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.