USA in the Autumn 2012 #13

Champaign Illinois was the location for the next Challenger tournament on the USA Pro Tour, the last event for the year. This week there were enough withdrawals to see Greg progress up the alternative list to be part of the Main Draw, so a good opportunity for him.
His troublesome inflamed elbow had settled down but he was not able to get as much practise time on court as he would have liked as it is an indoor venue and the number of courts limited availability once qualifying had commenced.

Champaign street scene

Still a bit underdone going into his first match, Greg's opponent was 21 year-old American and wild card recipient Chase Buchanan, from Ohio, currently ranked 440. With a win against Buchanan this year, it was a good draw for Greg.

Champaign at night

With Greg serving first both players dropped serve early in the set in getting to 3-3. Greg saved a break-point to get to 4-3 and then forced Buchanan to break-point, converting the opportunity to lead 5-3. Greg struggled to serve out the set but finally got the job done to win the set 6-3.

Greg's serve deserted him in the second set, and showed on the scoreboard. Serving a miserly 36% and not winning a high percentage of those, he dropped his serve twice, but also managed to break Buchanan twice to again get to 3-3. Buchanan held serve and then broke Greg again, serving out the set at 5-3, to win the set 6-3 and level the match at one set all. 

The indoor courts

If the 2nd set was a break-a-thon, the 3rd set was even more amazing. Greg struggled to hold his serve in the first game but after a few deuces held serve. He then broke Buchanan and held serve again to lead 3-0. Another break of serve saw him get a comfortable two break buffer and jump to a 4-0 lead. But Buchanan was not done. Capitalising on a poor game from Greg, Buchanan broke back and, gaining some momentum, then held serve to get to 4-2. He then again broke Greg to get back on serve at 4-3. An increasingly nervous Greg responded and had three break points on Buchanan in the next game at 0-40. Buchanan was up to the challenge and luck deserted Greg, with Buchanan saving all three opportunities and levelled the score at 4-4.

Chase Buchanan

Greg's confidence was on the wain, longwith his serve, and he dropped his serve for the third game in a row, to trail 4-5. Buchanan served out the set, remarkably winning 6 games in a row, to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Greg was bitterly disappointed and upset with his 3rd set meltdown. Down in confidence from his litany of injuries, lack of match play and recent poor results, he said he was amazed at how "tight" he became in that set, affecting his ability to Steve and play.
An inauspicious end to tournaments for this year. Roll on a better year in 2013.