Americas in the Spring 2013 #3

After a short coach ride Greg and Dave arrived in Leon, Mexico for the qualifying rounds of the next Challenger Tournament. Greg's task: to win three rounds to get into the Main Draw. First up he luckily avoided a seeded player, his first round challenge being Polish born German national 25 year-old Peter Torebko, currently ranked 319, with a high ranking similar to Greg's of 182.

Plaza in Leon

The first set was closely contested, with Greg having the better serve stats, and he only gave up one break point, which he saved, in the set. Torebko managed to save two of the break-point opportunities which Greg created but Greg converted the third opportunity to get the advantage and win the set 6-4.
The second set was again hard fought and the player's swopped service breaks early in the set. Torebko then managed to save a break point opportunity which Greg created, then proceeded to break Greg a second time, going on to win the set 6-4, to level the match at 1 set all.

German Peter Torebko

Serving first in the 3rd set, Torebko held serve to lead 2-1 and then had Greg facing break point at 15-40. Greg rallied and saved the first, then the second break point, to get to deuce and then held serve to win a "must win" game to stay in the match and level at 2-2. A break then could have been the end of Greg's tournament. On the back of the disappointment of not getting that decisive break, in the next service game Torebko gave up a break point opportunity and Greg seized the chance, converting to lead the match 3-2. He then consolidated the break by winning the next game to love, to go 4-2 up, having turned the set, and the match around, in a matter of three games. But Greg still had much work to do. Torebko rallied back, holding to love as well, getting to 3-4 and then had Greg facing break-point. Greg dug deep and saved, then after a couple of deuces he held serve to go 5-3 up. He would love to break Torebko to avoid having to serve out the match and fought for every point, getting Torebko to 30-30, then 30-40 and break-point/match point. He thankfully converted the opportunity, to win the set 6-3 and a tough three set match 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Hard work in only Round 1 of qualifying but he was still in there - one down, two to go.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #2

The second round of the Challenger in San Luis Potosi had Greg facing the No. 4 seed, the veteran Swiss, 31 year-old Marco Chiudinelli, from Basel in Switzerland, where he grew up with the maestro Roger Federer. The two players were good friends during their formative years and still are good mates. Currently ranked 151, Chiudinelli has a high ranking of 52, some 51 places above his good mates' best rank, and winnings of just $1.7 million compared to Roger's $71 million! Good on all surfaces Chiudinelli will be a tough match for Greg.

San Luis Potosi street scene

Playing with the "non-pressurised" balls it was Chiudinelli who served first. Greg says the balls are harder to control, as they do not take spin as well as the normally aspirated balls, so the 1st serve percentage is normally less and it is hard to kick the 2nd serve. The result is if you hit a 1st serve you normally win the point and the second serve gives the opponent a good look at the balland he normally wins the point, and double faults happen more often.
Both players started well but at 2-1 up Chiudinelli forced Greg to break point. Greg saved but then immediately faced another break point and lost that serve to go 1-3 down. He was unable to make any in-roads into Chiudinelli's serve and games went with serve to 6-3, with Chiudinelli pouching the first set.

San Luis Potosi at night

With Greg serving first in the second set, he held serve and the had Chiudinelli facing break point but Chiudinelli recovered and held serve, games then going to 2-2. Chiudinelli then broke Greg and held serve to go to a 4-2 lead. Things were not looking good for Greg but he dug deep and held serve and then, on the back of two double faults by Chiudinelli, he broke back and levelled the score at 4-4. Chiudinelli hit straight back and immediately had Greg facing three break points, converting to again go a break up at 5-4, and serve for the match. Greg repeated the dose though, denying Chiudinelli and breaking him again to level at 5-5. But in a see-sawing set, Chiudinelli got Greg to 15-40. Greg saved those and got to deuce, and had a game point, but Chiudinelli denied him and then broke Greg to lead 6-5, and again serve for the match. Greg was still not done and, in a break-a-thon, he again broke Chiudinelli and levelled the score at 6-6, taking the set into the tie-breaker.

Marco Chiudinelli

Greg was first to gain the advantage in the tie-break, with Chiudinelli serving a double fault to go 1-2 down, then Greg serving two 1st serves to take the score to 4-1. Then Chiudinelli served another double fault, for Greg to lead 5-1, then held for 5-2. Greg served another 1st serve to lead 6-2, and have four set points, the 1st on his serve. He missed the first serve and Chiudinelli pounced on the second serve, getting a break back at 3-6, then serving well to get to 4-6, then 5-6. Greg still had a set point on his serve but, again on a second serve, Chiudinelli denied him levelling the score at 6-6. After they changed ends Chiudinelli broke Greg again to take the advantage, and a match point at 7-6. A good serve saw him win his 6th point in a row and snaffle the set from Greg, winning the match 6-3, 7-6.
Greg was annoyed that he could not serve out the set, that he did not get the luck to take the match to a third set but conceded that he had some luck in getting to the tie-break. It would have been a great opportunity for Greg but given his recent bout of flu and resulting level of fitness, he in all likelyhood would have battled to win the match in the 3rd set.
Greg did not make the cut for the doubles so he and Dave Bidmeade will now head for Leon in Mexico for the next tournament, where Greg will have to play through the qualifying rounds to get into the tournament.

Americas in the Spring 2013 - #1

It was a still very sick Greg, suffering from a severe bout of flu, with a bad cough and massive headache, who headed from Kyoto to Jacksonville, Florida on a very long flight. Greg had two weeks of training with former world No. 4 player, American Todd Martin, ahead of him. After a few more days recuperation, it was fully into training at Todd's academy, on and off court, with some tactics and counselling thrown in, as Greg still had remnants of the flu, especially a nasty rasping cough.

Towards the end of the training block, Greg was joined in Miami by good friend Dave Bidmeade, who will be travelling and working with Greg for awhile this year. The pair then set off for Mexico, to play in the qualifying of a Challenger tournament in San Luis Posoti, on clay. Due to Greg's low ranking at the moment, Greg was 11th on the alternate list, so was scheduled to play in the qualifying rounds. On arrival they were greeted with the good news that sufficient players ahead of him in the draw and in the list had withdrawn, and Greg was the last direct acceptance in the main draw, thus avoiding three rounds of qualifying. Good news, especially as Greg's flu had returned, although not as severe as previously, so he was back in recovery mode and on the antibiotics. He now also had a few more days in which to recover.

Greg had avoided a seeded player and his first round match was against 27 year-old Italian, Riccardo Ghedin, an experienced clay court campaigner, currently ranked 268, with a high ranking of 222. Being the last direct entry, every player in the draw would be ranked higher than Greg, so this was a relatively good draw for him. How would he go in his first match back after three weeks off, and still suffering the effects of flu?
With Greg serving first, they swopped breaks of serve in getting to 3-3. Greg then saved break point to go 4-3 up. He then again forced Ghedin to break-point, breaking him to go 5-3 up and serve for the set, doing so, to win the set 6-3.

Italian Riccardo Ghedin

Ghedin served first in the second set and at 1-1 Greg had Ghedin facing three break points at 0-40. He rallied and saved them, getting to deuce, then had game point but Greg denied him and brought up another break point, this time breaking to go 2-1 up. Ghedin turned up the heat and had Greg facing break point in the next game. Greg hung tough, saving then break, then holding serve to consolidate the break at 3-1. Greg then broke Ghedin again and held serve to lead 5-1. Ghedin made it 5-2 and forced Geeg to serve for the match, always the hardest game. 0-15, 15-15, 15-30, 30-30 then break point at 30-40! But Greg saved and brought up match point, converting to win the set 6-2 and advance to the second round with a hard fought 6-3, 6-2 win.
A confidence boosting win for Greg, who thought it was a great result. He says he is still only at 85% health wise, and less fitness wise, but is feeling a lot better and with his next match only scheduled for Thursday, Mexico time , he was some more time to recover.

Japan then USA Tour 2013 #2

Scenic view in Kyoto

It was more than a cold from which Greg was suffering, the Doctor diagnosing his illness as Influenza A and promptly dosed Greg up and sent him to bed, hopefully to recover as soon as possible. Given the circumstances Greg's fighting win over Ben Mitchell was even more remarkable.
As a result he has withdrawn from the doubles, scheduled for today, and is hoping to be in shape to play his singles match tomorrow. By latest reports he is likely not to be able to play.
Greg was not able to recover in time, still being full of flu and not well at all when due to play, and had to forfeit his singles match. He was due to play the No.1 seed Yuichi Sugita, who received a walk-over into the next round. Greg has also not been able to fly and has delayed his departure, flying to Florida to train, until Saturday evening. Just can't get a sustained period of play without some interference. Hope his luck changes soon.

Japan then USA Tour 2013 #1

Kyoto in Japan was the venue for the next Challenger and most of the higher ranked Australian players had taken the trip there to compete. Greg was drawn against his younger compatriot a 20 year-old Queenslander Ben Mitchell, currently ranked 375 but with a high tank of 209. Ben is a very good mover and very fit and should return well on the slick indoor carpet surface.

Kyoto colours of Autumn



 Mitchell commenced the serving, but it was Greg who was quick out of the blocks, serving well and getting to 2-2. He then forced Mitchell to face 5 break points, eventually converting the 5th point, after Mitchell had come up with a good serve on each of the other points, and going 3-2, then 4-2 up. Greg was serving very well at over 80% and games went to 5-4, with Greg to serve for the set. His adrenalin was running high and Greg missed three first serves and Mitchell capitalised, breaking Greg to love and levelling the set at 5-5, games going to the tie-break at 6-6.

In the tie-break it was Greg who got the first break to go 3-2 up. Serving big, Greg unfortunately hit a double fault to allow Mitchell to get the break back and then fell behind a break. Greg rallied and won both of Mitchell's serves to go ahead a break again, but history repeated itself and another double fault by Greg saw the score levelled at 5-5. Greg held serve to bring up set point at 6-5 but on Mitchell's serve. It was a much relieved Grey who broke Mitchell to snaffle the set which he had dominated but almost lost 7-6.

Aussie Ben Mitchell

The second set saw both players serve at a low percentage but each managed to hold serve. Mid set both players had long deuce games but neither gave up break point opportunities, games going nervously along to 5-4 on serve, with Greg ahead. Greg applied the pressure on young Mitchell, who was serving to stay in the set, getting Mitchell to deuce and then bringing up the only break point of the set, also a match point for Greg. He won the point and the game, set and match 7-6(5), 6-4.
Greg said he had realised his serve had deserted him and played accordingly, to eek out a win. It was not pretty he said. He is battling the onset of a cold but only has doubles duty on Tuesday so has time to recover for his next singles match on Wednesday.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #28

A rainy day threatened for the quarter-finals of the singles at Homebush in Sydney, with Greg up against the rising star of Australian tennis, 17 year old Nick Kyrgios, winner of the Australian Open Junior title this year. The pair had played each other three weeks ago in Adelaide where Kyrgios was the victor in straight sets. Lets hope Greg can go one better this time.
The rain held off and it was Greg who started serving but it was Kyrgios who started better, breaking Greg in the opening game to take the advantage. As in Adelaide, Kyrgios was serving at an amazing 70%+ first serves and winning most of those serves, and Greg was unable to put any pressure on Kyrgios. Greg faced another break point mid set but was able to save and stay close to Kyrgios, games going with serve to 4-5, with Kyrgios forced to serve for the set. He did so to love, winning the set 6-4.

Nick Kyrgios

Greg re-focused for the second set and got immediate results, holding serve and then breaking Kyrgios, who threw in a few second serves, to lead 2-0, then consolidated the break at 3-0. Both players were serving well and games went to 5-3. Kyrgios forced Greg to face a break point when serving for the set but Greg did so and then won the game, winning the 2nd set 6-3 and taking the match to a 3rd set.

Reflections on a wet court at Homebush

Both players started the set well but it was Kyrgios who at 2-1 got the early break to lead 3-1 and then served two aces in consolidating to get to 4-1. Greg fought back for 4-2, then 5-3 but Kyrgios was serving too well and shut Greg out, winning the 3rd set and a fiercely competitive match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, to advance to the semi final.

A disappointing result for Greg but he played well, with just a single break of serve in each set being the difference. And then the persistant rain came, which washed out play for the rest of the day. Greg is now off overseas, first stop a Challenger Tournament in Kyoto, Japan.
Nick Kyrgios went on to win his first senior tournament.