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.