Honolulu Challenger - Update #5

After a scheduling mix-up by the tennis officials in Honolulu, Greg and Sam did not get to play their doubles semi-final on Friday but had to wait until Saturday to play, which left it very late for them to get back to Tasmania for their next tournament in Burnie, and impossible if the made the final.
Their opponents were the No.2 seeds Americans Robert Kendrick and Alex Kuznetsov. In a lack lustre display, with no incentive to proceed further, the Aussies went down 6-2,6-3, and then hurried to make their bookings to get to Burnie in time.
Kuznetsov was in the singles final but Kendrick did not stay for the final handing their opposing finalists a walk-over.

Honolulu Challenger - Update #4

In the second round of the doubles Greg and Sam faced an experienced doubles player Travis Parrott, who was combining with fellow American Bobby Reynolds, also with years of experience.
The American pair showed their court craft in winning the first set 6-3.
The Aussies however were not to be out-done and responded, getting their big serves working and reversing the score-line, winning the second set 6-3, to level the match at one set all.
The third set in the doubles at this level is a match tie-break - first to ten points with a 2-point advantage. It was a very close affair, with both pairs staying close in score until near the end, with Greg and Sam getting the vital break and then maintaining the advantage to win the match tie-break 10-8. A very close score-line 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 which saw them advance to the semi-finals.

Honolulu Challenger - Update #3

In the second round of the singles in Honolulu Greg had a difficult task, up against the No.3 seed American Ryan Sweeting, currently ranked 140 places higher than a Greg at 116, with a high rank in November of 109. Sweeting had recently qualified for the Australain Open singles.

In a close first set it was Sweeting who got the decisive break and went on to pouch the first set 6-4.

Greg maintained pace with Sweeting in the second set, with Greg serving first games went to 6-5, Greg leading. He managed to get a set point on Sweeting's serve and converted to win the set 7-5, and level the match at one set all.

With Greg serving first in the third set games were close. Greg said it was a strange set as Sweeting, annoyed at losing the 2nd set appeared to be tanking, teeing off on shots, but they shots were all falling in. Games went to 5-4, Greg leading, when Greg managed to get Sweeting to15-40 and had two match points. Sweeting served to good first serves and the opportunity was lost for Greg. Sweeting held serve for 5-5, then in the next game brought up break points on Greg's serve and converted to go 6-5 up. Sweeting served out the game to win a very close match 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

Greg was bitterly disappointed at having come so close and not being able to convert the match points. He said he had played "up and down" and has room for improvement.

Honolulu Challenger - Update #2

The first round of the singles in Honolulu saw Greg, unseeded, up against another unseeded player, wild card recipient 19 year-old American Devin Britton, currently ranked 798.

Greg said that he was relatively untroubled on his serve, giving up just four points in the first set. He broke Britton early in the set and served out the set 6-4.

The second set followed much the same pattern. Greg broke early and then got a few more break point opportunities but could not break again. He was untroubled by Britton on his own serve and served out the set, again 6-4, to win the match and progress to the second round.

Honolulu Challenger - Update #1

It was a departure from the norm for Greg, missing the second week of the Australian Open and jetting off to Honolulu for a Challenger tournament. First up for him was the doubles, partnering Sam Groth again. Surprisingly seeded No.4 their first round match was against Slovenian pair of Grega Zlemja and David Lenar.
It was atight first set, going all the way to the tie-break, where the big serving New South Welshmen sneaked past thier opponents to win the tie-break 8-6 to snare the first set. The second set was almost as close, the Aussies managing to get a break of serve up on their opponents, then held serve to win the set 6-3 and the match 7-6(6), 6-3.
Greg was pleased with the location - the tennis centre and the hotel -  and was enjoying the trip.

AO Series 2011 - Update #9

In the second round of the doubles Greg and Sam were up against the No.4 seeded pairing of Lukasz Kubot from Poland and Oliver Marach of Austria. An accomplished doubles pair they would be a tough assignment for the Aussie pair, before a large crowd on Margaret Court arena in an evening feature match..
The match started well with big Sam serving out the 1st game with ease and the Aussie pair forcing the No.4 seeds to deuce before their opponents held for 1-1. Greg served next but his first two serves were both returned and Sam made volley errors at the net on both points. 0-30 down Greg went for more on his serves and double faulted to go 0-40 down. A good first serve saved one break point but another double fault gifted the No.4 seeds a break, to go 2-1, then 3-1, up. Sam began his service game with a double fault, eventually losing his serve to go 4-1, then 5-1 down. Another double fault by Greg, some great returns of good first serves and some poor volleying saw Greg and Sam drop serve again, losing the first set 6-1.
The second set started better for the Aussie pair with both Sam and Greg holding serve to get to 2-3 down. The No.4 seeds were on fire though, and broke the Aussie pair again, then stamping their authority on the match with some good serving and excellent doubles play, winning the third set 6-3 to bundle out the Australians from the doubles, 6-1, 6-3.
Greg was not impressed with how they had played overall but acknowledged that the specialist doubles No.4 seeds had played exceptionally well, returning Sam and his big serves well, and volleying better than the Aussie pair.
All in all it was Greg's best performance at an Australian Open and hopefully bodes well for the year to come. He now travels to Honolulu to commence the Challanger circuit tournament for 2011.

AO Series 2011 - Update #8

Playing in the first round of the doubles with fellow Aussie, giant 23 year-old Sam Groth, Greg and Sam were up against compatriots 31 year-old Peter Luczak and 23 year-old Matt Ebden, both pairings receiving a wild card entry to compete in the event. Both Peter and Matt have singles and doubles ranking higher than Greg and Sam, so it would be a very tough match for them.
In the first set big 6 foot 5inch Sam's serve got firing but Greg could hardly buy a first serve and, after failing to take three break point opportunities on Luczak's serve early in the set, it was Greg who got broken, for Luczak and Ebden to take the advantage and get to 5-3 up. Greg and Sam held and then broke Ebden to level at 5-5. In the next game Greg was forced to save two break points, pulling out a 209kph serve to do so, then getting to the tie-break at 6-6. Greg and Sam went to an early lead in the tie-break but were pegged back. They took the lead again on the back of a monster 233kph serve by Sam and won the tie-break 7-4, pouching the 1st set.
The second set saw Ebden/Luczak break Greg's serve early and take the lead. They held their service games with ease, not allowing Greg & Sam back into the set, and won the second set 6-3, levelling the match at one set all.
The 3rd set saw a big improvement in Greg's serve. Sam started serving and won the first game with two aces, then Greg held to love, games going with serve to 4-3. They then managed to force a break-point opportunity on Ebden's serve and converted to take a 5-3 lead. Serving for the match Sam started nervously, double faulting and then losing a good point to go 0-30 down. A 226kph bomb got them back into the game. Luczak brought up a break point but Sam held then brought up match points, converting on their 2nd chance to win the set 6-3 and a close match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Greg and Sam were delighted with the win, Greg having equalled last year's Oz Open doubles result. Both were looking forward to their 2nd round match.

AO Series 2011 - Update #7

The final round of qualifying for the Australian Open saw Greg shape up against the No.1 seed 23 yeard Slovenian Blaz Kavcic, currently ranked 98, near his high rank of 96.
On a sunny warm day it was Greg who served first and held confidently to love, then forced a nervous Kavcic to15-40 in his first service game. Two break points early in the match but Kavcic responded and held for 1-1. In the next game a net cord bounced over Greg's racquet at the net to deny Greg a game point and go to deuce. Kavcic road his luck and forced a break point.

Greg saved but Kavcic repeated the dose, this time breaking Greg to go 2-1, then 3-1 up, then go to 4-2 up. A long game then saw Greg save two break points to stay close at 4-3. Greg saved another break point to get to 4-5, then managed to get two break-point opportunities when Kavcic was serving for the set. Greg was unable to break and Kavcic won the set 6-4.
The second set saw Greg hold serve then again bring up a break point on Kavcic serve but again he was unable to convert and the score was 1-1, then 2-1 and 2-2. Greg then faced two break points, saving the first with an ace but he was unable to prevent Kavcic going 3-2 up. Greg responded immediately getting Kavcic to 30-40 but Kavcic held for 4-2. On the back of two aces Greg held for 3-4, but Kavcic also held to lead 5-3. Greg held to love for 4-5 and forced Kavcic to serve out the match, which he did, serving to love to win the set 6-4, advancing to the Main Draw with a 6-4, 6-4 win, in a longish match lasting almost two hours.

Greg was bitterly disappointed. He felt he had not performed to his best, not being able to convert any of the six break-point opportunities he created. His feet still hurt from the match the day before and he was exhausted from the previous days effort. None the less, he had a good week in winning two matches, his best performance thus far in a Grand Slam qualifying tournament.
He has received a wild card into the Men's Doubles with partner Sam Groth.

AO Series 2011 - Update #6

Second round of qualifying at The Australian Open and Greg was forced to wait an extra day for his match due to persistent rain all Thursday, his scheduled Friday match postponed to Saturday. His opponent was the No.25 seed, 6 foot 4 inch giant 25 year-old Serbian Iliya Bozoljac, currentry ranked 151, with a high rank of 101. It was a perfect hot humid day, albeit very noisy as it was "Kid's" day at Melbourne Park, with many distractions of spectators walking into the stadium area during play.
With Greg serving first, it was serves that dominated the 1st set with no player giving up a break point opportunity, or getting to deuce, with games going to the tie-break at 6-6. The tie-break was just as tight, with both players holding serve until Greg got a mini-break to go 4-3 up and then held serve to lead 6-3 with 3 set points. Bozoljac saved the first two then Greg served to win the tie-break 7-5, and the set 7-6.
With Bozoljac serving first in the 2nd set, serve again dominated. Bozoljac was holding his side as if troubled and was annoyed with the outside noise and crowd distraction, allowing Greg to bring up break-point twice on Bozoljac's serve at 2-2, but two aces and good serving allowed Bozoljac to hold for 3-2. Games then went with serve to 6-5, Greg holding to love to go to the tie-breaker again at 6-6.

The tie-breaker was an eventful affair, Greg taking an early lead to go 3-0 up, then get to 2-4. Bozoljac broke back to 3-4 but then double-faulted to hand back the break for Greg to lead 3-5. On the next point both players stopped when the serve was about 30cm wide, but the linesman was unsighted and the umpire called the ball in, handing Bozoljac the point for 5-4. Greg served for the set but Bozoljac broke back, 5-5. Greg held and had match point at 6-5, on Bozoljac serve but was denied. Then an ace gave Bozoljac a set point at 7-6, which Greg saved with an ace, for 7-7. On the next point Bozoljac broke Greg and then served for the set, winning the tie-break 9-7 and tying the match up at 1 set all.
The 3rd set commenced with Greg serving first, games going with serve to 2-1. Greg then had an injury time out to have plasters put on his toes which were blistering. Play then continued to 3-2 when Greg got Bozoljac to 15-40 and had two break-points but was not able to convert, Bozoljac holding serve after a couple of deuces. Games went to 4-4 when it was Greg's turn to face two break points at 15-40. Greg was not able to save and Bozoljac broke to lead 5-4 and serve for the match. Greg was not finished though and took the game to Bozoljac and broke back to level at 5-5, then holding serve to love to lead 6-5.

Serve dominated the next few games with plenty of aces from both players, to 8-8. Greg then faced two break points at 15-40 but some good play saw him get to deuce and hold for a 9-8 lead. Bozoljac double faulted to start the next game and then Greg got him to 0-40 to bring up three match points. Bozoljac saved one point and then drifted a cross-court forehand wide for Greg to win the set 10-8 and a very closely fought 3hour 15min match 7-6(5), 6-7(7), 10-8.
What a grind. A very good mental match by Greg, in hot demanding conditions, which left him quite drained for his next match on Sunday.

AO Series 2011 - Update #5

The Australian Open Qualifying tournament commenced at Melbourne Park with Greg needing to win three matches to get into the Main Draw. His first round opponent was wily 30 year old Frenchman Olivier Patience, currently ranked 196 and a high rank of 87 in 2004.
After a long wait for rain delays Greg started an evening match well holding serve to love and then forcing Patience to deuce, to get to 1-1. Greg then could not get his serve firing, hitting consecutive double faults to hand Patience a break of serve. Greg broke back to level at 3-3 but with no first serves in the next game dropped serve again to trail 3-4. Greg was able to match Patience from the back of the court but could not break him and Patience won the 1st set 6-4.

Greg hits a back hand

In the first game of the second set Greg initially was still serving poorly, facing multiple break-points but then started hitting his big serves in, getting back from 15-40 down and then saving further break-points to win the game. Patience was forced to save break points in the next game but levelled the score, games then going with serve to 4-4. Greg then faced a break point but managed to save and go 5-4 up. He upped the pace and had Patience facing 3 break/set points but some good serving saw Patience get back to deuce. A double fault by Patience then saw Greg have another set point. Some luck for Greg saw Patience's 1st serve hit the net and appeared to fall in. The umpire called a let but then the linesman called the serve out and the umpire then said "second serve". Patience did not hear and hit ostensibly his next serve as a 1st serve out. Double fault and Greg's point and the set 6-4. Patience disputed the 2nd serve call but it was quite audibly, even if the "out" call was not correct.

Frenchman Olivier Patience

The 3rd set saw Greg start serving very well, two aces helping to win the first game. He then broke Patience in the 2nd game for a 2-0 lead. A short rain delay ensued, games going to 4-2 and then further aces helped Greg to a 5-2, then a 5-3 lead. Serving for the match, Greg served 5 first serves but some excellent returning by Patience, coupled with a net cord winner and two shanked returns forcing Greg's errors, saw Patience break back and then hold for 5-5. Greg was unfazed and continued playing well, taking the game to Patience. Games went to 6-6, and being a Grand slam with no tie-break in the final set, then to 7-6. Geg then brought up a match point which Patience saved with a good serve, getting to 7-7. With new balls Greg held to 30 against a fired up Patience, both players playing to the max, to go 8-7 up. Greg then fought back getting Patience to 30-40 and another match point for Greg, saw a Patience forehand going wide against an approaching Greg, for Greg to win the match 9-7 in the 3rd set.

 Greg had started off very nervously and poorly but to his credit did not give up and played himself back into form and back into the match for a deserved and creditable win. Greg hit over 60 winners in fashioning the win.

AO Series 2011 - Update #4

The Medibank International qualifying was the next stop for Greg, on his old stomping grounds at Homebush. It was a very high standard in the qualifying with the cut-off being the 153rd ranked player, the top seed ranked 58 and the last seed well below 100 at 79. Needing to win three matches to qualify, Greg was granted a wild card into the event and drew the No.2 ranked Australian player, and good mate Peter Luczak, currently ranked 136, in the 1st round. A tough first up match.

Playing on Centre Court with a 9am start, it was a half-asleep Greg, not used to being up so early, who commenced serving. He started well, holding serve and then forcing Luczak to break-point with some great returns. Luczak was able to save the point and then hold serve for 1-1. Luczak then forced Greg to 15-40 and two break-points. Greg saved the 1st with an ace and then served and volleyed on the 2nd serve to save the next point and get to deuce. Break-points and game points followed but Greg was unable to hold serve and Luczak took a 2-1 lead, serving for 3-1. Greg then slumped to 30-40 after leading 30-0, saved the break-point but again could not close out the game, with Luczak breaking again for a 4-1 lead. Luczak served for 5-1 and then again forced Greg to save break-points at 15-40, which he did this time get to 5-2, but he was unable to stop Luczak serving out the set 6-2. 

Peter Luczak

The 2nd set continued in the same vein, Greg going down 0-30, then serving two aces for 30-30 but then losing the serve to go 1-0 down. Luczak was serving well and held to love for a 2-0 lead. Greg starting making some 1st serves and steadied the ship at 1-2. He then got into the rhythm and returned well, bringing up 3 break-point opportunities at 0-40. Luczak responded and got back to deuce but Greg persisted and broke back, levelling at 2-2, then held serve for a 3-2 lead. Luczak held serve and then broke Greg again to go 4-3 up. Greg hit back against a tightening Luczak and levelled at 4-4. With new balls Greg served for a 5-4 lead and put the pressure on Luczak to hold serve. Greg got a nervous Luczak to 15-40 and was gifted the set when Luczak double-faulted, to win the set 6-4. One set all.

Greg started the 3rd set confidently but only served 1 first serve in the opening game, allowing Luczak to force him to deuce and then break Greg's serve to lead 1-0. Luczak held to love and then attacked Greg's serve, bringing up break-point on the back of only one 1st serve by Greg and converting to take a decisive 3-0 lead. A fired up Luczak now held and then broke Greg again, whipping through the last set for a 6-0 win, winning the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-0.

Greg was bitterly disappointed. He had not served well and had found the Centre Court, which is not used a lot, to be a lot slower and bouncier than the outside courts, which affected his game. He also revealed later that he had not been able to practise serving that week as he had had shoulder trouble during his matches in Brisbane.

Now on to Melbourne for the Australian Open qualifying tournament, starting on Wednesday.

Peter Luczak unfortunately lost the next match to No. 5 seed Lukasz Kubot, ranked 70.

AO Series 2011 - Update #3

The 3rd and final round of qualifying for the Brisbane International presented Greg with a real challenge, up against a player he had never beaten before, fellow Australian 23 year-old Matt Ebden, currently ranked 196, with a high rank of 162 in August 2010. Ebden has a naggingly accurate game, with not a lot of pace and is extremely quick and fit, forcing his opponents to play a lot of balls and forcing them to make errors, rather than him hit winners. He has no great weapon but works the point well and also has the ability to pass a player approaching the net.
Greg started well holding his first three service games but at the same time unable to make any impression on the Ebden serve, not winning a single point on Ebden's serve in getting to 3-3. Ebden then used this pressure to get Greg to 15-40 and have to break point opportunities. Greg saved the first but was not able to prevent Ebden from converting the second to get the break of serve and take a 4-3 lead. Greg eventually managed to win a point on Ebden's serve but Ebden still consolidated for a 5-3 lead. Then when serving for the set at 5-4 Ebden tightened up and Greg was able to capitalise, win a few morepoints and bring up his own opportunity to break back at 30-40. But Ebden responded and closed out that opportunity, going on to win the game and the first set 6-4.
Both players held their opening service games before Ebden forced Greg to 0-40. Greg managed to save the three break-points and get back to deuce but Ebden forced another break point and converted and took a handy 2-1 lead. Greg was unable to make in-roads into Ebden's serve and Ebden held for a 3-1 lead. On Greg's next service game he again was forced to 0-40 and again saved the three break-points before history repeated itself and Ebden broke again for a 4-1, double break lead. Ebden served for 5-1 and then again broke a struggling Greg to close out the set 6-1, and win the match convincingly 6-3, 6-1 and advance to the main draw of the tournament at Greg's expense.
A disappointing end to a promising qualifying tournament for Greg. He was not happy with his performance although he had served well. Ebden had returned well and had won the majority of the longer rallies, and had held his service games well.

AO Series 2011 - Update #2

The second round of qualifying in the Brisbane International saw Greg up against another German, this time it was 27 year old Bastian Knittel, currently ranked 220, with a high rank recently achieved of 208.

Serving first it was a slow start for Greg but he managed to hold his first game when only serving two 1st serves. At 2-1 Greg broke Knittel's serve when he was serving at almost 100%, to lead 3-1. Knittel broke back immediately, then held serve to level the score at 3-3. Greg regrouped and held, then broke Knittel again to lead 5-3. Greg stepped up and served out the set 6-3.

The Brisbane Tennis Centre

Knittel served first in the 2nd set and immediatley had to save a break point against Greg to go 1-0 up. From then both players held their serves well, games going on serve to 6-5, Knittel leading. Greg had to serve to save the set and started well to get to 40-0 on the back of two first serves. He then saw Knittel get to 40-30 before closing the game off to go to the tie-break at 6-6.

Knittel held for 1-0, then won one of Greg's serves to go 2-1 up. Greg hit back to level at 2-2. They changed ends at 3-3 and then Greg took the lead on serve at 4-3. He won another of Knittel's serves to go 5-3 up, and then served for the set at 5-4. Knittel broke back to level at 5-5 but Greg held his nerve and next serve to go 6-5 up, with a match point, but on Knittel's serve. Greg won the next point, winning the tie-break 7-5 and a close fought match 6-3, 7-6(5).

Two down and one match to go in qualifying. Greg plays his final qualifying match tomorrow.

AO Series 2011 - Update #1

Australian Open Series

After two weeks intensive training and hitting at Melbourne Park with Tennis Australia's fitness coach Yukada and coach James Trottman, with only Christmas Day off, Greg departed for Brisbane to compete in the Qualifying for the Brisbane International, courtsey of a wild card from Tennis Australia.

It was not the best of draws for Greg as he drew the No. 4 seed, the experienced 29 year-old German Simon Greul, currently ranked 130 but bragging a high ranking of 55 in 2010, so in good form.

Serving first Greg held serve and then forced Greul to 15-40, and converted the 2nd break-point to take an early lead, confidently holding serve again to take an early lead at 3-0. Greul held and then forced Greg to save a break-point, which Greg did with a timely ace, games going to 5-3 with serves. With Greg serving for the set, Greul upped his game and broke Greg to love, then serving to hold to love, winning 11 points in a row to get level at 5-5. Greg steadied and held for 6-5, Greul also holding to take the set to the tie-break at 6-6.

In the tie-break, Greg's served and returned at his best, with each of his 5 serves aces, breaking Greul twice to dominate the tie-break and win it 7-2, and the first set 7-6.
In the second set, with Greul serving first, at 1-1 in games, Greg brought up a break-point and duly converted to take a 2-1 lead. He served confident to consolidate at 3-1, then 4-2 up. He then again broke Greul, after Greul saved the first break-point, to go a double break up at 5-2. With Greg serving for the match Greul fought back and brought up two break-points. Greg saved the first break point with an ace, then saved the second to get to deuce. Greul was not to be denied and with Greg missing his first serves broke Greg to get one break back, at 5-3. Greg responded and immediately had Greul in trouble, getting him to 15-40 down and bringing up two match points, converting to win the 2nd set 6-3 and the match 7-6(2), 6-3.
A great character building match for Greg, which saw him start well, weather the storm mid-match and then dominate the tie-break and 2nd set to record a solid win over a higher ranked opponent.
Greg plays his 2nd round match on Sunday, having to wn another two match to qualify for the Brisbane International main draw.