UK Tour 2011 #2

First event back for Greg after his ten days of recovery was the Qualifying for the ATP 250 tournament at Queens Club in London. It was not a favourable draw for Greg, as he was up against the No.1 seed, 28 year-old American Bobby Reynolds, currently ranked 109 with a high rank of 63 in 2009. A tough assignment first up for an under-done Greg.
Serving first Greg managed to hold his own serve with games going to 3-3, although his 1st serve percentage was not good. At 3-3, the last game before new balls, Reynolds forced Greg to 0-40 and converted at the first opportunity, taking a decisive 4-3 lead. Reynolds held easily and though Greg managed to serve 3 aces to get to 4-5 down he was unable to make in-roads into Reynolds serve, and Reynolds served out the set 6-4.

In the 2nd set Greg's serving woes continued, struggling with his first serve and only winning a low 35% of those 1st serves he did make. Fortunately he was playing well enough on his 2nd serve and after saving a break point against him in the first game managed to get to 3-2. Greg then got Reynolds to deuce and his advantage, a rare break-point opportunity. Reynolds responded and saved the point, and then again faced break point but saved again, and games went to 3-3.  

Then it was Reynolds turn, bringing up a double break point opportunity but this time Greg was able to save the points, courtesy of a 2nd serve ace and get to 4-3. His serving improved slightly but was still below 50%. Games went to 5-5 when Greg again faced a 0-40 score and 3 break points against him. Reynolds broke and went ahead 6-5, serving for the set. But Greg was not done yet. He returned the pressure on Reynolds and broke serve, levelling the score at 6-6 and taking the set into the tie-break.

Bobby Reynolds

Greg's 1st serve returned in the tie-break but it was unfortunately to his detriment, Reynolds winning two of the three 1st serves Greg served and with Greg unable to gain a point of Reynold's serve it was Reynolds who won the tie-break 7-4 and a close match 6-4, 7-6.

Greg was disappointed with the result but will be pleased with his effort despite his first serve not being there on the day. Ironically he lost 49% of the low 51% of 1st serves he served, but won 82% of his 2nd serves. Perhaps he should have served less 1st serves on the day!

Greg will now spend the week training and preparing for the Wimbledon qualifying tournament, hopefully working on his serve and his fitness, whilst still trying to give his leg more time to recover.