USA in the Autumn 2012 #8

The Tiburon Peninsula Club

The final round of qualifying in Tiburon had Greg facing one of the 2012 Wimbledon doubles title holders, Denmark's Frederik Nielsen. The 29 year-old Dane, along with England 's Jamie Marray, was a surprise entrant, never mind winner, in the doubles at the All England Tennis and Croquet Club, the pair becoming the first Wild Card recipients to win the Doubles Title. A veteran of the tour Nielsen's singles rank belies his talent, ranked 364, despite having represented Denmark in the Hopman Cup tournament in Perth this year. A hot and cold big serving player, Nielsen will be a tough opponent.
The first set was a closely contested match with the players swopping breaks of serve. Greg managed to conjure up 8 breaks of serve opportunities in the set but luck was not going his way and hecould only convert a single opportunity. He had the better of the play but it was Nielsen who broke Greg a second time to take a 5-3 lead in the set and served it out to win the set 6-3.

Frederik at left with Brit Jamie Marray
celebrating their Wimbledon Doubles
Title victory

Greg was determined to stay in the match and immediately hit back, breaking Nielsen in the opening game of the second set. But despite Greg serving well, with a high percentage of first serves, Nielsen was returning equally as well and he broke back immediately to level at 1-1. Nielsen held serve and then broke Greg again to go a break up at 4-1, games then going with serve to 5-3. With Nielsen serving for the match Greg got him to deuce but was unable to bring upa a break point opportunity and the Wimdbledon doubles title holder won the set 6-3 and the match 6-3, 6-3 to proceed to the Main Draw of the singles at Greg's expense.
Greg was disappointed but said that he had played and served well but Nielsen's good returning had put him under a lot of pressure and made a big difference on the day.
Greg will now travel to Los Angles to join his good David Bidmeade for a few days hitting before going back to Ponte Vedra in Florida for ten days to work with coach Todd Martin. He then plans to play three indoor Challenger events in the USA, where he will be required to go through qualifying to enter the main draw.