Australian Summer 2012 #11

Greg's partner in the doubles at the Burnie Challenger was big serving 24 year-old Australian Sam Groth, who was on the come-back after a long lay-off for shoulder surgery last year. Sam had played some VFL footy while recuperating but had decided to continue with tennis and ha dplayed well in the tournments since early December with not much luck, missing out on a wild card in any event at the Australian Open. Their all Australian opponents in the first round had excellent credentials. Big serving giant Chris Guccione was a top 100 ranked doubles player and his partner Adam Feeney was becoming a doubles specialist with a ranking in the low 100's.

Adam Feeney good doubles player

Feeeny served first and held well. At 1-1 Guccione was forced to save 3 break-points, in the sudden death deuce format, but managed to hang on. Games progressed well until 5-4, where Sam saw his team facing 0-40, three set points. His big serve performed well and they squeaked out of that situation. Greg and Sam managed to get to the tie-break at 6-6 after saving a total of 9 break-points opportunities against them, but also failed to convert 3 opportunities on their opponents serve.
The tie-break progressed on serve until 4-3. Then they managed to get a mini-break to go 5-3, then 5-4 up. They served out the tie-break to win a hard-fought set 7-6.
The second set was again a tight affair. Sam again came from 15-40 down to save his serve, but most other games went quite uneventfully with serve. This set Greg and Sam were serving first and at 5-4 up managed to get their opponents to deuce, a game/break sudden death point, and a match point.

Chris Guccione

Unfortunately Guccione served a bomb and the score was 5-5. Sam held serve to go ahead 6-5 and the pressure was on their opponents. Greg and Sam brought up match point again and this time converted, winning the set 7-5 and a tight match 7-6(4), 7-5.
So a happier ending for Greg on his 23rd birthday as they beat higher ranked opponents and progressed to the next round. Now to find some dinner in the little town of Burnie late at night...