In the second round of the doubles Greg and Rubin Statham were up against an Indian pairing of Divij Sharan and Vishnu Vardhan.
Greg said he did not play well, especially at the net as he and Rubin went down to the Indians in a quick two set match 6-1, 6-2. Greg thinks fatigue played a part in his not being as sharp as yesterday and, while he served well, he was not able to back Rubin up at the net, Rubin dropping serve twice in both sets.
Greg will return to Sydney tomorrow. It will be good to see the fella after more than a month away.
Mar 11, 2010
Kyoto Challenger, Japan Update #3
The second round of the singles in Kyoto had Greg facing local Japanese player 25 year-old Go Soeda. Currently ranked 235, Soeda had a high rank of 106 last year, so will be tough opposition.
Greg said he got off to a slow start and did not adjust to the super fast carpet surface quick enough, going down a break early in the set and not being able to recover, losing the 1st set to Soeda 6-2.
In the 2nd set Soeda again broke Greg early and went out to a 2-1 lead. Greg responded and broke back immediately to level at 2-2. He said he started playing really well and held serve easily to get go 4-3 up. He then broke Soeda to lead 5-3, serving out the set 6-3, to level the match at 1-set-all.
The 3rd set went with serve to 3-2 to Soeda. A couple of over played shots saw Greg go to 30-30. He then hit two good 1st serves but Soeda picked them and hit two consecutive return winners to break Greg and go 4-2 up. A good service game by Soeda stretched his lead to 5-2. He put the pressure on Greg, going for his shots, and was able to break Greg again and win the set 6-2 and the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Greg said his slow start was the difference in the match and that he had played well for most of the match.
Greg said he got off to a slow start and did not adjust to the super fast carpet surface quick enough, going down a break early in the set and not being able to recover, losing the 1st set to Soeda 6-2.
In the 2nd set Soeda again broke Greg early and went out to a 2-1 lead. Greg responded and broke back immediately to level at 2-2. He said he started playing really well and held serve easily to get go 4-3 up. He then broke Soeda to lead 5-3, serving out the set 6-3, to level the match at 1-set-all.
The 3rd set went with serve to 3-2 to Soeda. A couple of over played shots saw Greg go to 30-30. He then hit two good 1st serves but Soeda picked them and hit two consecutive return winners to break Greg and go 4-2 up. A good service game by Soeda stretched his lead to 5-2. He put the pressure on Greg, going for his shots, and was able to break Greg again and win the set 6-2 and the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Greg said his slow start was the difference in the match and that he had played well for most of the match.
Mar 10, 2010
Kyoto Challenger, Japan Update #2
Doubles action saw Greg and Rubin Statham of New Zealand team together and face the No.1 seeds, Australians Jo Sirianni and Rameez Junaid.
Greg said they played extremely well and combined like a seasoned pair to knock off the top seeds 6-2, 6-2. It was a match when everything they did worked and everything they hit fell in and, backed up by some raw enthusiasm, they frustrated their opponents and converted the opportunities they created.
Greg said they played extremely well and combined like a seasoned pair to knock off the top seeds 6-2, 6-2. It was a match when everything they did worked and everything they hit fell in and, backed up by some raw enthusiasm, they frustrated their opponents and converted the opportunities they created.
Kyoto Challenger, Japan Update #1
Spring in Japan and Greg was in Kyoto for an ATP Challenger event.
Seeded No. 5 Greg drew his good mate and doubles partner for this event in the 1st round, 22 year-old Kiwi Ruben Statham, currently ranked 297. Statham came to Japan directly from a Davis Cup tie in Sri Lanka where he underpinned the Kiwis win with two singles victories.
Greg got the jump on Statham at the start, breaking Ruben to go 2-0 up. On the lightning quick indoor carpet surface serves dominated thereafter and Greg took the first set 6-3.
Greg again got a good start to the 2nd set, breaking Statham to go 2-1, then 3-1 up. However a poor service game at 4-3 allowed Statham to break back and level at 4-4. Greg brought up another break-point opportunity in Stathams next service game but could not take the advantage, Statham holding serve to lead 5-4, and putting the pressure on Greg to hold. Statham brought up set point and converted to win the 2nd set 6-4 and level the match at 1-set-all.
In the 3rd Greg had early opportunities but could not get the break. At 3-3 Greg took advantage got Statham to 0-40 and converted the 3rd break-point to go ahead 4-3. Greg held for a 5-3 lead and then at 5-4 up served for the set. He went 0-30 down, then saved a break-point with an ace. A couple od deuces later Greg fired another two ace to close out the set 6-4, and win a tight match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Seeded No. 5 Greg drew his good mate and doubles partner for this event in the 1st round, 22 year-old Kiwi Ruben Statham, currently ranked 297. Statham came to Japan directly from a Davis Cup tie in Sri Lanka where he underpinned the Kiwis win with two singles victories.
Greg got the jump on Statham at the start, breaking Ruben to go 2-0 up. On the lightning quick indoor carpet surface serves dominated thereafter and Greg took the first set 6-3.
Greg again got a good start to the 2nd set, breaking Statham to go 2-1, then 3-1 up. However a poor service game at 4-3 allowed Statham to break back and level at 4-4. Greg brought up another break-point opportunity in Stathams next service game but could not take the advantage, Statham holding serve to lead 5-4, and putting the pressure on Greg to hold. Statham brought up set point and converted to win the 2nd set 6-4 and level the match at 1-set-all.
In the 3rd Greg had early opportunities but could not get the break. At 3-3 Greg took advantage got Statham to 0-40 and converted the 3rd break-point to go ahead 4-3. Greg held for a 5-3 lead and then at 5-4 up served for the set. He went 0-30 down, then saved a break-point with an ace. A couple od deuces later Greg fired another two ace to close out the set 6-4, and win a tight match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Mar 8, 2010
Top 200 Singles Ranking
In the latest ATP Singles Rankings Greg has achieved a milestone in his career - ranked exactly 200 - which puts him in the top 200 for the first time.
Greg has also achieved career high ranking of 5 in the Australian Men's Rankings published today.
Greg has also achieved career high ranking of 5 in the Australian Men's Rankings published today.
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