USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #20

After a days break and another day's delay due to rain Greg took the court in the US Open qualifying 2nd round at Flushing Meadows to face 22 year-old Czech Dusan Lojda. Lojda, currently ranked 172, near his highest ranking of 161, is a very strong player with a powerful game.

Serving first Greg got off to a great start, holding serve and breaking Lojda to go to a 3-0 lead. Lojda held for 3-1 and Greg, winning his first 16 service points in a row, did likewise, getting to 4-1. Greg had a break-point opportunity to go further ahead but Lojda snuffed those out to go to 4-2. Then Lojda forced Greg to 30-40 and converted the break-point opportunity to get back to 4-3, then held serve for 4-4. Greg steadied to go 5-4 but Lojda held for 5-5. Lojda then again broke Greg, to go 6-5 up and serve for the set, which he did, turning the match around and winning the 1st set 7-5.

Regrouping, Greg held his first serve then brought up break-point opportunities on Lojda's serve. Lojda saved 3 break-points, denying Greg and getting to 1-1. Games went on serve to 3-2 with Greg ahead, when he got Lojda to 15-40 and managed to convert to lead 4-2. A break-back loomed in Greg's next game, going 0-40 down but he knuckled down and 5 good points saw him hold and go 5-2 up. Lojda held and forced Greg to serve for the set, which he did, bookended by two aces, to win the set 6-3 and even the match at 1-1 set all.

A tough 3rd set beckoned for both very evenly matched players, with Lojda serving first. Greg came back from 40-15 down to create a break-point opportunity but once again Lojda managed to save 3 break-points to hold and go 1-0 up. Greg immediately went 0-30 down but also dug his way out and held, games going with serve then to 4-3 Lojda leading. Lojda applied the pressure and Greg, missing a few 1st serves, found himself at 15-40 down. Improved serving saw him get to deuce but then Lojda brought up another break-point and converted, getting an important 5-3 lead.

With Lodja serving for the set and match he got to 40-30 but Greg fought hard, saving match point and then creating a break-back opportunity. Lojda  was not to be denied, saving that point and then serving out the game, set and match, advancing to the final round of qualifying after a hard fought match with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win over a very disappointed Greg, who had played very well but was just shaded in critical points by Lojda.

And so ends Greg USA Summer campaign. He will be returning back to Sydney next week for a couple of weeks rest and training before heading to Asia for a couple of Challenger tournaments before the Commonwealth games in October. It will be good to see the big young fella...

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #19

US Open time, qualifying tournament, saw Greg resident in Park Avenue and up against the No. 4 seed, 26 year-old Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin, currently ranked 115, with a high ranking of 82. A very tough assignment for Greg on a gusty, drizzly, cool New York day.

Play got underway about an hour later than scheduled due to the drizzle delaying start of play, but Greg was ready and serving first held well and then got  Roger-Vasselin (RV) to 0-40. RV responded and managed to hold, denying Greg the opportunity to take an early lead. Greg then faced break-points on his service game but was not able to save, dropping his serve to go 1-2 down. RV held for a 3-1 lead. He again pressurised Greg, getting to deuce and then bringing up break-point, converting to take a double break lead at 4-1. Greg was quick to get RV to 30-40 in the next game but RV was able to fight his way out and hold serve to go 5-1 up. Greg held for 2-5, then again had RV at 15-40 but could not convert, RV pouching the 1st set 6-2. The stats for the 1st set were very even, But the telling stat was that Greg was 0 from 8 break-point opportunities, while RV was 2 ffrom 4. Greg was creating more opportunities but converting none. Greg said RV had played very well in the 1st set, on a slick, fast court and that he had not played badly either, missing too many 1st serves.

Serving first in the 2nd set Greg managed to hold serve after a few deuce points, then games went with serve to 2-2. Then at 3-2 up Greg got another two break-point opportunities on RV's serve and broke to lead 4-2. Greg held and RV held and Greg was serving for the set at 5-3. Again, like last weekend Greg faltered, dropping his serve and allowing RV to close at 5-4. This time though, learning from last weekend, Greg kept his head high and stayed on the task, getting RV to 15-40 and converting to win the set 6-4 and level the match at 6-4. Greg said he had changed his game slightly, taking a bit of pace off his serve and getting more 1st serves in, playing more up and down the court to take away the angles which RV liked and also playing more to RV's fore-hand. He was also slicing more to slow the game down and negate the "slickness" of the courts. It must of worked...

Serving first again in the 3rd set, Greg again had a mammoth opening game but managed to hold. He then put the pressure on RV and brought up break-point opportunities, converting to go 2-0 up. After another long deuce game Greg consolidated the break, going 3-0 up. He again managed to get RV to deuce and then brought up a break-point, converting to take a 4-0 lead. The Frenchman's spirit was broken and Greg held easily for 5-0, then broke RV again to win the 3rd set 6-0 and advance to the second round of qualifying with a come from behind 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 win. Well done young man.
Greg plays his 2nd round match on Thursday. He needs to win 3 matches to advance to the main draw of the tournament. 1 match down, 9 to go - for the title.

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #18

The weekend saw Greg in New Haven, on the coast north-east of New York in the state of Connecticut, for the qualifying of the ATP 250 event. In an extremely highly ranked field, Greg drew the No. 2 seed, 26 year-old Argentinian Juan Monaco, currently ranked 31, with a high rank of 14, in February 2008. So a very challenging match for Greg against a well-credentialed, highly ranked and very experienced player.

The big serving New South Welshman got off to a good start in the first set and it was Greg who got the early break of serve. He held serve and then broke Monaco again to take a stranglehold on the set, claiming the 1st set 6-2.

In the 2nd set Greg again broke Monaco and then held serve to find himself 4-1 up. Greg held his nerve and games went with serve with Greg 5-2 up. Monaco held for 5-3, then Greg served for the match. Greg said he missed a few 1st sand got a bit "tight" and Monaco seized the opportunity, breaking back to 5-4 to avoid defeat, then holding to level scores at 5-5. Greg held for 6-5 and then Monaco took the set to the tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker it Monaco's experience which saw him break Greg twice and then serve out the tie-break 7-3, winning the set 7-6 and levelling the match at 1 set all.

Going with the momentum against a now highly frustrated Greg, Monaco broke Greg early and then stamped his authority on the match, holding serve and then breaking Greg again to win the set 6-1, and a closely fought match 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-1.

Greg was bouyed by his performance against a top ranked player but frustrated with his inability to close out the match.

He now travels to the Big Apple to contest the US Open qualifying tournament next week, hopefully with confidence that he can match it with the higher ranked players, he just needs to get a win on the board against them.

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE 17

Greg received news this week that he had been selected to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in October. Greg is one of a four man team along with Peter Luczak, Matt Ebden and Paul Hanley. Congratulations to Greg, who is the youngest of the four players.

Greg is currently in Boca Rotan in Florida in between tournaments. He and some other Australian and Dutch players are guests of an ex-South African coach, Stan Boster who coaches Aussie Matt Reid, Dutch player Igo Sijsling and occassionally South African Raven Klaasen. He is training extremely hard in the very hot Florida weather preparing as best he can for the USA Open qualifying, which begins in New York early next week, as well as enjoying some water sports on Stan's jet-ski and going to the movies.
This weekend, commencing Friday he is going to New Haven to play in the qualifying of the ATP 250 event to be held there next week.

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #16

After another days delay due to constant rain, Greg and Adam Feeney (pictured) finally got on court late on Friday evening for their second round doubles match in the Binghamton Challenger. Their opponents were the "Twin Towers" combination of Australians Carsten Ball and Chris Guccione, the No. 2 seeds for this event. Slamming down serves from 6'7" and 6'6" respectively, Ball and Gooch are ranked 66 and 85 in the ATP doubles rankings. Adam and Greg lost to them recently in straight sets, so had their work cut-out.

Guccione had played a singles match and a 1st round doubles earlier in the day so would be quite tired for this match, somewhat reducing the odds.

Greg and Adam got off to a good start and broke Ball and Guccione's 1st service game going to a 2-0 lead. Gooch and Ball got back to 2-1 then had Greg and Adam at 15-40, but some good serving saw them manage to hold and maintain their advantage at 3-1. Games went to on serve to 4-2, then 4-3, but Gooch & Ball again forced Greg and Adam to 15-40, this time converting to level at 4-4, then go 5-4 up. Greg and Adam held and got to the tie-break at 6-6. Ball and Gooch got n early mini-break to lead but Greg and Adam fought back to level at 4-4. Serves then dominated and they swopped set point opportunities at 6-5, then 6-7, then 8-7 when Greg and Adam broke to win the tie-break 9-7 and the 1st set 7-6.

The 2nd set was just as close an affair. Early in the set, at 2-1 up Greg and Adam had three break points  on the Gooch/Ball serve but could could not take the opportunity. They again had another opportunity at 4-3 up but Gooch/Ball managed to hold. Then Gooch/Ball managed to get a break opportunity and converted to lead 5-4, serving out the set 6-4.

The match tie-break 3rd set saw Gooch/Ball go an early mini-break up but Greg & Adam fought back and got the tie-break back on serve at 5-6 down. However they again dropped a serve to trail 6-7. Gooch/Ball served to go 6-9 ahead, then broke Greg & Adam again to win the match tie-break 3rd set 10-6 and a very close match 6-7, 6-4, 10-6.

A very improved performance by Greg and Adam but a match of missed opportunities, where Greg and Adam had double the amount of break-point opportunities but could not convert those opportunities into service breaks. In the end they could not topple the Twin Towers.

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #15

First round of the singles at Binghamton, NY, had Greg matched up against another American youngster 18 year-old Ryan Harrison, currently ranked 227. Harrison has the enviable record of being the youngest player to win an ATP Tour match, at the tender age of 15, so it will be an interesting challenge for Greg up against the young prodigy.
Serving first it was Harrison who held serve and then broke Greg's first service game to go 2-0 up. After a few break-point opportunities Greg managed to break back immediately and then levelled the scores. Games went with serve to 4-4, Greg unable to convert more break opportunities. Both players held for 5-5, then went to the tie-break at 6-6.
Harrison got the 1st mini-break to lead 2-0, with Greg holding to go 2-1. Harrison maintained his advantage to go 4-2 up. He served to take the score to 6-3. Greg served to save 2 set points and get to 5-6 down but could not prevent Harrison from serving out the tie-break 7-5 and winning the 1st set 7-6.
Serving first in the 2nd set Greg held to go 1-0 up. Harrison held for 1-1, then a massive game ensued with multiple deuces and break points against Greg but in the end Harrison managed to break Greg and go 2-1 up. Games went with serve to 3-4, with Greg desperate to break. At 3-4 down he got Harrison to 0-30 but could not get the vital break, Harrison holding to go 5-3 up. Greg then held to stay close at 4-5 and forced Harrison to serve out the match, which he did confidently, winning the 2nd set 6-4 and beating Greg in two closely fought sets 7-6(5), 6-4.
Greg said that he did not play badly, serving well and forcing Harrison to play his best game. Greg had more break-point opportunities but just could not get Harrison to buckle. Not much between the two players in the stats.
Greg still has his 2nd round doubles match to play, most probably on Wednesday, New York time.

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #14

After a few days resting and training in Washington, where Greg and John Millman were guests of the Roy family staying at the Watergate complex where the Roys are now resident, it was off to the Big Apple for Greg to play in the $50,000 Challenger event at Binghamton.
First up was the doubles, in which Greg was partnered by fellow Australian Adam Feeney. In the 1st round they faced young 18 year-old Americans Andrea Collarini and Bradley Klahn. Klahn had just had the best win of his fledgling career beating Aussie Carsten Ball in 3 sets earlier in the day.
Greg and Adam got off to a good start breaking the Americans early in the set and then holding their own service games before winning the 1st set 6-4.
The 2nd set saw the Americans hit back and break the Australian team to go up but Greg and Adam broke back immediately to level the scores. Another set of swopped breaks saw the second set head into the tie-break at 6-6. Adam and Greg where able to get up in the breaker and carry on with it to win the tie-break 7-3, and a close match 6-4, 7-6.

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #13

Bidding for a place in the Main Draw of the ATP 500 Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington DC, Greg had a tough task in the final round of qualifying against the No.6 seed 23 year-old ex-Barbadian Ryan Sweeting, ranked 119 on the ATP rankings.

Have not spoken to Greg about the match but it was a close affair, with just one break difference in both sets in a match which Sweeting won 6-4, 6-4. The Roys, who were courtside again, said it was a match of quite some pace and power with very little between the two players, except that Sweeting had a better first serve percentage then Greg.

Greg no doubt will be disappointed but will have been buoyed by his performance in this qualifying event. He has no tournament planned for this week and will train in DC, then head for New York for the next Challenger tournament at Binghamton.

Pictured is "The W", the hotel at which Greg stayed in DC, right next door to the White House

USA SUMMER CAMPAIGN - UPDATE #12

Due to heavy Montreal rush-hour traffic Greg missed his flight to Washington but was fortunate to get a seat on the next flight when 2 people failed to show for that flight. He was able to sign-in for the qualifying for the ATP 500 Legg Mason Tennis Classic event in DC.

His first round opponent was 27 year-old Colombian Carlos Salamanca, currently at a career high ranking of 146. A clay court player, Salamanca has reached three Challenger level finals this year, winning two of them, so will be tough opposition for Greg. Sitting courtside and lending support to Greg were the Roys, Greg's old school-mate friends, currently living in DC, with Cathy active in the Obama administration.

Greg got off to a nervous start and found himself 15-40 down in the first service game. Some good serving saved the break points and Greg was able to hold. He then got break-point on Salamanca's serve the next game and converted to take a 2-0 lead. A long service game then ensued but Greg was eventually able to win game point and go to a 3-0 lead. Salamanca's service game improved and he was able to hold serve easily for the rest of the set, while Greg continued to struggle on serve, but able to hang on and serve for the set at 5-3 up. He went 0-30 down but again righted the score with some aggressive serves, bringing up set point and converting to win the first set 6-3.

The second set saw Salamanca hold his first serve this time and again pressurise Greg to again bring up break point on Greg's serve. Greg again managed to get back to deuce then win the game to even at 1-1. A frustrated Salamanca then started to hit out a little more and Greg took advantage of some errors to break Salamanca and go a break up at 2-1. Greg held his next service game to go to a 3-1 lead. Salamanca again applied the pressure, holding his serve to go to 3-2 and then 4-3 down but, despite getting a few mini-opportunities, with Greg serving much better, Salamanca was not able to break Greg. At 5-4 up Greg served for the match  and went on with it, winning the 2nd set 6-4 and the match 6-3, 6-4.

A good result for Greg but he faces an even sterner match in the second round when he face the No. 6 seed, American Ryan Sweeting.