Nepean Tie-break Shoot-out

The inaugral Nepean Tie-break Shoot-out, held in Penrith over two days on Christmas Eve, offered the winner $10,000, a huge incentive for money poor young tennis professionals. The final day event was a knock-out format, with matches being the best of three 7-point tie-breaks. The first day was a round robin for unseeded players, with the top players in each pool advancing to the 32 round knock-out on Saturday. The top 8 seeded players played each other in a single 10 point tie-break to determine their ultimate seedings in the 32 man draw. Sounds like easy money for the winner but each match was a nerve-jangling experience for the player, and the spectators.
Greg was the No.1 seed and won six of his seven tie-break matches on the first day, thus remaining the No.1 seed for the knock-out phase of the event. The other seeded players were Sadik Kadir, Adam Feeney, Matt Barton, Dane Propoggia, Nick Lindahl, Isaac Frost and Jonathan Cooper, the only player whom Greg lost, in his final round robin tie-break.
Greg started a bit nervously in the knock-out phase, losing the 1st tie-break in his 1st round match against David Barclay 3-7. But he recovered to win the next two tie-breaks 7-0, 7-4. Greg then handled semi-reired former top Aussie player Goran Kovacevic well, winning 7-4, 7-2 before facing NSW's Simon Ede who knocked out seed Issac Frost. Greg served 5 aces in winning 7-2, 7-5.

Nick Lindahl and Greg

In the semis he was up against No. 3 seed Adam Feeney. Greg won a very tight 1st tie-break 7-5, getting the break on the last point, before Feeney evened the match at 1 tie-break all, winning the 2nd tie-break 7-3. The third tie-break was keenly contested, greg getting a mini-break to go 3-2 up, then serving an ace to consolidate the break. Serving well Greg maintained the advantage and ended the match on another ace to win 7-4 and advance to the final.
The final, with $10,000 for the winner and $500 for the finalist, was against Nick Lindahl, who overcame the No.2 seed Sadik Kadir in the quarter-finals, then knocked out Matt Barton in the semi finals.
It was Greg who got the early beak but Lindahl levelled, before Greg again broke to lead 2-3, winning 5 points in a row to win the first tie-break 7-2. The second tie-break again saw Greg get an early break but Lindahl levelled at 3-3, then went 4-3 up. An ace saw Greg get to 5-4, then he broke Lindahl to go 6-4 up, serving out the tie-break 7-5, winning the final 7-2, 7-5 and his second biggest pay-check in his career.
Greg returned superbly during the day, improving with every tie-break play, keeping the pressure on his opponents. He also served very well, mixing up his serve with some bomb aces and good sliders and kick-serves and deserved the win for his play and his professionalism.
Surprisingly the winner's prize-money offered in this event is the fourth highest in Australia.

AO WC Playoff #3

The semi-final of the AO Wild Card play-off was played on a hot very windy day, with the blustery wind making it difficult to play good power tennis and levelling the playing field in the match up of Greg against his fellow school team player, teenager 19 year-old James Duckworth. Duckworth has had a stellar year on the Futures Circuit this year, reaching six finals and winning three of them, reducing his ranking some 300 places to his current ranking of 274. Greg and Duckworth have never played each other at ATP/ITF level but Greg should be confident against the younger, clay court type player although the windy conditions will make play tricky.

James Duckworth

Duckworth won the toss and served first. Greg was quick out of the blocks and immediately had Duckworth at 0-30 but two loose forehands meant he could not keep the pressure on and Duckworth held, games going with serve to 4-3 up. With new balls in the seventh game Greg should have held serve easily but, after starting the game with an ace, he was unable to find another first serve in the windy conditions and went 15-40 down. He got the score back to deuce but Duckworth persisted and brought up two more break-points, converting to take the lead and serve for the set at 5-3. Greg had other ideas and with a few good returns and a few winners forced Duckworth to 15-40 and then broke him to get back on serve at 4-5. Greg held to love for 5-5, then broke Duckworth again, and after a huge effort and a big momentum swing, Greg served out the set, to end a remarkable come back to win the set 7-5.

In the 2nd set, Duckworth steadied the ship, winning his serve after losing 4 games in a row, and games went with serve to 3-2. Then Greg again inexplicably struggled with the new balls in the wind and faced break-point. He missed a close 2nd serve wide, double faulting to lose serve. Greg thought the ball was good and this seemed to upset him and drain him. Duckworth had an important break to lead 4-2. This time he consolidated the break in a love game, ending with an ace and then again broke a still clearly annoyed Greg, who had another close-call over-ruled by the chair umpire, to bring up set point. Greg double faulted giving Duckworth the game, and not forcing him to serve out the set, which Duckworth won 6-2. 

With Duckworth serving first Greg again had him in trouble immediately, bringing up break-point in the 1st game. Unfortunately Greg was not able to capitalise on a short 2nd serve, catching the net tape on the return and the chance was gone. As happens, Greg then faced break-point in the next game and saved two break-points before uncharacteristically double faulting on game point and then getting broken to fall 0-2 behind. Duckworth held to love for a clear 3-0 lead. Greg dug deep and held serve and then brought up break-point again. This time Duckworth saved with an ace but Greg again got to break-point. This time a high back-hand volley at the net proved to be too difficult in the wind and Duckworth held to go 4-1 up.

 Greg again was not done and held serve and then broke Duckworth to get back on serve and hold for 4-4. In Duckworth's next game Duckworth again faced break-point but Greg could not break. Score 5-4 to Duckworth. I the next game Greg had game point but another double fault saw Duckworth able to bring up match point. Greg played a great point, forcing Duckworth wide, stretching for the ball. Duckworth just managed to flick up the ball, which looked to be sailing well wide and long. Unfortunately the wind blew the ball back unto court. It clipped the line and Greg was not prepared, scambling to get to it and dumping a weak shot in the net to give the point and the match to Duckworth.

A very frustrating match for Greg, who in the 3rd set had game point in 9 of the 10 games but was unable take advantage of that fact, the wind playing a significant part in the outcome, being more in the favour of Duckworth's reliable back-court game then the big power game of Greg.

Greg will rue the chances he did not take, that loss no doubt hurting his chances of gaining any wild cards into the big tournaments this summer.



AO WC Playoff #2

The second round of the Men's AO Wild Card Play-off was played on a hot windy day. Greg and his opponent 21 year-old New South Welshman Dane Propoggia, currently ranked 666 were first match on court had possibly had the least wind on the day. Greg and Propoggia came through the NSW tennis juniors together so know each other well, with Greg having won all three of their past encounters, the last almost three years ago.

Dane Propoggia

With Greg serving first both players held their opening games confidently, Greg making unforced errors on his fore-hand early on. Propoggia forced Greg to deuce in the 3rd game but Greg was able to use his big serve to hold for 2-1, games going with serve to 4-3. Greg then had two break-point opportunites at 15-40 on Propoggia's serve but was unable to take advantage, Propoggia fighting back and holding serve. At 6-6 the tie-break saw Greg get an early mini-break but Propoggia hit right back levelling at 2-2. Greg then upped the ante winning the next 5 points to wrap up the tie-break 7-2 and the 1st set 7-6.

Jonesie watching his forehand


After both players held serve in the 2nd set, Greg forced Propoggia to break-point and broke his serve, for a 2-1 lead, consolidating by holding his own serve to lead 3-1. Greg kept the pressure on Propoggia, breaking his serve again to go to a 4-1, then 5-1 lead, going on to win the set 6-1, to advance to the semi-finals with a solid 7-6, 6-2 win.
Watch highlights of the match >
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLrbpc26n_4&feature=player_profilepage#t=132s

AO WC Playoff #1

After a week's holiday in Las Vegas with some of his tennis mates from the USA and elsewhere, Greg returned to Sydney for a few days. Then it was back to Melbourne to get into training for the Australian Summer of Tennis, starting with the Australian Open Wild Card Play-off, where the winner receives direct entry into the Main Draw of the singles of the Open.

With Greg being the fourth highest ranked player in Australia, and Tomic and Ebden ranked in the top 100 and Lleyton Hewitt already deservedly receiving wild card, Greg is the No.1 seed in the draw, of 24 players and received a bye through the first round of the play-off. In the 2nd round his opponent was teenager 19 year-old Queenslander Gavin Van Peperzeel, currently ranked 1056, a match Greg should deal with but for which he will be nervous.

Greg on Court

With Greg serving first, both players held serve before a double fault and a couple of winners from Van Peperzeel had Greg facing break-point. A dubious line-call gave Van Peperzeel the break and a 2-1 lead. Greg remonstrated with the umpire about the line-call and then really got fired up, breaking Van Peperzeel immediately to level the score at 2-2 then reeled off another seven straight games. He broke Van Peperzeel three times to win the first set 6-2.

Greg started the second set in the same vein, going to a a 3-0 lead and having a breakpoint to go 4-0 up but Van Peperzeel was able to hold serve for 3-1. Greg was serving well and was untroubled on serve in the 2nd set, going on to lead 5-2 and have three match points before Van Peperzeel held for 5-3, forcing Greg to serve out the match. Greg stepped up and showed his class by serving 3 first serve bombs and an ace to win the game and the set 6-3 and the match 6-2, 6-3 and progress to the quarter-final round.

Greg only plays again on Friday, as Thursday is a rest day.

Greg also helped out at the Draw for the play-off. View video on the Tennis Australia web-site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RyZmOagxMmk#t=0s

Asia-America tour #13

The second round of the singles in Champaign saw Greg up against compatriot 26 year-old giant Chris Guccione, currently ranked 282 but playing well below his level, with a high ranking of 67. Guccione accounted for the No.2 seed in the first round and the match could well depend on how his serve is firing. Greg will need to match his serving prowess.

Downtown Champaign



In the first set it was Greg who held his serve better, getting a decisive break against Guccione and going on with the momentum to win the set 6-4.

Aussie Chris Guccione



Guccione came firing back in the second set, as Greg dropped his serving intensity, and broke Greg twice to win the set 6-2 and level at 1 set all.

The third set was keenly contested but the flow was with Guccione, who broke a tiring Greg and then served out the set 6-3, to win a close match 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Greg had played well but had fallen off in intensity towards the end of the match. He says he is extremely fatigued and will not be travelling to Japan for the Challenger tournament, electing rather to return home and sort out whatever is wrong with him, recover and prepare for the Australian Summer Circuit.

Asia-America tour #12

The first round of singles in the Challenger tournament in Champaign saw Greg avoid the seeded players in the draw, up against big serving 25 year-old South African Fritz Wolmarans, currently ranked 283, with a high ranking of 198 in May 2011.
With no live-scoring available for this tournament, not sure how the games went but it was Greg who got the breakthrough in the 1st set and served out the set 6-3.

Fritz Wolmarans

The second set was again a close affair, with just one break of serve separating the players, with Greg getting the decisive break of serve and winning the set 6-4 and the match 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the 2nd set.
Greg said he played "awful" but that Wolmarans had played worse. Greg said he is lacking energy and feeling very lethargic and run-down, so is not performing to the best on court. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow in the second round.

Asia-America tour #11

Monday in Champaign, Illinois for the last of the USA Indoor Challenger Tournaments and Greg had his doubles match first, playing with his Canadian mate Pierre Duclos. Their draw was not a good one though, as they faced the No.1 seeds German Martin Emmrich and Swede Andreas Siljestrom, ranked 89 & 81 respectively in the doubles.
Greg said they did not serve well and fell behind a break of serve early in the first set. They were not able to recover and lost the set 6-3.


Champaign Atkins Tennis Centre

The second set was a rout for the No.1 seeds, who dominated, breaking Greg & Pierre three times and running away with the set 6-0, winning an easy match 6-3, 6-0. Greg said he is not feeling 100 percent at the moment, lacking energy, feeling fatigued and unable to get going. We hope he is ok, as he plays his singles match on Tuesday.

Asia-America Tour #10

Knoxville Indoor Courts

In Knoxville the 2nd round of the doubles saw Greg and Pierre up facing the unseeded pairing of Cheng-Peng Hsieh and Hsin-Han Lee of Chinese Taipei. It was the 2nd match of the day for Pierre who had narrowly lost to Harri Helivaara earlier in the singles.

Greg and Pierre did not start well, losing their first service game and then dropping serve again to trail a double-break down at 1-4. They rallied, breaking the Taiwanese pair to get the score back to 4-5 down.

With Lee serving they managed to bring up a sudden death deuce break-point, which was also a set-point to the Taiwanese pair, but could not win the point, losing the game and the set 4-6.
Greg and Pierre again started the set badly, losing their serve to trail by a break. This time though they were able to get back the break and even the set score at 2-2. At 4-3 up they managed to break again and served out the set 6-3, taking the match into the match tie-break at one set all.

Greg and Pierre immediately got a mini-break to lead 1-0 but then could not find a first serve and lost their next two points to trail 1-2. They levelled the score at 4-4 and then got their nose in front at 6-5 only to have the Taiwanese hold serve and lead 7-6. Greg & Pierre levelled at 7-7 but dropped the next service point to trail 7-8 and give the Taiwanese pair the opportunity to serve out the match tie-break, which they did, winning it 10-7 and a very close, tense match 6-4, 3-6, 10-7.

Greg will be disappointed as he hoped to go deep into the doubles draw and get some invaluable match play and doubles ranking points, especially as the No.1 seeds had been beaten in their side of the draw.

Asia-America Tour #9

In the first round of the doubles in the Knoxville Challenger Greg and partner, Canadian Pierre Duclos, were drawn to play the seeded pairing of Helivaara and Molchanov but Molchanov had been defaulted out of his singles match and was prohibited from then playing the doubles. The silly fellow had, in a moment of petulance, thrown his racket and it had hit a lineman in the shin and thus was defaulted. Instead Greg and Pierre faced the lucky loser pairing of Moldovan Roman Borvanov and Australian Nima Roshan.

Roman Borvanov

Serving first Greg struggled to hold his serve at the start, saving four breakpoints in getting to 2-2. Games went to 6-5 with serve, with Greg and Pierre unable to convert the single break-point opportunity given to them mid-set. With their opponents serving to stay in the set, Greg & Pierre applied pressure, bringing up 3 set points and converting to win the set 7-5.
Greg and Pierre improved their game in the second set and dominated but were unable to convert their opportunities at first. They continued to return well and broke their opponents to take a decisve lead, running away with the set comfortably 6-3, progressing to the second round with at 7-5, 6-3 win.

Asia-America Tour #8

This week it was Knoxville, Tennessee for Greg on the Challenger Tour for a $50k event. Seeded No.8 in the singles Greg avoided been drawn against the top seven ranked players in the draw but still got a difficult
draw in 33 year-old Finn Harri Heliovaara, ranked near Greg at 215, his

 highest ranking, so in good form.
With Greg serving first serve dominated on the fast indoor court surface with no points being lost against serve until the 5th game at 2-2. Greg held his serve though and games went to 5-5, with neither player giving up a break opportunity. Greg held for 6-5 and was then able to put the pressure Heliovaara, who was serving to stay in the set. Greg got Heliovaara to 15-40, then converted the 2nd break-point opportunity to win a close first set 7-5.

Indoor court view - Greg receiving

Serving first again in the second set, Greg held serve but was unable to make inroads into the Heliovaara serve, games going to 4-4. Greg then had a huge service game, going to deuce and giving up a break-point opportunity, his first of the match. Heliovaara pounced, converting the opportunity to go 5-4 up and then served out the set 6-4 to tie the match at one-set-all.

Heliovaara then capitalised on Greg's apparent loss of concentration and broke Greg for the second game in a row to lead in the 3rd set 1-0 and then 2-0. Greg fought back but could not get the vital break-point opportunity, games going with serve to 3-5 in Heliovaara's favour. Greg needed to hold to put the pressure on Heliovaara but was forced to 15-40 and with two match points Heliovaara broke Greg again to win the set 6-3 and the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

Finn Harri Heliovaara

A disappointing match for Greg, who should have had Heliovaara's measure. Greg started well but was not able to maintain his form and was not able to cope with or apply the pressure when required.

Greg still has his first round doubles match to come, to be played tomorrow.

Asia-America Tour #7

The first round of the singles in the Charlottsville Challenger presented a tough challenge for Greg in the form of the No.1 seed, 26 year-old Indian Somdev Devvarman. Currently ranked 79, with a high rank of 62, Devvarman has been the victor on their three previous encounters. Greg will need to play at his best just to stay with Devvarman.

Serving first, Greg got off to a cracker winning 7 out of 8 first serves to go 2-1 up. He then forced Devvarman to 15-40 and converted the 2nd break-point opportunity to go a break up at 3-1. He then quickly got to 40-15 before his first serve deserted him and Devvarman hit back, getting Greg to deuce and then breaking Greg's serve and holding his serve for 3-3. Greg held serve for 4-3 and then forced Devvarman to multiple deuces but could not get a break-point opportunity, games going with serve to 5-5. Devvarman then got Greg to 30-40 and converted the opportunity to serve for the set at 6-5. Greg was unable to hit back and Devvarman served out the game to 30, winning the set 7-5.

The Boars Head Club - venue for the tournament


It was an distracted Greg who started the 2nd set, quickly getting behind 15-40 and then dropping his serve to trail 0-1, then 0-2. Greg re-focussed, serving four first serves to get on the board at 1-2 but the damage had been done and he was forced to play catch-up.

Somdev Devvarman



Twice he had break-point opportunities on Devvarman's serve at 2-3 and 3-4 but Devvarman snuffed out those chances and held serve, getting to 5-3 up. He then attacked Greg's serve and forced Greg to 0-40, and three match points. Greg saved one match point but was unable to prevent Devvarman closing out the set 6-3 and winning a close fought match 7-5, 6-3. 

Whilst bitterly disappointed at starting the match so well and not being able to maintain the advantage, Greg said he had played well. It is the closest Greg has got to Devvarman in four matches and he created a lot of opportunities in the match which is promising. But back to the practice court for this week.

Asia-America tour #6



Venue for the Tour Event

 Greg had a two week break away from tournament play and spent the time receiving coaching and training with ex-top ten USA player Todd Martin in Jacksonville, Florida. Greg said the coaching, training and advice received was excellent and he benefited greatly from the training block. Hopefully that can translate into a good improvement on the tournament court.
This week Greg is in Charlottesville, Virginia for a $75k Challenger tournament. He was scheduled to play his 1st round doubles match first, partnering with good friend, 26 year-old Canadian Pierre Ludovic-Duclos. They were up against a wild-card pairing of Treat Conrad Huey from the Philippines and Englishman Dominic Inglot. Resident in Charlottsville, Huey is currently at a ranking high in doubles of 58, so will be keen to win and will be confident.

Treat Conrad Huey

In a close first set it was some double faults which proved to be Greg and Duclos' undoing, with Duclos serving two double faults in the 3rd game to gift a break to their opponents to go 1-2 down. Whilst Greg chipped in with a double fault of his own at set-point down at 3-5, 30-40 to hand the set 3-6 to Huey and Inglot.

The second set was also a close affair, with most games getting to 30-30 but Greg and Duclos were unable to get the break through, both sides holding serves to go to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break the pressure again told and at 2-3 Duclos double-faulted to give the advantage to Huey/Inglot, which they did not relinquish, winning the tie-break 7-3 and the match 6-3, 7-6.
Greg plays his first round singles match on Tuesday evening.

Asia-America tour #5

From Tokyo Greg flew to San Francisco, to Tiburon where his next tournament, a $100k Challenger, was to be played. The last acceptance in the draw, Greg would have to play at his best to progress through the draw. His first round match, scheduled for Monday was not played due to persistant rain and was re-scheduled for Wednesday. His opponent was the No.8 seed, 32 year-old grinder German Bjorn Phau, who has come to the fore in the twilight of his career, reflecting the aging game of world tennis, currently ranked 148 with a high rank of  59.

Greg served first and was immediately under pressure, forced to save a break-point in holding serve. Phau and Greg held before Greg brought up two break-point opportunities n Phau's serve, converting to go 3-1 up. Phau hit back immediately, breaking back and then saving a break-point to level the games at 3-3. Phau then broke Greg's serve to lead 4-3. Greg countered and broke Phau to level at 4-4, then held serve and broke Phau again to pouch the first set 6-4. 

With Greg serving first, services dominated the second set, with neither player giving up a break-point opportunity and games went to the tie-break at 6-6. Greg had served at 86% 1st serves, losing only 1 point on his 1st serve in getting to 6-6.

The tie-break was the complete opposite for both players. Greg lost his 1st serve, then won both of Phau's next points to lead 3-2, then lost both his serves (both 1st serves) to trail 2-3. Phau held for 4-2, then Greg broke him to get back on serve at 3-4. Greg held for 4-4, then lost his serve, another first serve, to trail 4-5. Greg broke Phau to level at 5-5. Two points from the win. But Phau held serve to bring up set-point, then broke Greg to win the tie break 7-5 and the 2nd set 7-6, levelling the match at 1-set all.

With Phau serving first in the 3rd set both player's held easily for 1-1, then Greg got Phau to 0-40. Phau responded with five good serves to deny Greg and hold serve for 2-1. Greg then faced break-point in the next game and Phau converted to take a 3-1 lead. Greg got Phau to deuce but could not get any further for Phau to lead 4-1. Greg could not close out the next game and saved two break-points before Phau broke Greg again and served out the set 6-1.

Greg will not be pleased wih that result. He had served well enough at 62% but Phau had returned well. Phau served at 40% but Greg could not convert enough of the second serves of Phau's that he saw. The tie-break was pivotal but Greg still had opportunities in the third set which the experienced Phau snuffed out.

Greg will be training with ex-USA top 10 player Todd Martin next week, so hopefully can get some invaluable coaching and improve his match game.

Asia-America Tour #4

Greg's next stop after Bangkok was Tokyo in Japan where he anxiously awaited whether he had made the cut for the qualifying for the ATP500 tournament. After being the 4th alternate he got the news that he was in following some withdrawals, so was happy to be competing. His first round opponent was the formidable giant Michael Berrer. The 31 year-old German was a late bloomer in the game and, after many years, hit the top 100 four years ago and is now a regular top 100 player, currently ranked 87 with a high ranking of 42.

Greg, serving first, over-pressed and had two double faults in the first game, losing his serve and quickly going a break-down. Berrer held confidently and then Greg held to love, games going to 1-3 in Berrer's favour, when Greg was forced to save a break-point before holding serve. At 3-5 Berrer forced Greg to 03-30 but Greg recovered to 30-30 but was unable to prevent Berrer winning the next two point and the set 6-3. Berrer had served an almost perfect set, only losing 1 point on his serve to Greg.

In the second Set Greg quickly put the loss of the first set behind him and got Berrer to 30-40, converting the opportunity, breaking Berrer completely against the run of play to lead 1-0 then 2-0. With Berrer serving well and Greg struggling with his serve but managing to win his service games, games then went with serve to 5-4, with Greg serving for the set, which he did, ending the set on an ace. Greg had served below 40% for most of the set but, having broken Berrer in the first games, had played the points well to hold on and win the set 6-4.

Michael Berrer



In the final set, Berrer had the advantage of serving first. Serve dominated the first 5 games but at 3-2 up,  Berrer was able to pressure Greg, who was serving the last game with the old balls, and broke Greg, to lead 4-2. With the new balls the 6'4" Berrer served five first serves to win the game to 15 and lead 5-2. Greg was not able to hold back the rampant German going down 0-40. Greg saved one match point before Berrer prevailed, wining the set 6-2, and the match 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Greg had not served at his best, whilst Berrer had served well, that most probably being the telling point of the match. Greg will train for a few days in Tokyo before heading to California for the $100k Tiburon Challenger starting next Monday.

Asia-America tour #3

The first round of theThailand Open, an ATP250 tour event, had Greg matched up against 24 year-old German Matthias Bachinger, currently ranked 98. With a high ranking of 85, recently recorded in August, Bachinger is in good form. A tough ask, but could this be Greg's first ATP win?

Centre Court - Indoors

With Greg serving first both players started confidently, games going quickly to 3-3. In the seventh game though, Greg was forced to save a brak-point, then two more before eventually winning the game to go 4-3 up. With new balls, both players held serve to get to 5-5. At the business end of the set Bachinger applied more pressure and had Greg at 0-30, then had a break-point at 30-40, converting to go a break up at 6-5. Bachinger confidently served out the set to love, winning the set 7-5.
Greg was immediately under pressure in the second set and Bachinger broke Greg and then held serve, having now won 5 games in a row to go a set and 2-0 up. Greg was forced to save another two break-points before stopping Bachinger's run and get to 1-2. Bachinger was serving at over 85% first serves and again hit four 1st serves to go 3-1 up, games going to 2-4. 

Matthias Bachinger



In the seventh game of this set Greg had a marathon game, showing his fighting qualities by saving seven break points and eventually holding serve after 10 deuces, to close out gap to 3-4. Bachinger then stepped up and served four 1st serves to get to 3-5.

Greg held for 4-5 and then fought to break Bachinger's serve, getting to 30-30 but could not deny Bachinger serving out the game, set and match, winning a close fought battle 7-5, 6-4.

Greg had fought hard but could do very little against a player who served at an incredible 81%, winning 90% of those serves, and also returning well. Greg served at a creditable 63% but Bachinger was too good on the day, and Greg will have to wait for another day to win his first ATP tour level match.

Asia-America tour #2

The final round of qualifying at the Thailand had Greg facing a tough assignment, the No.1 seeded qualifier, Rainer Schuettler. In the twilight of his career spanning 16 years to date, the 35 year-old German Schuettler, is still highly ranked at 114, with a top ten ranking high of 5.
Serving first on Centre Court Greg held comfortably, and Schuettler did like-wise, for 1-1. Greg served 3 aces to hold for 2-1, then returned well to force Schuettler to 30-40, converting the break-point opportunity to lead 3-1. Games went with serve to 4-2, when Greg, serving the seventh game with old balls was forced to 15-40. He saved the two break-points and then held to go 5-2 up. Schuettler held comfortably for 5-3, forcing Greg to serve for the set, which he did, serving an ace at 40-30 to win the set 6-3. 1-0 to Greg.

German Rainer Schuettler

In the second set Schuettler held easily, Greg less so in getting to 1-1. Greg then forced Schuettler to save a break-pont before converting the next break-point to go a break up at 2-1. He held a bit nervously to 30, then again pressurised Schuettler, to get him to 0-40, and then converted at the first opportunity to take a solid two break advantage at 4-1. Both players held serve for 5-2, with Greg to serve for the match.
It was a slightly tight Greg who could not serve a first serve, serving his second serve well enough though to bring up match point. Schuettler saved that to get Greg to deuce but Greg again produced another matrch point on a second serve. This time he managed to serve a first serve, winning the match 6-3, 6-2 to advance to his thirrd ATP 250 tournament main draw this year.
A great reward for the hard work he has put in this year. Greg served well, except for the last game which brought his stats down, serving 10 aces and only 1 double fault. He attacked Schuettler's serve, winning all of Schuettler's second serves in the 2nd set.

        Now for the Main Draw.

Asia-America tour #1

After almost three weeks back in Australia in Sydney and Melbourne, part R&R and plenty of hard training, it was off to Bangkok for Greg for the qualifying of an ATP 250 event, the Thailand Open. Having to win three rounds to qualify for the main draw, Greg was seeded No.6 and had a bye throught the 1st round. His 2nd round opponent was a local Thai player Aviruth Phaphui, unranked in the ATP singles, a match Greg would be expected to win.

With Greg serving first and holding serve, Phaphui was forced to save four break points before holding serve for 1-1. After that it was a matter of Greg concentrating and holding serve, breaking Phaphui twice, and serving out the set, to win the first set 6-1.
The second set saw Phaphui hold serve and get to 1-1 again before Greg broke serve and then comfortably holding serve to go 5-3 up. Greg broke Phaphui again to win the second set 6-3 and the match 6-1, 6-4, advancing to the final round of qualifying.
A much tougher assignment awaits Greg there, as he takes on the No.1 seed, German Rainer Scheuttler.