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| Australian Open Series |
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.
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