Back in the Saddle #13 - On Grass

Unable to play in the Qualifying Tournament for Wimbledon next week, due to the drop in his rankings, Greg was fortunate to get into the qualifying for the ATP250 event at Eastbourne, also on grass, with a hope of playing during the week. His horrid luck in the draws continued, last week he drew the No.1 seed and this week was little better in the No.2 and, as the vagaries of rankings and entries would have it, the same player, 27 year-old Australian Marinko Matosevic, now at his highest ranking of 83. Another tough match for both players.

Centre Court at Eastbourne

With Greg serving first and both players serving well, it was Matosevic who applied the most pressure, forcing Greg to face four break points whilst only giving up one break point opportunity on his serve. Greg rose to the challenge and saved those points whilst not being able to break Matosevic, games tensely going with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. In a very close tie-break it was Greg who faced the first set point at 5-6 down and, although serving, he was unable to stop Matosevic from breaking and winning the point, to win the tie-break 7-5 and the set 7-6.

Frustrated, Greg took the game to Matosevic in the second set, going for his biggest serves, and whilst serving at only 50% for the second set, winning all of those first serves. He also managed to get more of Matosevic's serves back and brought up a break point opportunity in the first game, breaking to lead 1-0 and then holding serve for 2-0. Attacking Matosevic'second serve Greg won all of those serves and broke Matosevic again, to lead 3-0, then hold for 4-0. Trailing by two breaks of serve Matosevic's resolve dropped and Greg broke and held again to "bagel" Matosevic in the 2nd set, levelling the match at 1-set-all, with a 6-0 scoreline. 

Big-serving Matosevic

With Matosevic serving Greg kept the pressure on and quickly had a despondent mis-firing Matosevic facing two break points at 15-40. Then the rain came and play was suspended.

Matosevic had time to compose, chat to his coach and re-group. He came out a different player and saved those two break point opportunities. He held for 1-0 and then, re-focussed, took the game to Greg. Greg held firm and saved a break point, with games going with serve to 5-5. At 15-30 down Matosevic fought back to win that vital game and go 6-5 up, transferring the pressure to Greg. Matosevic got Greg to 30-40, facing a break-point and ultimately match point, and kept enough pressure on to break Greg and win the game, set and match 7-6(5), 0-6, 7-5.

A disappointing loss for Greg in a very closely contested match with both players going for broke and fighting hard. Not much in it. But Greg will be wondering when his luck in the draws might change.