity to go a double break up. Kumantsov saved the first break point with a good first serve and played another good point to deny Greg the break. However at this point, at 1-4 down and deuce on his own serve, Kumantsov walked over to Greg and conceded the match. Kumantsov had had enough and retired injured (reason unknown as yet), gifting Greg, who was leading at that point, the 3rd set and the match, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 4-1. Strange indeed.

Greg is entered in the doubles and will play his doubles match today as well.

Back in the USA 2010 - Update #9

Knoxville Racquet Club was the venue for the next Challenger tournament, played indoors. Greg's opening round opponent was former American player 28 year old Amer Delic, now playing under the Bosnian flag. A top 100 player with a high ranking of 60, Delic had been off through injury for 5 months through the mid part of the year. His ranking has dropped to 782 and is on the come-back trail, so watch out Greg. A big game player, the courts would suit Delic, as they would Greg, so long points would not be the norm.

Greg served first and at 3-2 up it was he who brought up the first break-point opportunity at 15-40 on Delic's serve. Two aces later by Delic and the score was back to deuce. Greg won the next point to have another chance but Delic again served a big serve and won the point, then levelled the match at 3-3. At 4-4 Greg was serving at 30-all when Delic shanked a return and Greg was unable to deal with it effectively, just putting the spinning ball into court and allowing Delic to easily past him, bringing up break point. Greg served and volleyed the next point only to see another shanked forehand pop over his head and land in court, converting the break, with Delic going up 5-4. A little bit of luck either way, good or bad, makes the difference in some of these matches. 



Bosnian Amer Delic

The second set was another close affair, serves dominating and games going with serve to 5-4, Greg leading. Greg then brought up set-point on Delic's serve but another massive serve closed out that opportunity. On Greg's next serve he missed a couple of first serves and Delic used the opportunity to take the game to Greg and get him to 0-30. Another good point from Delic and Greg faced three break-points. He saved two to get to 30-40 but could not win the 3rd point, Delic breaking to go 6-5 up. Greg tried to fight back but could only get to 40-30 and Delic converted the match point to win the set 7-5 and the match 6-4, 7-5.
Another close loss against a top player for Greg. He said he had played well but was frustrated again by some of the points which could have gone either way and made the difference between winning and losing.
Greg had six break-point opportunites on Delic's serve and was not able to convert any. Delic only created two break-point opportunies on Greg's serve and was able to convert both. Delic played the big points better and that was the essential difference in the match
Greg unfortunately did not get into the doubles event, which had a very low entry cut-off, so will have a day off before preparing for the next tournament in Champaign, Illinois.

Back in the USA 2010 - Update #8

After dispensing with last year's title holder of the Charlottesville Challenger in the first round of the singles Greg had the task of facing up against the other finalist from last year in the second round. In a quirk of the "draw" it was a rematch of the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal match against 25 year-old Indian Somdev Devvarman, the No. 2 seed, currently ranked 96.

Somdev in action in Delhi

Played as the feature match in the evening, the match followed the same pattern as their previous encounter, with Devvarman winning the 1st set 6-3 and then repeating the score in the 2nd for a 6-3, 6-3 win over Greg.

Greg SMS'ed and said it was a very close match. He had played well but that he was "soooo unlucky". Have not spoken to him yet so not sure what that means, but he was obviously quite frustrated with the loss.

He will now travel to Knoxville, Tennessee for the next Challenger event.

Greg later said that he had missed quite a few opportunities he created by just missing long by mere millimetres. Good to hear that he was going for his shots.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update #7

The last acceptance into the draw, now ranked 258, in the singles of the Challenger tournament at Charlottesville, Virginia, Greg was up against experienced campaigner, 32 year-old American Kevin Kim, currently ranked 185, but a regular top 100 player with a high rank of 63. The match was played in the evening as the feature match on the main court as Kim was the title holder, beating Commonwealth Games Gold medalist Somdev Devvarman in the final last year.
Games went with serve in the 1st set until 3-3, then Kim managed to get a break-point opportunity on Greg's serve and converted to take the advantage and go to a 4-3, then 5-3 lead. Greg steadied the ship to get to 5-4 but could not deny Kim serving out the set 6-4. Greg said Kim was playing unbelievable tennis and he had only won 1 point on Kim's serve in the 1st set.
 Greg held his 1st service game in the second set and then surprisingly broke Kim in the next game to go to a 2-0 lead. He then held well to consolidate the break. Kim got back into the match but Greg was able to break him again to take control of the 2nd set and go on to level the match at 1 set all, winning the 2nd set 6-2.

The 3rd set saw Greg go 2-1 up on serve and then had Kim at 15-40, with a great opportunity to break and continue his domination. He said he completely duffed the shot and Kim went on to hold serve for 2-2, then reversed the momentum, taking the impetus away from Greg by breaking Greg's next service game and go to a 3-2, then 4-2 lead. Greg battled back and managed to break back then hold to level at 4-4. Greg went 5-4 up but Kim levelled again at 5-5. Greg served confidently for a 6-5 lead and then brought up match point on Kim's serve. He broke Kim to win the set 7-5 and disappoint the American crowd for a come-from-behind hard fought 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win and progress to the second round.

Greg will have a day's break and will play his next match on Thursday.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update #6

Charlottesville, Virginia was the destination for Greg's next Challenger tournament, played at the prestigous Boars Head Sports Club. Scheduled to play his singles in a late match Greg played his the round doubles match first.

Teamed with big serving Australian Chris Guccione, the pair were up against the No. 3 seeds South African's Rik de Voest and Izak van der Merwe.

Greg said de Voest, a former top 50 doubles player, was on fire and was easily the best player on the day. Guccione served very well but it was Greg's serve which was wayward and let the team down. De Voest read Greg's serve well and they broke his serve 3 times in beating the Aussie team 6-2, 6-3.

Not the result Greg was hoping for with the big Gooch.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update #5



Greg at net and Jesse Witten serving

 In the doubles Greg and partner American Jesse Witten were up against the No.4 seeded pairing of South African Rik De Voest and American Bobby Reynolds.
A tired Greg, after his marathon effort in the singles, was not able to perform at his best level and he and Witten went down to the seeded pair 6-2, 6-4.
Greg now has a week's break before the next Challenger tournament.

Calabasas Sports Centre - too cool and rainy to swim

He will have a couple of days off and then wants to get back into training in order to get his fitness level up and also work with his coach to keep improving his game.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update #4

In the second round of the singles at Calabasas Greg faced the No.6 seed and fellow Aussie 25 year-old Marinko Matosevic, currently ranked at his career high ranking of 157. Greg and Marinko have played each other a number of times with Greg having won their 1st encounter but Matosevic having won all the matches since then, so a tough assignment for Greg.



It was a very close first set with games going to 5-5. Greg then applied pressure to the Matosevic serve, getting the upper hand and breaking Matosevic to go 6-5 up. Greg served for the set confidently, winning the 1st set 7-5.

It was a very irritated Matosevic who served first in the 2nd. Greg took full advantage and immediately broke Matosevic and then held serve, then broke again to go to a 3-0, double break lead. A desperate Matosevic then went for everything, teeing off on return of serve and aggressively taking the game to Greg and managed to break back, 3-1 in games. Matosevic held serve and then again broke Greg again to level at 3-3. Greg hit back and broke Matosevic again to go 4-3 and then 5-3 up. Matosevic held serve and then put the pressure on a now rapidly tiring Greg who served for the match. Greg was unable to get to match point and it was Matosevic who again broke Greg to level again at 5-5. Matosevic held for 6-5 and then broke Greg again to complete a remarkable come-back to win the set 7-5 and level the match at 1 set all.
The third set belonged to Matosevic who broke Greg early and then ran away with the set, and the match, winning the set 6-1.

Calabasas Swim & Tennis Centre

Greg said he literally ran out of puff. The inability to train properly for the last six weeks, due to his knee injuries from the New York taxi accident and then the injury sustained in the final of the CW Games, had left him short on fitness and it caught up with him mid-way through the second set, after the closely fought, energy sapping first set.Greg was very disappointed, as he had played excellent tennis to get into a match winning position and was not able to go on with the job and finish off the second set.
Marinko went on to win the tournament.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update 3

In the doubles Greg had teamed with 28 year-old American Jesse Witten. Greg had planned to play with Aussie mate John Millman but John is suffering from shin splints, so he opted not to play doubles. They were up against the pairing of 25 year-old Canadian Chris Klingeman and 23 year-old Kiwi Michael Venus.

Greg and Witten were in total charge to start with, cruising the first set 6-0, and then lead 2-0 in the second set. Serving at 0-15, Witten served three double faults to lose his serve and then hardly hit a ball in court after that, losing the second set 3-6.

Witten then steadied himself, regained his composure and with Greg continuing to fire, they managed to re-assert their dominance and got through the match-tie break, winning it 10-3, to squeeze through to the 2nd round.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update 2

After half a week recuperating and buying a new Apple laptop computer in Tiburon, north of San Francisco, it was off south for Greg, down the coast to California to Calabasas, north of Los Angeles for the next Challenger tournament.

Greg said he was still feeling the effects of the injury to his achilles heel but it was improving every day.

Scheduled to play on Tuesday it was not until late in the day on Wednesday that Greg took to the courts for his 1st round match, due to persistent rain in the area.

His opposition was 18 year-old American youngster Daniel Kosakowski, currently at his high ranking of 732 in the ATP rankings. New on the tournament scene, Kosakowski had reached the final of a Futures Tournament the previous week and had come through qualifying to reach the main draw, so is a rising talent to be watched, but hopefully not at Greg's expense in this tournament.

In the end it was good draw for Greg as he dominated both sets in winning 6-2, 6-3. Greg said he had played well and his coach James Trottman said also said the same. Greg said he was aware of his achilles but it did not restrict his movement.

Back to the USA 2010 - Update 1

Greg did not have much time to relax and celebrate his silver medal. After a compulsory drug test he chilled out for awhile and watched the mixed doubles match, but then had to depart before the third set to get to the airport, along with Luczak and Ebden, for a 2:30am flight to Frankfurt, for a connecting flight on to Tiburon, California to play in a Challenger Tournament.

Russell, his dad, was also departing in the wee hours on a 3:30am flight to Hong Kong and met up with Greg at Delhi International airport and the news was not good, with poor Greg hobbling along in much discomfort. He had jarred his heel into the court surface which in turn twisted and jarred his left knee. Luckily the knee appeared unharmed but the achilles tendon was inflamed and very tender. Hopefully it would settle down in the next two days, as the Tiburon tournament had kindly granted him a Wednesday start for his 1st round match.

The Tiburon draw however was not kind and Greg faced the No. 1 seed, 24 year-old German Tobias Kamke, currently near his ATP best ranking at 88. We were not sure if Greg was going to play but he said his heel, whilst not 100%, was a lot better and that he felt obliged to play as Kamke had been waiting for the match. Greg said he did not play badly but did not have his full range of movement, going down to Kamke 6-2, 6-2.

Greg was not too upset and was glad that his achilles heel and knee came through the match well. He will relax and then continue on to the next tournament at Calabasas, California on the weekend, where he will begin training again. His coach James Trottman will join him again then, after having a weeks break, after a full week in Delhi as the Australian Men's team coach.

Commonwealth Games Update 8



Packed stadium - vocal local crowd

 Up against the No.1 seed and local hero 24 year old Indian Somdev Devvarman, Greg would also be battling against a vocal local crowd. On a warm evening with plenty of flying insects in the air the stadium was packed for the final. Greg's match followed an all Australian Ladies Doubles final, won by Rodinova and Peers who beat Moore and Rogowska. 

Gold Medal Final

With an electric atmosphere building it was Greg who served first and after a lengthy game got his name on the scoreboard. Devvarman held easily and games went to 2-2.  

Forehand volley

Devvarman does not have an attacking game but is very athletic, very consistent and accurate, forcing Greg to go for his shots and try and hit winners. Greg then missed two relatively easy volleys, with an open-court beckoning, after setting up the point on two occasions, on both occasions going for too low a percentage shot, giving Devvarman three break points at 0-40. Three massive points later and Greg had used his big serve effectively to even scores at deuce and then go on to hold his serve. Games went with serve to 3-3, with Greg making little in-road into the Devvarman serve. Devvarman then got Greg to 15-40. Greg saved the 1st break-point but a wide forehand gave Devvarman the break and a 4-3 lead. Greg stepped up and had 0-30 on Devvarman's next serve but Devvarman played his way out of trouble to go to 5-3. Greg then served a love game to keep the pressure on at 5-4 but Devvarman, supported by a raucous crowd, served out the game to win the set 6-4.
A turning point came in the 1st game of the 2nd set, when Greg had a bad moment, with his leg buckling under him, and he was forced to take an injury time out to have an assessment done on the cruciate ligament of his knee. Thankfully it was ok, but it was a very cautious Greg who returned to court at 15-30 down to continue serving. He was unable to perform at 100% initially and Devvarman was able to take advantage and break Greg to go 1-0 up.

Devvarman held serve easily and then raced to a 5-0 lead, breaking Greg three times in a row. The pressure of playing in front of his home crowd then played on Devvarman and with Greg moving with a lot more confidence, he forced Devvarman to deuce and then break-point, converting the opportunity and avoiding the "bagel" to get to 1-5. His confidence in his knees back Greg served strongly to hold for 5-2 but was unable to deny Devvarman the victory he so desired in front of the partisan crowd. To a deafening roar he won the final point and collapsed on court the Gold medal winner. Jonesie had won the silver.

The medal ceremony was held immediately after the match and it was a very proud Dad who watched from the VIP section for the final. Devvarman invited the two other medallists, Greg and Matt Ebden, onto the top step of the podium where they posed, arms around each other, for the photographers.

The Indian Ceremonial Guards

Greg was beaming from ear to ear and enjoyed every moment of his time in the spotlight. A wonderful achievement with memories that will last him a life-time.





Commonwealth Games Update 7

Greg prepares to do battle

The semi finals match was scheduled for Court 1, the Indian players (and No.1 seed) getting top billing on Centre Court as they should. It was a very sparse crowd, Russell and one other, that started watching the match but it did swell to about 20 during the course of the match. A pity because it was a cracker.

Greg was up against the No.2 seed 31 year-old Aussie Peter Luczak, a good mate of Greg and one of the nicest persons, who is currently ranked 133 and has an impressive high rank of 64 last year. So Peter is obviously the favourite.

With an amazing amount of dragonflies buzzing around on a very hot afternoon it was Greg who began proceedings. Greg started well, as did Luczak, with both players holding for 1-1. Another couple of good serves saw Greg go to 30-0, then an "ace" called wide unsettled him, breaking his concentration and allowing Luczak to break him. Greg immediately re-focused and brought up 2 break points on Luczaks next service game but three long returns saw Luczak hold and consolidate the break at 3-1. Greg held for 3-2 and then had two break point opportunities on Luczak's serve, this time converting to get back level at 3-3.

Semi-final on Court 1

Greg then confidently served a love-game to go to 4-3, and then another to go 5-4 up. Luczak countered Greg's serving and held his own serve, games going to the tie-break at 6-6.

In a very close tie-break it was Luczak who got the first break to go 5-3 up. Greg then served a double fault to give Luczak a set point. Greg saved one set point but could not deny Luzcak, who won the tie-break 7-4, and the set 7-6.

Luczak served first in the 2nd set and took a 1-0 lead. Greg saved two break points before levelling at 1-1. He then got Luczal to 0-30 but a lob hit long saw Luzcak recover and hold. Two aces helped Greg to another love game and scores were even at 2-2. In the next game it was a first for Greg as he chased a lob and then hit an amazing shot through the legs back into play and then won the point. Smiles all round. That would be one of the highlights of Greg's week no doubt.

At 4-3 down Greg hit 4 unreturnable first serves to level at 4-4. Then he brought up two break points on

Luczak's serve and broke to go 5-4 up, confidently serving out the set 6-4 to level the match at 1-1.

1 set all, what a scapper. Greg was in with a chance of playing for a medal.

With Luczak serving first again in the 3rd set, Greg kept the momentum going and broke Luczak in the 1st game and then served confidently to consolidate his lead at 2-0. At 2-1 Greg dug himself into a hole with two double faults giving Luczak a break point opportunity but Greg saved the point and closed out the game with an ace.

He then broke Luczak again in the next game to go a double break up at 4-1, and a medal beckoned for

Greg Jones. He still had some work to do though.

Greg held well for 5-1 and then got Luczak to deuce next game but Luczak held for 5-2. Serving for the

match and a games medal, Greg confidently went 40-0 up. Three medal points. Two points later and Greg

Winning score !

was in the final, playing for the Gold medal., having won the match 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2.

It is easily the best win of Greg's senior career and a well deserved one. He attacked at every opportunity, defended well and was mentally tough. He did well to come back from behind in the 1st set, only to lose the set in a tie-breaker and then set about the task of playing tough tennis to get back on even terms and then applied himself in the 3rd set to break Luczak and take the initiative. He attacked Luczak's 2nd serve and hit quite a few clean winners off the serve to put the pressure on Luczak's serve.

Amenities at the Games Village



Greg had a Commonwealth Games medal - now for the final to see what colour it would be.

 

Theatre at Games Village



Delhi CWGames courtesy car



Greg's dad, Russell ,was fortunate to be able to get into the Athletes' Village and was impressed by the amenities, the apartments (although the finishing was not good) and the meals served up. Amenities included an ice-cream parlour, virtual golf driving range, hair salon, post office, internet shop, bank, convenience store, an ampitheatre for TV and bands, travel agent, craft shop, merchandise shop (bad range and poorly stocked, a dicotheque and a bar. There was also a wrm up field and a 50m outdoor pool, as well as a small pool with cafe attached. In addition every two apartment blocks shared an entrance marquee which housed a games room, TV lounge room, masseuse rooms and an information centre.