USA Tour 2011 #1

In the Challenger tournament in Winnetka, Chicago, Greg's 1st round match up was against 28 year-old Amer Delic, brought up in the USA but recently converting to play under the Bosnian flag, his family nationality. Currently ranked 248, Delic boasts a high ranking of 60, so will be a tough nut for Greg to crack.
With Delic serving first it was a very evenly contested first set. Greg held serve well, not allowing Delic to get past 30 on any service game, but was unable to convert the two break point opportunities he created.
 Games went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. The tie-break was just as close, with Greg getting a mini-break and serving for the set at 6-5 but inexplicably served his only double fault of the set. On serve Delic was able to save at 6-7 down and then at 9-8 up Delic converted on his own set point opportunity to pouch the first set tie-break 10-8 and the set 7-6.
Greg did not let the close first set loss get to him and showed good mental toughness, serving first in the 2nd set and getting an early break of serve. He started reading Delic's serve, which was a cannon, better as the match went on, breaking Delic again and serving out the set 6-2. Match level at one set all.
With Delic serving first in the 3rd set Greg hung in to get the score to 2-2. He then broke Delic to get a break up at 3-2 and consolidated, holding his own serve to go 4-2 up. Games went with serve to 5-4, with Greg serving for the match, which he did winning the 3rd set 6-4 in a come-from-behind 6-7(8), 6-2, 6-4 win.
Well done Greg. He will play his second round match on Wednesday.