Asia-America tour #2

The final round of qualifying at the Thailand had Greg facing a tough assignment, the No.1 seeded qualifier, Rainer Schuettler. In the twilight of his career spanning 16 years to date, the 35 year-old German Schuettler, is still highly ranked at 114, with a top ten ranking high of 5.
Serving first on Centre Court Greg held comfortably, and Schuettler did like-wise, for 1-1. Greg served 3 aces to hold for 2-1, then returned well to force Schuettler to 30-40, converting the break-point opportunity to lead 3-1. Games went with serve to 4-2, when Greg, serving the seventh game with old balls was forced to 15-40. He saved the two break-points and then held to go 5-2 up. Schuettler held comfortably for 5-3, forcing Greg to serve for the set, which he did, serving an ace at 40-30 to win the set 6-3. 1-0 to Greg.

German Rainer Schuettler

In the second set Schuettler held easily, Greg less so in getting to 1-1. Greg then forced Schuettler to save a break-pont before converting the next break-point to go a break up at 2-1. He held a bit nervously to 30, then again pressurised Schuettler, to get him to 0-40, and then converted at the first opportunity to take a solid two break advantage at 4-1. Both players held serve for 5-2, with Greg to serve for the match.
It was a slightly tight Greg who could not serve a first serve, serving his second serve well enough though to bring up match point. Schuettler saved that to get Greg to deuce but Greg again produced another matrch point on a second serve. This time he managed to serve a first serve, winning the match 6-3, 6-2 to advance to his thirrd ATP 250 tournament main draw this year.
A great reward for the hard work he has put in this year. Greg served well, except for the last game which brought his stats down, serving 10 aces and only 1 double fault. He attacked Schuettler's serve, winning all of Schuettler's second serves in the 2nd set.

        Now for the Main Draw.