The second and final round of qualifying at Indian Wells, California presented a very tough task for Greg, up against his Commonwealth Games final vanquisher, 26 year-old Indian Somdev Devvarman, currently ranked near his highest ranking at 84. Revenge would be sweet for Greg but very difficult to attain.
Serving first Greg held his serve but was soon under the hammer as Devvarman brought up break points in Greg's next service game, breaking to lead 2-1, then holding for 3-1. Greg could not consistently serve a first serve and Devvarman was returning those he did get in very well, again breaking Greg to take a stranglehold on the first set at 4-1. Devvarman served out the set 6-2.
Greg started the second set confidently, holding to love but again on his next service game faced two break points against him. He rallied to hold and games went to 3-2, Greg leading. Then Greg had a break-point opportunity on Devvarman's serve but was denied, games even at 3-3 and then 4-4 in the second set. Devvarman upped the ante and pressured Greg into giving up another break point. Greg could not save again and Devvarman took a 5-4 lead to serve for the match. 
Greg managed to get Devvarman to 30-40 but Devvarman saved the break-point to get back to deuce. Greg again brought up break-point but Devvarman saved again, then brought up match point, converting to win the set 6-4 and the match 6-4, 6-2. |
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