UK Tour 2011 #5

Good weather greeted the players at the Bank of England Club in Roehampton for the second round of Wimbledon Qualifying, sunny and clear, albeit a bit cool. The ladies matches were on first and Greg's match was fourth match on, late in the afternoon. He was up against the experienced 29 year-old Irishman, Conor Niland. A late bloomer, Niland had only recently in his career reached a high of 129, and was currently ranked 184. Whilst Niland would start the favourite Greg stood a very good chance of winning the match.
Unfortunately the live-scoring on Court 4 stopped working during the first Ladies match and no scores were available on Greg's court for the remainder of the day. Most frustrating.

Conor Niland

Greg got off to a good start, matching Niland and then getting the decisive break of serve to win the first set 6-4. In the second set, with Niland serving first, games went to 5-5. Niland then held serve to lead 6-5 and apply the pressure to Greg's serve. He brought up a break point opportunity and Greg was unable to save, Niland winning the set 7-5 to level the match at 1 set all.

Going with the momentum and serving first again in the third set it was Niland who got the first break of serve to put all the pressure on a tiring Greg. Niland  consolidated again by holding serve, then managed to get another break of serve, going on to win the 3rd set 6-2 and the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Greg said he was bitterly disappointed in losing a match he came close to winning in the 2nd set. But he said he felt the effects of the three set match the previous day and not being at full fitness due to his battle with a leg injury. He is hoping that the injury is close to being fully healed and he is looking forward to getting back to full fitness and working with a coach to continue to improve his game.