Australian Summer 2012 #17

Finals day in the Challenger and Greg, having beaten the No. 1 seed in the semi was now up against the No.2 seed, 26 year-old Meburnian Marinko Matosevic, currently ranked 200 with a high ranking of 131 in 2011.

Greg serving

With Greg serving first, it was a nervous start for Greg and despite having a game point, Matosevic got Greg to deuce and then proceeded to break Greg, to take an early 1-0 lead. Matosevic continued on confidently, holding serve and then breaking Greg again to lead 3-0. Showing signs of stiffnes and discomfort from his previous two 3 set matches, Greg could not make any in-roads into Matosevic's serve and when Greg dropped serve for the 3rd straight service game to trail 5-0, the writing was on the wall for the 1st set. Marinko served out the sixth game to hand Greg a rare "bagel", 6-0 in the first set. Was Greg's injured knee tendon hampering him?

Marinko Matosevic

The second set started no better for Greg, who was put under pressure by Matosevic from the first point and, playing catch-up, was not able to hold serve, Matosevic breaking to lead 1-0, then 2-0. Greg finally steadied the ship and registered on the score-board, holding serve for the first time and winning his first game of the match. At a set and 1-2 down, could he now apply anough pressure on Matosevic and get back in the match?
The next game went to three deuces but still Marinko prevailed, holding serve eventually to go 3-1 up. Greg then failed to close out his next game and Matosevic was again able to get Greg to deuce and then break Greg for the 2nd time in this set, on the back of a low percentage 1st serve stat for Greg, and take a decisive 4-1 lead. Matosevic held for 5-1, then Greg held serve, forcing Matosevic to serve out the match, at 5-2. Greg was unable to prevent Matosevic from winning the last game, for a comprehensive 6-0, 6-2 win in the final. Well done Marinko.
Greg was never in the match, which Matosevic dominated from the first game. Greg tried to get back into the match but did not serve well at all, and was shut-out by Marinko, who served well enough to deny Greg any break-point opportunities. Not the best day at the office for Greg, who no doubt was struggling today after two mammoth three set matches on the previous days. But overall a great week for Greg, and for Tennis Austrlia coach Josh Eagle, who coaches both players.