The first round of the singles in the Charlottsville Challenger presented a tough challenge for Greg in the form of the No.1 seed, 26 year-old Indian Somdev Devvarman. Currently ranked 79, with a high rank of 62, Devvarman has been the victor on their three previous encounters. Greg will need to play at his best just to stay with Devvarman.
Serving first, Greg got off to a cracker winning 7 out of 8 first serves to go 2-1 up. He then forced Devvarman to 15-40 and converted the 2nd break-point opportunity to go a break up at 3-1. He then quickly got to 40-15 before his first serve deserted him and Devvarman hit back, getting Greg to deuce and then breaking Greg's serve and holding his serve for 3-3. Greg held serve for 4-3 and then forced Devvarman to multiple deuces but could not get a break-point opportunity, games going with serve to 5-5. Devvarman then got Greg to 30-40 and converted the opportunity to serve for the set at 6-5. Greg was unable to hit back and Devvarman served out the game to 30, winning the set 7-5.
It was an distracted Greg who started the 2nd set, quickly getting behind 15-40 and then dropping his serve to trail 0-1, then 0-2. Greg re-focussed, serving four first serves to get on the board at 1-2 but the damage had been done and he was forced to play catch-up.
Serving first, Greg got off to a cracker winning 7 out of 8 first serves to go 2-1 up. He then forced Devvarman to 15-40 and converted the 2nd break-point opportunity to go a break up at 3-1. He then quickly got to 40-15 before his first serve deserted him and Devvarman hit back, getting Greg to deuce and then breaking Greg's serve and holding his serve for 3-3. Greg held serve for 4-3 and then forced Devvarman to multiple deuces but could not get a break-point opportunity, games going with serve to 5-5. Devvarman then got Greg to 30-40 and converted the opportunity to serve for the set at 6-5. Greg was unable to hit back and Devvarman served out the game to 30, winning the set 7-5.
The Boars Head Club - venue for the tournament |
It was an distracted Greg who started the 2nd set, quickly getting behind 15-40 and then dropping his serve to trail 0-1, then 0-2. Greg re-focussed, serving four first serves to get on the board at 1-2 but the damage had been done and he was forced to play catch-up.
Somdev Devvarman |
Twice he had break-point opportunities on Devvarman's serve at 2-3 and 3-4 but Devvarman snuffed out those chances and held serve, getting to 5-3 up. He then attacked Greg's serve and forced Greg to 0-40, and three match points. Greg saved one match point but was unable to prevent Devvarman closing out the set 6-3 and winning a close fought match 7-5, 6-3.
Whilst bitterly disappointed at starting the match so well and not being able to maintain the advantage, Greg said he had played well. It is the closest Greg has got to Devvarman in four matches and he created a lot of opportunities in the match which is promising. But back to the practice court for this week.
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