Commonwealth Games Update 4

Greg's 2nd round match was against 24 year-old Harshana Godamannafrom Sri Lanka, on court 4. A good junior player Godamanna has struggled to make in-roads on the ATP tour, with a current ranking of 1020.

Greg started well and got an early break off serve to lead 3-1. Harshana, with nothing to lose started hitting out and creamed some unbelievable winners off both wings. Nothing Greg could do except hang in there and hope Godamanna would start missing. Games went with serve to 5-5, Greg playing catch-up in most of the games. Now with something at stake, Godamanna' game retreated and Greg was able to get on top and break Godamanna, to lead 6-5 serving for the set. Godamanna hit out again and again broke Greg to level at 6-6 and take the set to a tie-breaker. Greg's big game took over and he asserted his superiority in serve and consistency and racked up a 7-1 tie-break score to win the 1st set.

Greg serving

It was so hot, play starting at 11am. The players took a toilet break to change shirts and cool down and I dashed off for some water, my clothes absolutely saturated. The only saving break from sitting in the sun was the pollution which took the sting out of the sun's rays.

The second set saw Greg's game improving and Godamanna tailing off. He just could got keep his big game going. Greg broke early to lead 3-1 and then clawed his way to a 5-2.



Greg at AthletesVillage

With Godamanna serving Greg was desperate to break him and avoid serving the match out. He got Godamanna to 30-40 for match point but Godamanna slapped an ace. This happened twice more until the 4th match point, where Godamanna eventually missed his ace attempt and Greg was able to get a look at a second serve and took his opportunity winning the 2nd set 6-2, for a 7-6(1), 6-2 victory.

Another good warm-up match for Greg, only his 2nd after his injury.

He now faces Brit and good mate James Ward in the quarter-finals.