Oz Swing Feb2011 - Update #1

After a tiring two days of travel Greg arrived in Burnie, Tasmania from Honolulu on the morning of his first round singles match. Delayed due to a scheduling debacle of he doubles in Honolulu it was not ideal preparation for a match against the No.8 seed 22 year-old Japanese Tatsuma Ito, currently at his highest ATP ranking of 175, so in good form.
Late in the afternoon on a drizzly, windy day, serving first Greg dropped the first game to love, not an ideal start for his confidence. He bounced right back though, breaking Ito immediately to level at 1-1. The it rained and played was suspended.
On the resumption an hour later Greg struggled to get his serve going and at 3-3 was broken again  to trail 3-4. He again immediately brought up break-point on Ito's next serve but was unable to convert. Greg held for 4-5 and then again brought up break-point but Ito again recovered to deny Greg, then won the game and the set 6-4.
The third set continued in the same manner. It started badly for Greg, Ito forcing Greg to deuce and then breaking Greg to go 1-0 up. Greg got Ito to deuce but could not stop Ito going 2-0 up. Then Ito broke Greg again to lead a double break up at 3-0. The next ame was crucial and Greg responded, again getting Ito to save break point and, then after multiple deuces, hold serve for an unassailable 4-0 lead. At that point the fight was gone from Greg and Ito broke again and served out the set, to win the match 6-4, 6-0.
Greg was annoyed but philisophical about the loss, realising he was not totally prepared for the match against a quality opponent.