Oz Summer 2012-13 #12

 

Burnie, Tasmania

A cold and drizzly day greeted the players for the second round of the Challenger tournament in Burnie. Greg was up against a good friend of his, 25 year-old Rubin Statham from New Zealand, currently ranked 340, who, as a solid baseline player, would be relishing playing in the conditions with the heavier, slowerballs. Greg and Statham had played against each other, with Greg slightly ahead in the head-to-head, and have trained together extensively, so know each other's games well.
Greg started the proceedings and held serve well, and then the rain came down, chasing the player's indoors for another three hours. Upon the resumption of play it was Statham who got the jump on Greg, breaking early to go to a 4-2 lead. Serving at over 75% first serves, Statham was able to hold off Greg, denying him any opportunity to break back and took the first set 6-4.
In the second set Greg was unchallenged on serve and held his serve easily. He set about breaking the serve of Statham and got him to deuce in five of his service games, bringing up break point twice. But Greg was unable to convert those chances, and with Statham serving at an incredible 85% of first serves, games went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6.

Rubin (Jose) Statham

Statham got off to a flyer in the tie-break and on the back of Greg starting with an aggressive double fault, two good 1st serves and another pressure double fault by Greg, Statham led 4-0. Greg set about reducing the gap, holding serve and breaking back one serve, to get to 4-5, Statham serving. But Statham continued his good serving, solid under presuure and won the last two points of the match to win the tie-break 7-4 and a hard fought match 6-4, 7-6.
Not the result Greg was looking for but Statham's good serving (88% with 77% won in the 2nd set) in difficult conditions, with slow balls made it a very difficult match for Greg. Double faults at crucial stages of the match by Greg was the difference ultimately.
Greg's first round doubles match was postponed until Thursday due to the rain, but with more rain forecast for Thursday it looks like he may not have a match on his birthday.
Happy Birthday Greg.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #11

 With the Australian Open 2013 done and dusted the Australian Tennis circus moved along to the venue for the first Aussie Pro-circuit event of the year, the $50k Challenger in Burnie, in northern Tasmania, near Launceston. Greg has played at Burnie quite often, getting to the finals twice, the first time being in his first Challenger tournament of his career. One of the last acceptances due to his low ranking at the acceptance cut-off date, Greg was grateful he did not have to go through three rounds of qualifying and was determined to take any opportunity the draw threw up as his first round match up. With a swathe of Australians in the field, Greg surprisingly drew a foreign player, unfortunately the No.7 seed, 22 year-old Italian Alessandro Giannessi, currently ranked 238 but boasting a high ranking of 126 in April last year.
With Greg serving first games went with the server to 2-2. Greg then lost his next service game to the left-handed Giannessi, but then immediately had Giannessi at 15-40, converting on the second opportunity to level the score at 3-3. It was short-lived though, as Giannessi reversed the score-line and broke Greg to again lead with a break of serve, serving with new balls to get to 5-3 up. Greg held his serve but although he got Giannessi to deuce in the next game he could not prevent Giannessi from serving out the set 6-4.

A view of Burnie, Tasmania

Greg said Giannessi did not play as a leftie normally plays and it took him awhile, until midway through the second set, to figure out how he was playing. With Greg again serving first in the second set, games went with the server, both playing confidently to 3-3. Greg then held serve to love with the new balls for a 4-3 lead and then pressurised Giannessi to 15-40, again converting on the second opportuity to break Giannessi and lead 5-3. In a mirror image of the first set Giannessi forced Greg to deuce as he served for the set but Greg withstood the pressure and held serve, winning the second set 6-3 and levelling the match at one set all.
Giannessi had the advantage of serving first in the 3rd set and games went to 1-1, 40-15. greg then pegged Giannessi back to deuce and brought up break-point, converting to lead 2-1. Giannessi fought back but Greg held firm from deuce, to lead 3-1. At 4-2 Giannessi managed to save another two separate break-points, which would have given Greg a double break lead, to keep the score close at 4-3. With new balls Greg held for a 5-3 lead and then got Giannessi to deuce. Greg got the advantage and had match point on Giannessi's serve and broke Giannessi for the second time in the set, to win the set 6-3 and a hard fought match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the second round.

Alessandro Giannessi


Greg said the match had started in realativel light wind, which increased quite a bit during the course of the match and then died down. He had struggled at first with Giannessi's "non-leftie" style of play and also with the older style Australian Open balls, which fluffed up quickly and got very slow. He countered Giannessi's style well in the latter part of the 2nd set and the 3rd set and maximised his opportinities with the new balls
when possible, and did not face a break-point in the 2nd and 3rd sets whilst creating six opportunities against Giannessi, converting three times.
Greg is playing doubles with James Duckworth but is scheduled to only play again on Wednesday.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #10

The second week of the Australian Open saw four of the out-side courts hosting a a different form of singles as the finals of the Asia-Pacific Tennis League took place. The Australian version of team tennis involving finalists from the Australian States as well as a from New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, who had qualified by winning their respective area leagues, is based on a similar scoring format as World Team tennis with shortened sets (best of three "first to four" sets, with a five point tie-break at 3-all, sudden death deuce games, sudden death tie-breaks and no lets), which makes for quick results and some surprise results.
Greg was playing for the NSW team ATP Sydney, comprising Adam Feeney, Greg, Matt Barton, Nick Lindahl and retired player, now coach Ryan Henry, led by coach Luke Bourgeois.

Greg in ATL colours

Seeded No. 2 out of eight teams, the ATP Sydney's first match, effectively a quarter final, was against the WA Giants. Greg, playing at No.2 faced up against Adam Carey, on his birthday, a relatively unknown older player. Carey started on fire and broke Greg early. Greg twice had Carey at 15-40 in the first set, but Carey rode his luck with some bet cord serve winners and good serve and volley winners, managing to hold serve and pouch the first set 4-1. Greg hit back, stepping up the pace and won the second set 4-1 and the deciding 3rd set 4-2. With all the Sydney players winning and backing up in the doubles as well, it was a clean sweep for Sydney, who advanced to the semi-final.

Michale Venus for the NZ Kauris


The semis had ATP Sydney face a sterner test in the form of the NZ Kauris, and Greg faced a good friend Michael Venus, who is currently ranked 514. Greg was moving so well and returned exceptionally and a sluggish Venus and broke Venus twice to take the first set 4-0. Venus tenaciously fought back and starting moving and serving better, breaking Greg to take the second set 4-2. Greg immediately got a break up in the 3rd set but Venus Broke back on a sudden death deuce and took the set to the 5 point tie-break at 3-3. Greg went ahead but Venus levelled and the match was decided on a sudden death point at 4-4, Venus winning that last point to win the match 4-1, 0-4, 4-3(4). The other three singles went the way of the Sydney side and the doubles were shared, Greg and Matt Barton winning 4-2, 4-2 over NZ's Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell, so the ATP Sydney won the semis and advanced to the finals.
On the other side of the draw the No.1 seeded Liston Seagulls from Melbourne, comprising Sam Groth, Matt Reid, Rubin Statham and James Lemke had reached the final having disposed of the strong Brisbane side led by John Millman. Adam Feeney was to play Groth, Greg faced up against Reid, Matt Barton had Statham and Nick Lindahl against Lemke.
Reid got the better of Greg in the first set, getting the vital break and winning 4-2. Greg hit back and broke Matt twice in the 2nd set to win it 4-0 and level the match at 1 set all. In the 3rd it was Greg who broke first to lead 2-1, but Reid pegged him back in the sudden death format and games went to the tie-break at 3-3.
Unfortunately Matt shaded Greg in the tie-break, winning the 3rd set 4-3 and a close match 4-2, 0-4, 4-3.

The victorious Liston Seagulls

The other matches were also close affairs, with 5 sets decided by a tie-break but the overall results going the way of the Victorian side. The doubles were shared, with Greg and Matt Barton getting a domicum of revenge in beating Groth and Reid 1-4, 4-1, 10-6, in yet another tie-break but the Liston Seagulls were the victors of the final by 4 rubbers to 2.
An interesting inaugural series which hopefully will expand in the future and receive better crowd support as it gains momentum.

OZ Summer 2012-13 #9



Warming up on Margaret Court Arena

The second round of the Men's Doubles at the Australian Open was scheduled as the 7pm match on Margaret Court Arena. Greg and partner Alex Bolt were drawn to meet the No.10 seeds but they were beaten by experienced doubles players Italian Daniele Bracciali and Czech Lukas Dlouhy. The 35 year old Bracciali is currently ranked 24 in doubles and, whilst now unranked in singles, boasts a career high ranking of 49. Similarly 29 year old Dlouhy is currently ranked 84 in doubles, with a high rank of 5 in 2009, with two Grand Slam doubles titles to his name. A very experienced and well credentialled doubles pairing, who will be a tough challenge for the Aussies, playing together for only the second time. 

Alex and Greg to receive

In front of a nearly full Margaret Court Arena, on a cool Melbourne evening, Greg opened the serving and held serve well, calming the Aussies nerves.

Dlouhy held serve and then young Bolt showed what he is capable of, stepping up and serving well to get the Aussies 2-1 up. But they were unable to make a dent in their opponents serve and at 2-2, after missing a few first serve Greg was broken, and games went to 4-2.

The Aussies were then again broken, allowing the Italian and Czech pairing to serve for the set. The Aussies pushed them to 40-30 but were not able to apply any more pressure and the set was gone, 6-2.

Greg serves a bomb



An early break in the second set saw the Aussies trail 1-3, but they played some good doubles tennis, using pace and good returning to overpower their more experienced opponents, and broke back to level the score at 4-4. Both pairings held for 5-5 and then Bolt served well to take the score to 6-5 up. Dlouhy stepped up to keep their team in the set and the Aussies attacked, quickly getting to 0-40, and have three set points. But Dlouhy came up with three first serves, nothing outstanding  



The Aussies change ends

but the Aussies were not able to get a return back and Dlouhy got back to deuce and then hit two bomb first serves to close out the game and take the set to the tie-break at 6-6.

The Aussies were quickly up a break in the tie-break but their opponents broke back and changed ends at 3-3, then led 4-3. With Greg serving Bolt missed a volley into the net and they fell behind 5-3. Greg then felt the pressure after missing his first serve and netted the second serve for a double fault, giving the Italian-Czech pairing 3 match points at 6-3, and on their serve. The Aussies played a great point to save the first match point but were unable to stop Dlouhy and Bracciali winning the tie-break 7-4 and a hard fought, entertaining match 6-2, 7-6.

Daniele Bracciali




Lukas Dlouhy

It was a pity the Aussies could not get that vital break at 6-5 in the 2nd set to take the match into the 3rd set, as there were signs that they were starting to rattle their opponents and were growing in confidence but it was not to be and the experience of their opponents was telling in the tie-break.

Greg was pleased that he had been part of the Australian Open 2013 and even more pleased with his and Alex Bolt's performances.

 







Oz Summer 2012-13 #8

The main event of the Australian Summer of tennis, the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific, aka the Australian Open saw Greg awarded a doubles wild card by Tennis Australia on the back of his excellent results in the Auckland ATP event. Viewed by some as a controversial decision, Greg was paired with a young Australian player, 20 year-old Alex Bolt, who had contested the singles qualifying, commendably winning his first round and going dwon in a close match in the second round, 8-6 in the 3rd set. Greg and Alex had not played together and only had a couple of practise session this week prior to the match.
They had dodged a seeded pairing in the draw but were still up against a couple of players ranked in the top 100 in the singles, Colombians 29 year-old Alejandro Falla, ranked 54 and 25 year-old Santiago Giraldo, ranked 64.

Falla and Giraldo

The Colombians won the toss and elected to receive, so Greg stepped up and confidently served to win the first game. The Colombians held and then a nervous Bolt had his service game, unfortunatley dropping serve to give the Colombians a break and a lead of 2-1, then 3-1. The Aussies had a chance to break back but could not convert and games went with serve to 3-5, Greg serving. A few missed shots and the Aussies were broken again, the Colombians pouching the 1st set 6-3.
The Aussie were not to be rolled though, and hit back immediately, breaking Giraldo, holding serve and then breaking Falla's serve to jump out to a 3-0, doubles break lead in the 2nd set. The Colombians responded and broke Bolt's serve to claw back one break.

Greg and Alex conferring

The plucky Aussies were not to be denied though and broke the Colombians again and then held serve to go to a 5-1 lead. The Colombians held serve forcing the Aussies to serve out the set which they did, to win the 2nd set 6-2 and level the match at one set all.

The 3rd set was a keenly contested affair, games going with serve to 4-3, the Colombians with the advantage. Then they forced the Aussies to 15-40, on Bolt's serve and had two break point opportunities. But the inexperience Bolt, playing in his first Grand Slam match, was not to be fazed, serving well to have the Aussies prevent the Colombians converting those opportunities, and holding serve for 4-4. At 5-5 the Aussies had the Colombians at 0-30 but could not make any further in-roads and the score went to 5-6, Bolt to serve to take the set to the tie-break. Nervelessly he stepped up and at 30-30 served two good serves to win the game.

The Aussies got an early lead in the tie-break and then relinquished, then broke again but the Colombians broke back, to change ends at 3-3. Points went on serve to 4-5, the Colombians leading and Greg to serve. He served two beauties and the Aussies were first to have a match point at 6-5, the Colombians to serve. After a short rally Falla hit a shot long and the Aussies had completed a memorable come-back in an entertaining match, winning the tie-break 7-5 and the match 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(5).

The final scorebaord

Greg and Bolt had smiles all round and eagerly signed autographs for some of the young fans. Bolt had won his first Grand Slam match and Greg his third, to advance to the second round of the Men's Doubles.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #7

The second round of the single of the Heineken Open in Auckland draw threw up an extremely challenging match for Greg. When an unseeded player beats a seeded player in the first round of an ATP 250 tournament he is guaranteed to meet another unseeded player in the second round. This Greg had done in beating the No. 6 seed and he did then get an unseeded player in the next round but this player was no  

Monfils at full stretch


ordinary player ranked at 99. It was former World No.7, a regular top ten player, 26 year-old Gael Monfils who has been sidelined by injury and had thus lost his ranking position and was on the comeback trail, granted a wild card into the tournament. Unfortunate for Greg, because Monfils is an player with tremendous flair and skill, tall with a big serve, and on his day he can beat anyone. He is unpredictable though, and perhaps Greg could catch Monfils on a bad day, a bit rusty after being off the circuit for a while and not match fit. 



Forehand from Greg

Greg, no doubt nervous on a packed Centre Court, opened with a good service game, as did Monfils, to get to 1-1. Monfils then upped the ante and attacked Greg's serve, breaking Greg to love to lead 2-1, then 3-1. Greg struggled to deuce in the next game but held serve to keep the score close. He then pressured Monfils to have two break points at 15-40 but Monfils saved both point and won the game to go 4-2 up. games went with serve to 5-3 and Greg was forced to fight for the next game to prevent Monfils breaking to win the set. He was able to do so but was then unable to prevent Monfils from prevailing 6-4 to win the first set.

Hotdog!

Greg held the first service game to love in the second set and then forced Monfils to deuce in the next game but was unable to bring up a break-point opportunity and Monfils levelled at 1-1. Monfils then broke Greg in the next game and held serve to go to a 3-1 lead. Games went to 4-2 with serve and then Monfils pounced getting Greg to 0-40. Greg saved one break-point but could not stop Monfils from taking a double break lead, 5-2 up. Greg rallied and pushed Monfils to 30-30 but was Monfils was up to the task and served out the game, winning the second set 6-2 and the match 6-4, 6-2.

An end to the giant-killing run of Greg but a match that he would have enjoyed playing. A great experience on Centre Court against a top player in an ATP tour level tournament, with relative success and his first ATP tour level win, and two wins over high ranked top 100 players in a week. Much confidence and experience to be gained by Greg from this week's tournament.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #7

The first round of the single main draw of the Heineken Auckland Open ATP250 tournament saw Greg draw a real toughie, another veteran of the tour, 31 year old Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who has finished in the top 50 for the past five years. Seeded No.6 for this tournament, Melzer boasts a high rank of No.8 in 2011, where he was also in the top 10 for doubles, a rare occurence, and is currently ranked 29. To make things even more difficult it was a windy day in Auckland, with a stiff 35 kph billowing breeze.

Auckland's Centre Court

Greg won the toss and, playing on the Centre Court before a large crowd, chose to serve first, starting confidently and holding serve to love. Greg got Melzer to deuce in the next game but was unable to get a break point opportunity and, with both players serving well, games went with serve to 6-5, Greg serving 8 aces along the way. Greg then put the pressure on Melzer, who was serving to stay in the set, getting him to 30-40 and having a break point opportunity to win the set. But Melzer was up to the task, denying Greg and taking the set to the tie-break at 6-6. 

Greg Serving

Greg got an early break in the tie-break but Melzer pegged him back, the players changing ends at 3-3. At 4-4 Melzer broke Greg and then won his service point to lead 6-4, and have the opportunity to serve for the set with two set points in his favour.

Melzer serving

Greg dug deep and won that point and then held his own serve to deny 

Melzer and change ends at 6-6. Unfortunatey Greg dropped his next serve and presented Melzer with another set point opportunity, and on Melzer's serve. Again Greg was able to save the set point and then won Melzer's next serve as well, to bring up set point in his favour, and on his serve too, at 8-7 up. Despite missing his first serve Greg was abe to hang on and close out the tie-break 9-7. First set to Greg 7-6.

Greg salutes the crowd

With Melzer serving first in the second set, both players held serve to love, then at 1-1 Melzer raced to a 40-0 lead, then double faulted. Greg pounced on that small error and forced Melzer to deuce and then breaking point. Melzer saved that point but Greg was not to be denied, bringing up another break point and this time converting to go a break up at 2-1. With Greg serving with new balls, Melzer fought back and immediately had Greg facing three break points at 0-40. Greg dug deep again and with a well fought point, followed by two aces, Greg recovered to deuce and then held serve for a 3-1 lead. Games went with serve to 4-2, when Greg again broke a flagging Melzer to lead with a double break and at 5-2 serve for the match. Greg's nerve held and he held his serve to love, winning the second set and causing an upset, bundling out the No.6 seed in straight sets with a 7-6(9), 6-2 win.

With two top 100 scalps in two days, Greg will be delighted, the win over Melzer easily being the best result of his career to date.



Oz Summer 2012-13 #6

The final qualifying round of the ATP 250 tour event in Auckland saw Greg matched up against the No.1 seed, 31 year-old Romanian Victor Hanescu. Extremely experienced, the 6'6" Hanescu has a booming game and has been a top 100 player since 2003, currently ranked 61 with a high ranking of 26. A tough ask for Greg, ranked at 375 this week, but having dropped ranking due ti injury and illness in 2012.
On a very windy, cool but sunny day, Greg started nervously and the Romanian was quick to hold serve, break Greg and hold serve again to go out to a quick 3-0 lead. Greg adjusted to the conditions and started serving better, holding serve, less easily than Hanescu though, with games going to 5-2, Hanescu with the advantage. Hanescu then applied pressure to Greg's serve and got him to deuce but Greg held firm, to take the score to 5-3. Greg was unable to make inroads into the tall Hanescu's serve and Hanescu served out the set, 6-3.
Greg was serving first in the second set and held serve confidently in the tough breezy conditions, but Hanescu was equally as good, again holding serve more easily than Greg, games going with serve to 5-5, with neither player giving up a break point opportunity. In two long games, serves prevailed again and the players went to the tie-break at 6-6.
Greg was quickly up a break in the tie-break but Hanescu pegged him back to swop ends at 3-3, then led 4-3 on serve. Greg stepped up and held both his serve to get to 5-3 up. He then broke Hanescu to get to set point at 6-4, with Hanescu still to serve. Greg needed this point to avoid having to serve for the set, to level the match and he went for it, breaking Hanescu and winning the tie-break 7-4, the set 7-6, to level the match at one set all.

Victor Hanescu

Hanescu was still thinking of the tie-break as he started serving in the 3rd set and Greg pounced, bringing up two break points and converting on the second one to break Hanescu and lead 1-0. But the experienced Hanescu was not going away and bounced straight back, raising his game and breaking to get level at 1-1. Games were keenly contested but went with serve to 3-2, Hanescu holding to love. He then forced Greg to break-point but Greg denied him and after a long deuce game held serve to get to 3-3. Games then went with serve, Greg unable to make any gains on Hanescu's serve, and holding his own serve well, to again get to the tie-break at 6-6.
A very determined Greg attacked and broke Hanescu  and then held serve to lead 3-0, then broke again to get to 4-0. Hanescu hedl for 4-1 before Greg served to get to 5-1 up. Hanescu upped the ante and broke Greg, denying the opportunity to get to match point, the score at 5-2. Hanescu held serve to get to 5-4, then Greg had to serves to win the match. Hanescu had other ideas and broke Greg to level at 5-5. If he broke Greg again, he would serve for the match. Greg needed a 1st serve but could only serve a fault, but with steely resolve held on his second serve to bring up match point at 6-5, on Hanescu's serve. Two good first serves saw him deny Greg the match point and then bring up match point at 7-6. Greg's turn to feel the pressure and he missed the 1st serve but held, then won the next point again on his 2nd serve, to get to 8-7 up. His match point, but on Hanescu's serve. This time Hanescu held on a 2nd serve and with a booming 1st serve brought up match point his way, at 9-8. Greg stepped up and denied Hanescu with an ace, changing ends at 9-9. Another ace saw him again bring up match point at 10-9, but again on Hanescu's serve. This time though Greg was able to match Hanescu and won the point, closing out the tie-break at 11-9, winning a hard fought, nerve-wracking thirrd set 7-6 and taking a dramatic victory, in a match lasting two and a half hours, 3-6, 7-4(4), 7-6(9), to qualify for an ATP tour event for only the second time in his career.
Well done Greg. All that training and hitting over the past month paying off.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #5

The second round of qualifying in Auckland had Greg matched up against another veteran, USA's 34 ear-old Michael Russell, currently ranked 87 on the ATP rankings. Russell has been a constant in the upper levels of the top 100 over the past four years, with a high rank of 60 in 2007. Extremely fit and quick, Russell relies on his movement and "never-miss" ethos to wear his opponent down. A tough match for Greg.
It was then a very relieved Greg who advised that Russell had withdrawn and that he had received a walk-over into the final round of qualifying. A lucky break for Greg, something he has not had for awhile, which will give Greg the opportunity to recover further from yesterday's three set match and to prepare for his next match.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #4

After weeks spent training at maximum and hitting with many different partners, it was a disappointed Greg who faced up to the New Year, and the reality of his ranking at around 370, not being able to get into qualifying in the Brisbane ATP tournament. He was a spectator but continued training and hitting, housing with old mate Joel Lindner and getting some quality hitting in Brisbane. More disappointing news was to follow, that he was being overlooked by Tennis Australia for a wild card into the Australian Open qualifying tournament. This will be the first time Greg will not have played at the Australian Open since 2006.

With the probability that Greg would not make the cut for the qualifying draw in Sydney, Greg set off for the ATP 250 event in Auckland, a tournament he would not be able to play if he was in the Australian Open qualifying. Greg was hopeful of making the cut in Auckland, which he did and played his first round match on Saturday 5th January 2013. Hopefully lucky 13 for Greg.
In his first round encounter he was drawn against a tricky player, veteran 36 year-old German Frank Moser, currently at the twilight of his career ranked a lowly 1089, but with a doubles ranking of 67. Greg has played Moser once before in 2010, and won that match in straight sets, on clay.
Serving first Greg was quick out of the blocks, holdin serve, then breaking Moser to go up 2-0, then 3-0. Moser held serve for 3-1 but Greg broke Moser again to lead 5-1 and served out the set 6-3, not having faced a break point in the set.

Frank Moser

Moser was not going to disappear in the 2nd set though. He held serve in the first game and then broke Greg to lead 2-0. Greg responded and had a break point against Moser, but in a reverse mirror of the 1st set, Moser denied Greg the opportunity and held to lead 3-0. Games went with serve to 4-1, Moser again denying Greg a break point. He then got Greg to 15-40 and threatened to go a double break up, but Greg served two aces to get back to deuce and then hold serve get to 4-2. At 5-3 Moser served for the set but Greg had other ideas and broke Moser and then held serve to level the set at 5-5. Both players struggled to hold serve but easch held serve to get to the tie-break at 6-6.
In the tie-break Greg fell behind at 1-3, then broke back for 2-3, then dropped serve again to trail 2-4 at the break. He then held and broke Moser twice to serve for the tie-break and the set and match at 5-4. Inexplicably, despite Greg serving two first serves Moser won both points to lead 6-5 and then won the tie-break 7-5 and the second set 7-6, levelling the match at one set all. Nervous times for Greg, who lacked real match play.
Greg regrouped and strongly served first in the 3rd set, holding serve easily and then getting to 2-1 up. He then got Moser to 15-40 and converted to break Moser and lead 3-1. At 4-1 Greg again had break points to go up 5-1 but Moser saved and got to 4-2. Greg held to lead 5-2 and then had a match point on Moser's serve but could not break and Moser held for 5-3. Greg then had to serve for the match. He started nervously, losing the first point but steadied to complete the game, and win the set 6-3, winning a hard fought match 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3.
Not the best performance by Greg who will no doubt have to step-up for the second round match against a better opponent tomorrow. But he did win his first match of 2013.