USA Tour 2011 #12

The first round of the Main Draw of the Farmer's Classic ATP250 tour event in Los Angeles saw qualifier Greg up against 28 year-old Alex Bogomolov. Born in Moscow but raised in America, Bogomolov is near his career high ranking of 63 achieved this month, so in good form. Greg and Bogomolov have met twice before at Challenger level, with Bogomolov a very close winner in both matches. So a mountain to climb for Greg who will be pumped for this match.

With Bogomolov serving first it was Greg who was in the zone, breaking Bogomolov and holding serve to go to a 2-0 lead. He repeated the dose, saving a break-point along the way, and had Bogomolov staring at a 0-4 deficit. In Bogomolov's next service game Greg again had break-point, to go a triple break up, but this time Bogomolov saved and closed out the game to get his name on the scoresheet.

Alex Bogomolov

In the next game he again forced a break-point opportunity on Greg's serve and this time converted, putting the pressure back on Greg. Bogomolov held serve to close the score to 3-4. Greg rallied but again had to save a break-point in getting to 5-3. Serving for the set at 5-4 Greg had two set points and a break-point against him before he battled to close out the game and win the set on the 3rd set point, 6-4.

Bogomolov started the second set full of resolve and broke a tiring Greg, to go 2-0 up, then hold to go to 3-0. Greg rallied to save yet another break-point, for 1-3. Greg could not make in-roads into Bogomolov's serve, who was serving at 85% first serves in this set, and fell 1-4 behind. Bogomolov again got Greg to 15-40 and although Greg saved the first point, Bogomolov broke to go double break up at 5-1, serving out the 2nd set 6-1 and levelling the match.

It was rampant Bogomolov, with all the impetus, against a tiring Greg in the 3rd set and he broke Greg twice to go 4-0 up. Greg managed to win a game for 4-1 before Bogomolov served for 5-1 and then broke Greg again to win the 3rd set 6-1 and the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

A mixed match for Greg who more than matched his experienced opponent at the start but was not able to cope with changes in Bogomolov's tactics, whilst tiring during the match. Greg said Bogomolov had started the match deep in the court but after Greg went well ahead Bogomolov stepped up in the court and started taking the ball a lot earlier to deny Greg time to play his shots and get to the net. Greg said he did get a bit tired from the end of the first set and was just that half metre slow and lost a bit of zing off his serve. He said he and Bogomolov are good friends and whilst chatting afterwards Bogomolov complimented him on his game and even offered him some advice on things to work on in his game.

A good week and a lot of experienced gained. Next stop Vancouver.

USA Tour 2011 #11

Former top 10 player, 31 year-old Chilean Nicolas Massu awaited Greg in the final round of qualifying for the Farmer's Classic ATP250 event in Los Angeles. Currently ranked 484, the experienced and talented Massu has a high rank of 9, achieved back in 2004, and is on the come-back trail after injury and a long run of indifferent results. A real challenge for Greg.

Serving first it was a nervous Greg who could not land a first serve and dropped his first game to love. Massu quickly went to a 2-0 lead. Greg steadied and was able to hold his next serve to get to 1-2. He then managed to get Massu to 30-40 and converted the opportunity to get back even at 2-2. Bouyed by the lnowledge he could make in-roads into Massu's serve Greg battled it out to hold his own serve, getting to 4-4 and then 5-4 up. Greg then applied more pressure on Massu bringing up another break-point opportunity, this time a set point. Massu obliged with a double fault and the first set was Greg's 6-4. Still another set to get.

Chilean Nicolas Massu

Greg started the second set confidently in the first game but Massu pegged him back to deuce. Greg's nerve held and he held serve to lead 1-0. He then broke Massu and in an astonishing run, held serve and broke Massu again to lead 4-0, then 5-0. With Massu serving to save the set and the match Greg brought up triple match point at 0-40. Massu saved the first, then the second and then the third to get back to deuce. Greg brought up another match point, saved by Massu. Then on the fifth match point Greg managed to again break Massu, winning 8 games in a row to go from 4-4 in the first set to a 6-4, 6-0 win.

A great result for Greg which seems him qualify for an ATP Tour event for the first time in his career. Another stepping stone in his tennis journey.

USA Tour 2011 #10

Centre Court at night

The second round of qualifying in LA saw Greg up against top US youngster 20 year-old Bradley Klahn, currently ranked 758 and yet to show his potential.

With Klahn serving first, Greg got off to a great start, winning the first eight points, breaking Klahn and going to a 2-0 lead. Klahn consolidated, avoided going a double break down in the next game and starting to win a few points off Greg's serve, games going to 4-3. Greg then suddenly faced a break-point and Klahn converted to level the match at 4-4. Not phased, Greg broke back immediately and then served for the set, winning the first set 6-4.

Bradley Klahn



Klahn held his first service game in the 2nd set and games went with serve to 2-2. Greg managed to get Klahn to deuce and then brought up two break-point opportunities, converting to go 3-2 ahead. He served for the match at 5-4 but Klahn was not done yet. He pressurised ,a tightening Greg to 0-40 and, despite saving two break-points, Greg was unable to stop Klahn breaking and levelling at 5-5. Klahn then held and broke Greg's serve again to come from behind and pouch the 2nd set 7-5, the impetus now with him.

But Greg was mentally tough and hit straight back in the 2nd set, getting Klahn to 0-40, breaking and going 1-0 up in games. Unfortunately a poor service game by Greg saw Klahn break back immediately and games went with serve to 2-2. Greg then upped the ante and had Klahn at 0-40, breaking to go 3-2 up. But could he hold his own serve? He did, to love, and then served out the match at 5-4, winning a tough battle on the second match point, 6-5, 7-5, 6-4.

Greg made hard work of the win, his first serve percentage dropping at the end of the 2nd set, where he should have served out the match. But he got there in the end, to progress to the final round of qualifying, to be played on Monday, LA time. One more match to win before the Main Draw.

USA TOUR 2011 #9

In Los Angeles for the qualifying rounds of the ATP 250 Farmer's Classic, Greg was joined on Friday at the illustrious Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, just off Hollywood Boulevarde, by his good mate and ex-player Ryan Bellamy, now a certified tennis coach and also a strength and conditioning coach. Ryan has joined Greg to work with him, with the blessing of Tennis Australia, for the next 5 weeks, until the US Open.

Good mate Ryan Bellamy

It was quickly onto the practice courts for the pair in preparation for Greg's first round match in the qualifying, against 21 year-old American Michael McClune, who had a career high ranking of 267 in March 2010 but had a horror run of first round losses against high quality opponents to be currently ranked a lowly 632.

Serving first Greg started confidently but was unable to make in-roads into McClune's serve and games went with serve to 2-2. Greg then saved a break-point against him with an ace and then was forced to save another before holding, games going to 6-5.

Greg then put the pressure on McClune and brought up his only break-point of the set but McClune held his nerve and the set went to the tie-break. In the tie-break a string of breaks saw Greg race to a 6-1 lead and served for the set. McClune was not done and broke both of Greg's serves to close to 3-6 but Greg broke him again to win the tie-break 7-3 and the set 7-6. First blood to Greg.

USA's Michael McClune

With McClune serving first in the 2nd set games went to 1-1 before out of nowhere Greg came from 40-15 to even the game and then get a break-point opportunity, winning 4 points in a row to break serve and go 2-1 up. He then held confidently and brought up another break-point on McClune's serve at 4-2, when McClune double-faulted twice in a row, but McClune recovered and held serve. Greg held for a 5-3 lead and the pressure on McClune mounted. Greg brought up another break-point, this time match point, and converted, winning the 2nd set 6-3 and the match 7-6(3), 6-3.

A relieved Greg would have enjoyed that result after a tense match, and given new "coach" Ryan something to smile about. Greg plays the second round tomorrow, LA time. Two matches still to win...

USA Tour 2011 #8

Greg next headed for the west coast, having again got a gig with a WTT team, this time the Springfield Lasers, from Missouri. First stop was Newport for a fixture against the Newport Beach Breakers.

Rik De Voest

Greg played in the Men's Doubles with South Africa's Rik De Voest, winning a close match 5-4 and then backed up to partner USA's Carly Gullickson in the Mixed doubles. Unfortunately the opposition was too strong this time and they lost 2-5, the team going down 21 games to 14 on the night.

After a late dinner, it was up early to travel to Sacremento where the team were scheduled to play against the Sacremento Capitals, a strong team headed up by Mardy Fish and Vania King.



Dusan Vemic

Fish was away playing in the ATP Tour event in Atlanta, so Greg, who was asked to play the singles started the first match against 37 year-old Serbian Dusan Vemic, a former top doubles player. The match was a close affair, with Greg unable to benefit from 6 break-point opportunities, Vemic serving too big and taking the match to a tie-break at 4-4. Greg's serve percentage dropped in the tie-break and Vemic capitalised, running out at 5-4 winner and winning the match 5-4.

In the Men's doubles Greg again partnered De Voest. They played well to fight back from a 0-2 deficit to win the match 5-4 against the very well drilled doubles combination of Mark Knowles and Vemic. Unfortunately the team lost the ladies doubles 0-5, which gave the Capitals a good lead. The team gained ground winning the ladies doubles 5-2 and came within 2 games of winning but lost the final mixed doubles 3-5 and an exciting fixture 17-21.

Greg said it was great fun but with the late night very tiring.

Off to Los Angeles early tomorrow morning.

USA Tour 2011 #7

In Atlanta, Georgia this weekend, Greg was competing in the qualifying rounds for entry into the ATP250 event. Seeded No.5 in the qualifying Greg had to win three rounds to progress. He received a favourable draw, having a Bye in the first round and then facing up against 25 year-old USA player Phillip Simmonds, currently 443, with a high ranking of 219.
The match did not start well for Greg and he went a break-down early in the set. He was able to bring up two break point opportunities but was unable to convert, Simmonds taking the set to 3-5 before he again got Greg under pressure and broke him again to win the first set 6-3.

Centre Court

Greg executed better in the 2nd set and was able to break Simmonds, only to see Simmonds break back to level the scores. Greg created 5 break-point opportunities in the 2nd set but was only able to convert the one opportunity, Simmonds playing the big points better. Greg faced a break point againgst him but saved, games going with serve to the tie-break a 6-6.

Phil Simmonds

In the tie-break it was Simmonds who gained the ascendency and forged ahead, Greg not being able to stop the momentum, with Simmonds running out a 7-2 winner, winning the match 6-3, 7-6.
A disappointing and frustrating loss for Greg, who had high hopes of qualifying. The stats were interesting in that Greg served well at 65% first serves but did not win enough of those serves. Simmonds service percentage was below 50, showing that he returned better than Greg and won the battle of the rallies. Greg also had more break-point opportunities.
Something for Greg to work on...
Simmonds went on to beat the No.4 seed Tim Smyczek and qualify for the main draw.

USA Tour 2011 #6

In Granby, Canada, near Montreal, for the $35k Challenger tournament, Greg's 1st round encounter was delayed until Wednesday as his opponent was returning from playing in a Davis Cup tie.

Greg had drawn the No.5 seed, 23 year-old Japanese Tatsuma Ito, currently ranked 110, who has a had a great year so far, reaching a career high of 104.

Things did not start well for Greg as Ito broke his 1st service game, to take the advantage. Greg broke back early in the set to get back level but Ito broke Greg again to maintain the advantage. Greg was able to bring up more break point opportunities but Ito managed to hold serve, then broke Greg again to win the first set 6-2.

In the 2nd set Greg was again broken in the 1st game and played catch up again. He did have a break point op

portunity mid-way through the set but was not able to convert and, with games going with serve, Ito served for the set at 5-4 up, going on to win the set and the match 6-2, 6-4.

Tatsuma Ito

It was an unlucky draw for Greg as the seeded players were highly ranked, for a $35k event, but the rest of the field dropped off to below 500 in the ranking.

In the doubles, played later in the afternoon, Greg played with fellow Aussie Mark Verryth and faced the French pair of Nicholas Mahut and Antoinne Benneteau. Mahut proved to be too experienced, the Aussies going down in straight sets to the French pair, 6-3, 6-2

USA Tour 2011 #5

After the highs and lows of the ATP tournament in Newport Island, Rhode Island, Greg received a great surprise and boost from Octagon, his Management Group, who had organised for him to compete as a substitute for the New York Sportimes team in the World Team Tennis (WTT) league. WTT is a 35 year-old team tennis event devised and run by the tennis legend Billie-Jean King and comprises 9 teams in two conferences who play each other in a team format over a period of weeks during the year, culminating in a Final event. It is a raucus college style event, played under lights at night to a special format with a different scoring system, and features both ex-players and current players, males and females.

Greg travelled to New York on Wednesday to join his team, the New York Sportimes, which features both
John McEnroe and Martini Hingis, and play that evening against the Boston Lobsters.

Greg first partnered American Jesse Witten in the Men's doubles against Eric Butorac and ex-ATP player Jan-Michael Gambill, winning a close match 5-3.

Martina Hingi

After the Women's singles (Hingis beat Vanderweghe 5-2) and the Men's singles (Witten losing 3-5 to Gambill), Greg partnered the great Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles. They played against the young USA star Coco Vanderweghe and Gambill, this time losing a close-match 3-5. It was left to Hingis and Abigail Spears to seal the team win with a 5-1 win in the Women's doubles, the Sportimes running out 21-16 winners over the Lobsters.

The next day the team travelled to Philadelphia to play their next fixture against the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Greg featured in the 3rd match, after wins by Witten in the Men's singles (5-2 over Brendan Evans) and Women's doubles by Hingis and Spears (5-2 over Lisa Raymond and young Beatrice Capra). 

Abigail Spears



He partnered Abigail Spears in the Mixed doubles and came from 2-4 down in their match, against fellow Aussie Nathan Healey and USA doubles legend Lisa Raymond, to win 3 games in a row to record a 5-4 win. After Hingis set up a team win by defeating Capra 5-0, Greg and partner Witten were required to win only 1 game in the deciding match to seal the team win. They went 2-0 up and then cruised, losing the match against Healey and Evans 5-2. The Sportimes team were 22-13 up against the Freedoms.

As the losing team had won the last match, under WTT rules, they had an opportunity to play overtime and attempt to tie-the team score, games being played until the losing team tied that score (of 2

2) or the winning team won a game, at which time play was finished. Greg and Witten snuffed that opportunity winning the first game, 1-0. Final score Sportimes 23-13 winners over the Freedoms.

Greg said it was tremendous fun. He really enjoyed the team camraderie and the relaxed yet competitive atmosphere. The players worked as a team and even went to dinner together. He was chuffed to be invited by the team Manager to play further events, where his tournament schedule permitted, in the ensuing weeks, which will qualify him to play for the team in the future and avoid having to be drafted, perhaps into other teams, which is the normal course of player entry to WTT.

On Friday Greg departed the team and travelled to Granby in Canada for his next tournament, a $35k Challenger event.

USA Tour 2011 #4

Into the main draw of the ATP250 event at Newport, Rhode Island as the last direct acceptance by virtue of a last minute withdrawal, Greg's luck did not extend to the the draw, receiving a tough first up challenge, facing last year's finalist and world No.73, 30 year-old Belgian Olivier Rochus. Very experienced, very consistent and very wily.

Rochus served first and had the advantage on the slick grass courts, holding serve well and forcing Greg to play catch-up. Only one breakpoint was brought up in the first set and unfortunately it was on Greg's serve and Greg was unable to save, giving Rochus the vital break in the set. Rochus then was able to serve out the 1st set 6-4.

Greg playing a backhand

Greg bounced back in the second set and, serving first this set, was able to reverse the pressure on Rochus and converted the only break point on Rochus' serve, while saving one on his own serve. Greg went on with the set, winning it 6-3, to level the score and take the match into the 3rd set.

With Rochus now serving first, Greg again felt the pressure of serving second. His serve percentage also dropped from the mid 60's to low 50's and Rochus was given a lo of second serves to look at, taking his opportunity converting 1 of 3 early opportunities, to go ahead a break, getting to 5-2 up.

Olivier Rochus at the net

At 2-5 down Greg got to deuce and then faced a match-point but saved that point. Rochus immediately brought up another match point but Greg was able to save again and then held serve for 3-5. Rochus served for the match and had two match point at 40-15. Greg saved the first but any come-back was halted on the next point and Rochus won the point and the match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

A great fight by Greg but he would have been bitterly disappointed in only his second ever match at ATP tour level. Well played Greg, a great effort.
Rochus reached the final for the 2nd year in a row, losing to big-serving John Isner.

USA Tour 2011 #3

From Winnetka, Greg travelled to the east coast to Newport, Rhode Island to play in the qualifying for the Campbell's Hall of Fame ATP250 grass court tournament. An iconic tournament, held in beautiful surrounding and a grand old Club House, the Newport entry list suffered this year from being scheduled in the same week as the Davis Cup round and after a number of withdrawals due to the Cup and some injuries, Greg benefitted by the withdrawals becoming the No. 1 seed in qualifying when the draw was done, and received a bye in the 1st round.

However, before the 2nd round commenced on Sunday another player withdrew from the tournament and Greg was advanced directly into the Main Draw, so did not have to play qualifying. Some good luck indeed. Greg was astounded and delighted.

Greg has a big swing...

The players were all invited to a July 4th luncheon and events at the club and spent some of the afternoon playing games on the hallowed grass of the club courts. Greg was seen playing softball and some soccer.

Greg shaiping up, no bat?

After that they were taken to one of the sponsors shoe shop where the players were given a free pair of shoes of their choice. Pretty cool.