Australian Summer 2012 - #9

After his superb performance in the first round of the singles, the doubles match was Greg's next challenge at the Australian Open.
Greg's partner was long time tennis contemporary and friend John-Patrick Smith, from Townsville. Colloquially known as JP, Greg and JP had come through the junior ranks together, with JP being the No.1 Australian at 12 and Greg improving over the years to be the No.1 junior when 18. JP received a tennis scholarship to the University of Tennessee where he obtained a degree whilst setting many tennis records. JP was the All American singles and doubles player at Tennessee for four years running and in his final year was the South-East Conference Athlete of the year, only the second player in history to do so. JP has recently graduated and begun the journey on the ATP tour and up the ranks mid 2011.

Stepanek & Paes

Their opponents in the first round have an even more enviable record in the tennis world. 38 year-old Indian Leander Paes, currently ranked 7 in doubles, has multiple grand slam titles and was the No.1 ranked doubles player in his illustrious career, whilst his partner 33 year-old Czech Radek Stepanek, currently ranked 31, is a former top 10 singles player with a high rank of 13 in the doubles. Formidable opponents.
Greg served first and held to love. In the next game some attacking play saw them have their opponents facing two break points which Greg & JP converted to take an early 2-0 lead. Paes and Stepanek then kicked up a gear and on the back of some excellent returning and great net play, they broke back immediately and then reeled off another 5 games in a row to win the 1st set 6-2.

Greg was unable to stop their run and after a long duece game again dropped serve to trail 0-1, then 0-2 in the second set. They steadied the ship on JP's serve but, despite having break-point opportunities on Stepanek's serve, they were unable to stop the legends going 5-2 up, then losing the final game to lose the set 2-6 and the match 2-6, 2-6.
Paes and Stepanek went on to be finalists.

It had been a very entertaining match with many rallies and net exchanges but the experience and volleying ability of the "elder" opponents was a telling factor in the overall result.

Australian Summer 2012 - #8

It was hot 32 degree day when Greg took to court for his Australian Open singles debut match on the Margaret Court arena against the No. 13 seed Ukranian Alex Dolgopolov.
Serving first Greg started confidently, getting to 2-1 in games when, returning superbly, he managed to bring up break-point against Dolgopolov. Greg converted to go 3-1 up and then won a long hard fought service game to extend the lead to 4-1. Greg then broke Dolgopolov again and served out the set strongly, to surprisingly win the first set 6-1 against the 14th ranked player.

Dolgopolov held serve and so did Greg to begin the 2nd set. Greg then broke Dolgopolov again and held serve to go to a 3-1 lead. Playing aggressively and going to the net as often as possible Greg was volleying well and forcing Dolgopolov to miss, and took the score to 4-2 up.

13th seed Alexander Dolgopolov

Dolgopolov stepped up his game and forced Greg to 30-40 and then managed to break back, serving to level the score at 4-4. Greg was not done. He held his nerve, served and played well, and held serve to get to 5-4. He then broke Dolgopolov again to win the second set 6-4 and take a deserved two sets to love lead in the match.
Both players took a toilet break and then came back firing. Greg did not restart well and Dolgopolov pressurised Greg into a few errors, breaking Greg's serve and then holding his own serve again to go to a 2-0 lead. Greg then had an injury time-out to get treatment for a small blister and continued unhindered, holding his serve for 2-1. Dolgopolov was getting into his stride and hitting the ball a lot better as Greg's intensity dropped slightly, He took advantage of a small momentum switch and broke Greg to get to a 5-1 lead, eventually winning the third set 6-1.
Now into the fourth set, where Greg had never been before, this being his first best of five sets match, Greg again fell behind to the 13th seed, quickly going a break down and going 3-0 down, Greg was not moving well, especially to his right side and Dolgopolov was able to hit more winners with Greg not being able to retrieve as well as he had previously.
At 5-1 down Greg needed to hold serve to force Dolgopolov to serve out the serve and allow Greg to serve first in the deciding fifth set. Greg could not land a 1st set and appeared in some discomfort, and lost his serve, Dolgopolov winning the fourth set 6-1 and levelling the match at two sets all.

Unbeknown, Greg was cramping and that soon became evident in the fifth set. Greg was physically handicapped, especially on serve and moving to his right, and quickly fell behind a break of serve. He bravely played on and started shortening the points in an attempt to not have to run, but that is a risky game and errors became more prevalent. Dolgopolov could see Greg was not moving well and was able to take advantage of that, getting a double break up and getting to 5-1 up.  
Somehow, serving with just his arm, Greg managed to crack a few good serves, Dolgopolov missed a few returns and Greg won another game, to get to 5-2. But he could not stop Dolgopolov serving out the set and the match, winning the contest 1-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.

Greg had played superbly but unfortunately, not experienced in five set matches, was not able to last the distance, the tension and anxiety contributing with the heat and intensity of the first three sets, to have him cramping at the end of the match. Greg can draw many positives from the match and will bu bouyed by his performance against a top ranked player.

Australian Summer 2012 - #7

Preparing hard for the Australian Open qualifying tournament on the day prior to the tournament commencing, Greg received the good news that he had so anxiously been awaiting: that he had been awarded the last wild card direct entry to the Australian Open Singles.

Melbourne Park Tennis Centre

 It has long been a goal of Greg to play in the Main Draw of the singles and he has now been given the opportunity by Tennis Australia to do so, without the grind of attempting to win three qualifying matches, on the back of a solid performance last year, where he increased his ranking from 299 during the year to be ranked 196 at year end, as the No. 4 ranked Men's player in Australia. Well done Greg. Go for your dreams.
The draw has not been the kindest one for Greg, as he has drawn the No.13 seed, 23 year-old Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, currently at his high ranking of 14. Dolgopolov, son of a former player and coach, is currently coached by Australian Jack Reader, who has overseen Dolgopolov's rapid rise into the top 100 and then top 20 over the past 18 months.
Greg has hit with Dolgopolov on a few occassions, so they do know a bit about each other's games, but it will be a mountain to climb for Greg, who will take to the court on the first day of the tournament on Monday.

Australian Summer 2012 - #6

The second round of qualifying of the Sydney International was played on the same day as the first round, in the afternoon,  and the wind at Homebush was howling. Luckily Greg's match was a bit sheltered but the wind was still gusting around considerably, making playing conditions poor for both players. Greg's opponent was the No. 3 seed, 24 year-old American Ryan Sweeting, currently ranked 72, who won his first ATP singles title in Houston in 2011. Greg has played Sweeting once, losing a close three set match, so will be trying to go one better against a Top 100 player.

The match did not start well for Greg against a player who was teeing off on every ball, and hitting them in. A disputed call on a back-hand up the line (Sweeting later said it was in) brought up break-point against Greg in the first game and Sweeting converted, taking an immediate lead and forcing Greg to play catch-up. Sweeting held and then Greg served 4 aces in getting to 1-2. But Sweeting was playing too well and surprised Greg with his pace and not-normal attacking game. Greg fell another break down and Sweeting served out the 1st set 6-2.
Greg got more into the match in the 2nd set, serving and returning much better and getting Sweeting to hit more balls, getting to 2-2.

Ryan Sweeting

Sweeting got Greg to 30-40 and his luck held, converting the break-point opportunity with a net cord point which eventually skidded off the baseline. Unfazed Greg responded and forced Sweeting to 15-40, converting, to level at 3-3. A long service game by Greg followed and he upped his service to save two break-points and go 4-3 up. At 4-4 Greg again faced break-points at 0-40 and again good serving saw him save and hold serve, to go to 5-4. He was then unable to get Sweeting to duece and at 5-5 faced another break-point at 30-40. A disputed call, this time in Greg's favour, saw Greg save that point but Sweeting again brought up break-point and this time won the point, going 6-5 up. Greg saved one match point but was unable to deny Sweeting from winning the game, set and match 6-2, 7-5.
It had been a quick paced, evenly contested match in which Sweeting was the better player in the first set but Greg held his own in the 2nd set. Greg was fortunate to get two quality matches under his belt, including a confidence boosting win, prior to the Australian Open qualifying tournament.

Australian Summer 2012 - #5

Qualifying at the Sydney International at Homebush and Greg was up against ATP ranked 110 German giant, the big-serving 24 year-old Daniel Brands, who has a high ranking of 66. A challenging, winnable encounter.
With an early 9am start, conditions were good. Greg served first and games went with serve, with both players serving well, to 4-4. Greg then had a difficult service game with a couple of double faults thrown in, saving a break point and eventually winning the game on the fifth deuce, to lead 5-4.

Greg serving

Both players then held serve and with Brands serving at 5-6 down, Greg attacked, forcing Brands to 30-40 and converting the single break-point opportunity of the set that he had to pouch the 1st set 7-5, with the help of a net cord. Some luck for Greg. 

Daniel Brands



Serving first again in the 2nd set Greg started confidently and then dominated Brands to bring up 3 break-points at 2-1, to lead 3-1. Greg held to love and then broke an increasingly more despondent Brands to lead 5-1. Serving for the match, a bit of tightness saw Greg serve a double fault, then quickly go 0-40 down, Brands winning the game to get a break back at 5-2. He rebounded and served the next game out to love, to put the pressure on Greg at 5-3.

Hot tired Greg after the match



Greg started the game confidently to get 30-0 up but Brands fought back forcing a break-point at 30-40. Greg served a great 2nd serve and then an ace to bring up match point which he won to post a good win 7-5, 6-3 and advance to the second round.

Greg had played well, improving as the match progressed and deserved the win.

Australian Summer 2012 - #4

In the second round of the doubles at Brisbane, Greg and partner Marinko Matosevic were up again the pairing of Pole Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Slovakian Michal Mertinak, currently ranked 14 and 62 respectively. 

Mariusz Fyrstenberg

The match was a non-event, with Greg and Marinko having to leave for Sydney qualifying the next day. They dropped their first service game and then played out the set, dropping another game to lose the first set 6-2.

Michal Mertinak

The 2nd set started the same way but this time Greg and Marinko broke back to level at 1-1, then repeated the same scenario again in getting to 5-5. They then dropped their serve again and Fyrstenberg/Mertinak served out the match 6-2, 7-5.
Greg said it was a pity they had to leave to go to Sydney as they more than matched their opponents and could have won the match. He wondered how they both managed to have top 20 high rankings in the doubles.

Australian Summer 2012 # 3

Playing with fellow Aussie, 26 year-old Marinko Matosevic in the 1st round of the doubles in the Brisbane International ATP 250 tournament Greg & MM faced the No.4 seeds Pakistan's Aisam-Al-Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer from the Netherlands Antilles. Rojer is currently ranked 20 in the doubles whilst Qureshi is a top ten player, ranked 9. A tough ask for the Aussies.


Aisam-Al-Haq Qureshi

 Qureshi served first, followed by Greg, both holding serve. The Aussies then broke Rojer to go a break up at 2-1. Marinko held serve and then they broke Qureshi to love, to go a double break up. Greg held for 5-1 and then Marinko served out the set 6-2, for a surprising lead 1 set to love. Both Greg & Marinko had served very well, at over 75%, with Greg serving 5 aces.

Jean-Julien Rojer

In the 2nd set, the Aussies broke Qureshi in the first game and then saved three break points in the sudden-death deuce format to critically hold serve for a 2-0 lead. Rojer held for 1-2 and then broke Marinko to get back into the set at 2-2. But the Aussies hit right back to break Qureshi again at deuce to take the lead again at 3-2. Greg converted at deuce the next game to go to 4-2, then Rojer did the same to stay close at 4-3. Marinko then saved two break-points to get to 5-3, Qureshi held to force Greg to serve for the match. They forced Greg to deuce, saving one match point but a good 1st serve sealed the game and the match for the Aussie, winning the set 6-4 and the match 6-2, 6-4.

Marinko Matosevic

An excellent win for Greg and Marinko who served well throughout the encounter, to advance to the second round of the doubles.

Australian Summer 2012 - #2

The second round of the qualifying in the Brisbane International ATP 250 had Greg facing the toughest draw, up against the No.1 seed, experienced top 100 player, 25 year-old German Tobias Kamke. With a previous loss against former ATP Newcomer of the Year, Kamke is ranked 100 places better than Greg at 96, with a high ranking of 64 in January last year.

Not the court Greg played on

 Greg was quick out of the blocks holding serve and then forcing Kamke to deuce and bringing up a break-point opportunity. Unfortunately Kamke responded, denying Greg and holding serve. Two service games later with the score at 2-2, a poor service game with only one first serve saw Greg fall a break behind, 2-3 in games. Greg was unable to get the break-back and at 3-5 served to force Kamke to serve out the set. Kamke had other ideas and some good returns had him bring up two break-points, and this time set points. He converted at the first opportunity, winning the first set 6-3 and the right to serve first in the 2nd set.

Serves dominated the second set with both players serving at an astonishing 85% until the score was 3-3. With Kamke serving with new balls Greg then forced him to 30-40, the first break-point of the 2nd set but again Kamke was able to save and hold serve to lead 4-3. Greg had game point on his next serve but Kamke got him to deuce and then brought up a break-point, which he won gaining a 5-3 lead. 

Kamke playing against Greg

With Kamke serving for the match Greg was able to take advantage of some nerves on Kamke's behalf and forced Kamke to save a break-point. Greg then brought up another break-point but was again denied, Kamke holding serve to win the second set 6-3 and the match 6-3, 6-3.

An unfortunate draw for Greg who, although had not played at his best in the first set, had served and played very well in the second set. But Kamke had been his equal in that set and was a deserved winner in the end.

Link to a post match interview with Kamke: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2012/01/kamke-looking-forward-to-2012
Some good news is that Greg has received a Wild Card into the doubles with Marinko Matosevic and will most probably play the doubles first round match on Tuesday 3rd January.

Australian Summer 2012 - #1

The last day of 2011 saw the 1st round of qualifying for the 2012 Brisbane International ATP 250 tour event take place. Greg is in peak condition and raring to go for 2012. His 1st round opponent in the qualifying was big serving Australian giant Sam Groth. Recently back from a long stint away from the game due to a shoulder operation 24 year-old Groth had played well in the Wild Card Play-off tournament in December. Currently ranked 786 due to his injury, Groth has a high ranking of 220 and is a dangerous opponent if his big serve is firing.
Serving first, Greg got off to a slow start, facing two break points in his 1st service game. Greg saved one break-point but could not save the next and Groth was immediately a service break up, with Greg now having the task of breaking Groth's big serve. Sam held to love and games went with serve to 2-3, Greg trailing. Looking at a few second serves in the next game, Greg got Groth to deuce and then brought up break-point, converting to level the scores at 3-3. Serve dominated the next 5 games, all being won to love, for a score of 6-5. Sam held serve the next game to bring up the tie-break at 6-6. Greg won the 1st point and then got a mini-break to lead 2-0, then held serve for a 4-1 lead. Another mini-break by Greg saw him serve for the tie-break, winning it 7-2 and the set 7-6.

Aussie Sam Groth

With Groth serving first, serves dominated the second set, with no break-points being created by either player and the score progressing to 5-5. Greg then managed to get at look at some of Groth's first serve, returning well to force Groth  to 0-40 and bring up three break-points. Two aces and another unreturnable 1st serve saw Groth snuff out those opportunities to get to deuce and then hold serve. Greg then had a nervous deuce game to take the score to 6-6 and a second tie-break.
With Sam serving Greg got an immediate mini-break but Groth hit back to level at 2-2. Greg immediatley broke again and changed ends 4-2 up. He held and then broke Groth again to go 6-2 up and have four set/match points. Sam saved one but with Greg serving it was all over the next point, Greg winning the tie-break 7-3 and a big serving close match 7-6, 7-6, to advance to the 2nd round of qualifying.
Greg said the match was tough and required a lot of concentration on your own serve. He said the end of the 1st set and the second set was like sitting in the stands watching the other player serve. If Groth's or his 1st serve went in there was not much the other player could do. Greg remains the tie-break king amongst his peers, after his recent "tie-break" tournament win.