UK Tour 2011 #4

The 1st round of qualifying for Wimbledon, held on the courts at Roehampton saw Greg matched against the No.11 seed, 29 year-old Italian Paolo Lorenzi, currenly ranked 120, with a high ranking of 83. Whilst very experienced, Lorenzi is a stereotype clay court player, so Greg may be able to match him on the grass if he serves well and backs it up with solid all-court play.

On the manicured lawns of the Bank of England Club in Roehampton it was Greg who served first and confidently held serve. Games went with serve in the 1st set to 5-5, with Greg having the only break-point opportunity but not converting. Greg held a nervous game to 30 to lead 6-5 then managed to get Lorenzi to 15-40 with two break-point/set-point opportunities. This time he converted to snatch the set 7-5 and serve first in the second.



The Bank of England Clubhouse



A determined Lorenzi fought back immediately but Greg saved three break points in the first game of the 2nd set before holding. At 1-1 Greg again faced break-points but this time Lorenzi coverted his opportunity to lead 2-1, then 3-1. At 4-2 Greg was forced to 15-40 but this time saved the break-points and held serve after 5 deuces. He was unable to make in-roads into Lorenzi's serve and games went on serve to 4-5, with Lorenzi serving. Greg upped the pressure and had an opportunity to break back but Lorenzi responded and held, serving out the set 6-4 and levelling the match at one set all.

Paolo Lorenzi

Greg served first again in the third set. Both players held confidently to 2-2. Then Greg came from behind in the game to go 3-2 up, a critical hold for him, In the next game he returned very well and forced Lorenzi to 0-40, converting at the first point to lead 4-2. He held his next service game to lead 5-2 and force Lorenzi to serve to save the match. Greg again got Lorenzi to 0-40 to have three match points. Lorenzi saved one point, then another, to get back to 30-40 but could not deny Greg on the 3rd point and Greg won the game, set and match 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.
A great fight from Greg who showed composure and courage against a higher ranked opponent on the day.