Oz Summer 2012-13 #3

The second round of the Austalian Open 2013 Wild Card Play-off draw threw up another tough match for Greg, up against the No. 2 seed, and good mate, 23 year-old Queenslander John-Patrick Smith. JP and Greg have known each other since they were 12 years-olds, playing against and with each other during their junior years, winning a National Doubles title in the U14's together and are still good friends. JP elected to take up a scholarship at Tennesse University and had a very successful Collegiate career, winning awards each year. He was ranked the No. 1 College player and was voted the SE Conference Athlete of the year. Having graduated, JP is now on the Pro-circuit and has successfully made the transition from college tennis, with his ranking at 224 and in the process of being improved.

John-Patrick Smith

On a sweltering 30 degree day in Melbourne, it was Smith who got off to the best start breaking Greg early and going to a 2-1 lead. Greg reponded and broke bakc immediately to level at 2-2, only for Smith to break again and hold serve to go up 4-2. He then put Greg under pressure again, forcing Greg to defend another two break-point opportunities at 15-40. Greg rose to the challenge, winning four straight point to get to 3-4. Smith was serving well however and Greg was unable to make any in-roads into his service games, Smith serving out the first set 6-4.

Melbourne Park outside courts



Greg was immediately on the attack in the second set, holding serve, breaking Smith and holding serve again to go out to a 3-0 lead. He then brought up more break-point opportunites on Smith's serve but was unable to convert, games going to 5-2. Greg then brought up two set points on Smith's serve, and an opportunity to serve first in the third set, but Smith served well on those points and saved, forcing Greg to serve out the set, which he did to win the set 6-3 and level the match at one set all. 

In a repeat on the first set, Smith broke Greg early to lead 2-0 but Greg broke back to level at 2-2. Greg then had a fantastic opportunity to go ahead when he forced Smith to 0-40, but again some good serving from Smith saw him elude the break of serve. The rest of the set saw a very high level of tennis with some great rallies and good winner, including some drop shots from Greg, games going with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. Greg broke Smith and raced to a 3-0 lead, but Smith held serve and then broke Greg to level at 4-4. He then broke Greg again in the next stanza of serves to get to set-point and serve for the set. But Greg saved that point to swop sides at 6-6. He was unable to win the next point though presenting Smith with another set point but this time on Greg's serve. The pressure told though and Greg ignomiously served a double fault, gifting Smith the tie-break 8-6 and the third set 7-6.

Greg served first in the fourth set and both players maintained the high standard of tennis they had played in the 3rd set, games going with serve to 3-2. Greg had a small window of opportunity, getting Smith to 0-30 but Smith served his way out of troubles to level the score at 3-3. The effects of the first round five set match which Greg had played was beginning to tell, with Smith having had a three set match and in the next game Smith forced Greg to 15-40 and had two break point opportunities, converting to take a 4-3 lead. Smith held serve for a 5-3. Greg responded and got the score to 4-5, forcing Smith to serve for the set and the match.

A tight game ensued, with Smith playing to avoid making an error, and Greg attacking, both players having some success, in getting to 30-30 but an attacking forehand long from Greg saw Smith brign up match point. Another good first serve by Smith gave him the last point and the fourth set 6-3, winning a long, intense battle 6-6, 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.

It was unfortunate the two mates had to meet so early in the play-off, most spectators saying that match had the quality to be the final and perhaps should have been but that is the draw.

Greg was naturally disappointed but overall was buoyed by the fact that, after all his injury and illness woes of the past year, he had played two long matches, one a five-setter, the other in four sets, and had come through the matches in excellent condition. He had shown he could play a five set match in tough, hot summer conditions.

Now back to the training courts and gym to get even fitter for the New Year.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #2

 After a week's rest and some more scans of his injured leg, which revealed that there should be no lasting damage to his injured knee, it was back to sme serious hitting and training for Greg, in preparation for the Australian summer of tennis. But there was a little matter of the Australian Open Wild Card play-off for those Australian players not ranked high enough for direct entry into the main draw. Due to some no shows, due to injuries and players electing to forego the play-off and train solidly for the summer, Greg was to be seeded No. 7 for the event in a 16 man field. Greg was not sure if he was ready to play due to his time off for his injury and especially as the format for the play-off was the best of five set matches, but he decided to incorporate the play-off into his training schedule and get some valuable match time.

Melbourne Park Outside Court

The draw threw up the worst result for Greg, against the next best player not seeded, 25 year-old Queenslander Michael Look. Look had beaten Greg on a few occassions in the Juniors and had elected to take up a scholarship at a USA College, where he had graduated before taking on the challenge of a professional tennis career.
Greg has since got his revenge, beating Look, currently ranked 452, in straight sets at Coloundra in February this year. Look, who has a very consistent flat game with a accurate serve, will prove to be a challenge for Greg, who is had a lot of time off and is rusty and down on confidence.
The first set saw Look take the initiative and get an early break on Greg. Greg struggled at first with the windy conditions making serving difficult and the cool weather makign the courts and balls slower and lower bouncing. Greg was unlucky not to convert a few break-point opportunites that he

created against Look and then got broken again, to lose the first set 2-6.

Greg on his forehand

As the sun came out and the day warmed up Greg started getting back into the match, again creating some break point opportunities. Again he was unable to break and games went with serve. Then on the only break-point he faced, Look played the better point, and broke Greg on his first opportunity of the set to go a break up, Greg losing the second set 4-6.

Two sets to nil down and facing a mountain of work to win in this five set match, Greg took stock: He said at that stage he was feeling ok, he felt his play still had some scope for improvement and that Look was playing at his red-line and would not be able to sustain that level of play. So Greg knuckled down and immediately got results, breaking Look early and then holding serve. But mid-way through the set a lack of concentration by Greg saw Look break back, the score going to 5-5. Greg then broke Look and served out the set 7-5, now trailing Look 1-2 in sets.

Queenslander Michael Look

The fourth set mirrored the 3rd set fairly closely, with Greg now growing in confidence and serving better. Greg got the vital break of serve advantage and again served out the set competently, this time 6-4, and levelled the match at 2 sets all.

The decisive 5th set commenced with both players holding serve for 1-1. Greg then broke Look to go up a break 2-1, then 3-1 up. Look upped the ante and served well to hold his serves and then forced Greg to hold his serve, games going with serve with no break point opportunities to 4-3. Greg held for 5-3, and Look replied to get to 4-5 and put the pressure on Greg again, at the end of a tough five sets, to serve out the match. Greg was up to the challenge and did so, win the 5th set 6-4 and a long three and a half hour match 2-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

A good come from behind win for Greg, which will do his confidence much good but will have sapped his energy a fair bit. It is only the second five set match he has played and the first time he has won. He has a days break before playing his second round match.