Greg was able to stay in Charlottesville for the week, giving his inflamed elbow some much needed physiotherapy and rest, thanks to the hospitality of the Butler's, a family Greg says are wonderful to stay with. He also got some advice from a doctor, had an x-ray and an MRI, all of which pointed to no mechanical damage but severe inflammation and swelling of the elbow joint, which should repair with rest.
However, Greg decided in Friday that, as he was only two out if the Knoxville Challenger main draw he would travel to the Knoxville in the hope he made the draw. That would mean he would only have to play on Tuesday, so giving the elbow more time to repair.
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| Knoxville river view |
As it turned out, Greg was unlucky as two player's ahead of him on the list did pull out but a player with a protected ranking, who had been injured for more than six months got the final place in the draw and Greg missed the main draw by one place. However he decided his elbow was feeling good enough to play, although playing would be a gamble in itself as he had not hit a ball for over a week.
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| Mikelis Libietis |
Seeded no. 3 in the qualifying draw Greg's opponent was 20 year-old University of Tennessee player Mikelis Libietis, from Latvia, currently ranked 1624 on the ATP rankings. A potentially easy match which Greg, if fit, could use to play himself into form but as a college player will be a unknown quantity.
Greg and Libietis swopped breaks of serve in the first set, Greg saving two other break point opportunities against him, in getting to 5-5. Greg then held serve to lead 6-5 and put the pressure on Libietis to hold serve. Greg brought up break-point and converted to pouch the 1st set 7-5. Serving first in the 2nd set, Greg went 2-1 up on serve and then broke Libietis to lead 3-1, then 4-1. Libietis fought back, holding serve to get to 4-2 then forcing Greg to 15-40. Greg was able to save those points and was relieved to get to 5-2. At 5-3 Greg was able to serve out the set 6-3, winning the match 6-4, 6-3.
Hope Greg's inflamed elbow held up for the match and is ok for the next round.
However, Greg decided in Friday that, as he was only two out if the Knoxville Challenger main draw he would travel to the Knoxville in the hope he made the draw. That would mean he would only have to play on Tuesday, so giving the elbow more time to repair. 
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