Americas in the Spring 2013 #21

The quarter finals of the singles of $10k Futures tournament in Tampa Florida was a replay of the previous week, with Greg again facing 28 year-old Mexican  Daniel Garza, this week seeded 7, ranked 468. Garza moved to Vero Beach in Florida in 2011 to be with his coach who bought into the local tennis centre, so is familiar with local conditions and the green clay surface. Greg decided to play today and had his stomach taped as best as possible to try and play with the abdominal strain he suffered in the match the previous day.

Daniel Garza at Vero Beach

It was a brave effort from Greg, desperate to gain much needed points but with Greg's serving ability severely blunted Garza was able to dictate play, breaking Greg twice in the first set and winning the set 6-2.
The second set did not start well for Greg with him dropping his serve early in the set again. At 0-3 down and with his stomach becoming painfull again, Greg reluctantly decided is was best to retire and not do himself anymore and retired injured from the match.
So ended Greg's Americas tour for this season, not as he had anticipated, nor with the results he hoped and fought so hard for. He is disappointed but after a short break to recharge and recuperate from this latest set-back, he will hopefully bounce back and embrace the challenge that is professional tennis once again.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #20

Another rising star of USA tennis faced Greg in the second round of the singles in Tampa, Florida. 19 year-old Mitchell Krueger was ranked No.5 in the ITF Juniors in 2012, with a semi-final appearance at Junior Wimbledon, and was the No.1 ranked junior in the USA when he decided to tackle the Pro-tour. He already has some good wins under his belt, with a SF final in an F10 tournament his best result to-date. With his ranking already up to 696, Krueger will be looking to topple the No.1 seeded Greg and build on an impressive start to his professional career.

Amenities at the Club

 In a close-first set, it was Krueger who went ahead, forcing a break of serve on Greg's serve, to lead 4-2. Greg hit back immediately, breaking Krueger and holding serve to level the match. He then took the iniative with another break of Krueger's serve, winning four games in a row to pouch the first set 6-4.
In the second set games went with serve to 4-4. Greg however was feeling the effects of a stomach muscle strain and was having trouble with his serve. Krueger was able to break Greg to go ahead 5-4 and serve for the set. Greg denied him and broke back to level at 5-5, but under duress again dropped his serve to trail 5-6. This time Krueger served out the set 7-5, to level the match at 1 set all.

Teenager Mitcehll Krueger

 In the third set an ailing Greg, serving first, had his serve broken early in the set to trail 1-2. At that point he remarked to Dave, his hitting partner, that "I'll will just break him here then pull out". Break back he did, to level at 2-2, and thought he might just keep going, give it one more try. He held serve, just rolling them in due to his sore stomach, for 3-2, then suddenly it was 4-3. Greg thought "break, hold and it's done, so just continue". It did not work out that way, Krueger holding serve for 4-4, then 5-4 and 5-5. Greg stepped up and held a vital service game to lead 6-5 and put the pressure on Krueger to stay in the match. Greg got the better of the rallies and got Krueger to break-point, match point, converting to win the 3rd set 7-5 and a hard fought match 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

Greg's big serve neutralised

Greg said that he considered that he got lucky in the match, having the better of the close decisions. He lamented that "tennis is so unfair, I didn't deserve to win. I could'nt serve, got soo lucky on some things, which was the opposite of Mexico when I could not take a trick" and lost matches he should have won. Such is life. Greg will assess the extent of his abdominal strain before taking to the court in the QF round tomorrow.
In the doubles, the day prior, Greg and Dave Bidmeade went down, after losing a close first set 7-1 in the tie-breaker, and the second set 6-2, to American ex-college pairing Jean-Yes Aubone and Ryan Rowe.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #19

Tampa, Florida was the venue for Greg's next tournament, a $10k Futures event. The top seed this week Greg's first round opponent, 24 year-old American Eric Quigley, had a chequered Collegiate tennis career, being Kentucky University All-American three times, ranked as high as 3 and reaching the NCAA final, losing to top him Steve Johnson. Quigley has risen quickly to his current ranking of 548 since completing his studies. A tough first round challenge for Greg.

American Eric Qiugley

Greg rose to the challenge in the first set, maintaining focus and holding serve. He broke Quigley twice on his way to winning the set 6-2.

The second set was a closer battle and it was Greg who created the break-point opportunities, converting to get a vital break, then serving out the set 6-3, to notch up a solid win and advance to the second round. 

American Mark Oljaca



In the doubles Greg partnered with his hitting partner and good mate Dave Bidmeade, who is unranked in the ATP but plays Club Tennis in Australia. They were up against the pairing of 31year-old Romanian Catalin-Ionut Gard and 23 year-old American Mark Oljaca, ranked 918 and 1079 respectively in doubles. A relatively comfortable re-introduction for Dave back into Pro- tennis.

Dave shook off initial nerves and the Aussies produced some decent doubles tennis, getting up a break of serve in each set, to win the match 6-3, 6-4.

Greg will only play his second round singles match on Thursday but the Aussie pair will be back on court for the doubles tomorrow.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #18

The quarter-finals of the singles of the Orange Park Futures tournament saw Greg face a tricky match against 28 year-old Mexican Daniel Garza, currently ranked 468, with a high rank of only 294. Garza will be a tricky opponent as some of the Mexican players tend not too travel as much as other players and thus they do not have as many opportunities as other players to accummulate points, so it is difficult to judge their actual ranking or form. Garza had been successful on this type of clay court previously having won a Futures title at Vero Beach a few years ago, but on paper Greg should win if he serves well and is able to maintain his intensity and concentration.

The green clay courts at Eagle Landing


The first set saw an even contest but it was Garza who got the decisive break of serve and he was able to hold his serve to surprise Greg and win the set 6-3.
Greg came firing back, increasing the intensity and taking the game to Garza, breaking the  Mexican twice, eventually win the second set 6-1 and take the match into the third set, at one set all.

Garza playing Davis Cup for Mexico

Garza was not done though and he rallied for the fourth set, matching Greg's intensity and keenly contesting each game. In the end the Mexican's clay court prowess and experience prevailed and with just one break of serve advantage, he served out the third set 6-3, to win the match 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
Not a good result for Greg. He said he had not played well in the first set and that Garza had appeared to tank the second set once Greg had got his nose in front on the scoreboard. Both players had played well in the third but Garza just egded Greg, playing the big points better and getting the vital break. Greg said he felt his game is heading in the right direction but on reflection it is a match he should have won. Greg's coach Todd Martin was watching the match so hopefully he will be able to derive something from the loss and help Greg through his coaching.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #17

 

The Resident's Clubhouse at Eagle Landing

 Greg's second round opponent in the singles at Eagle Landing, Orange Park was another young American, 18 year-old Ronnie Schneider, a relative newcomer to the pro-circuit, currently ranked 1415.

Ronnie Schneider



Greg dominated the first set, breaking young Schneider three times to delivery a bagel, 6-0, score-line.

Greg took his foot off a bit in the second set and Schneider got into the match more, but was unable to make any inroads into Greg's serve. Greg again broke Schneider to take a stranglehold in the set, running out a 6-0, 6-3 winner, to advance to the quarter-final round of the singles.

Austrian Sebastian Bader

In the semi-final of the doubles, the No.1 seeded "Greg's" faced up against a Collegiate pairing of 25 year-old Austrian Sebastian Bader, ex Hawaii Pacific University, and 24 year-old American Erik Elliott, of the University of Sand Diego Tritons. Although both player's have low rankings in the doubles, they have not played a lot on the pro-tour but are well experienced in the doubles game and will be a test for the pro-tour team.

Erik Elliott

Both sets were keenly contested but it was the doubles experience of the College players which made the difference in the end. They snared the first set 6-4, with just a break of serve difference.
The Greg's played their way back into the second set and got the score to 5-5 in the second set. However, nerves and few errors combined to tip the score-line in favour of the Americans, who got the decisive break and won the second set 7-5, causing an upset over the No.1 seeds and proceeding to the final with a 6-4, 7-5 win.
Greg will not be happy with that result but at least he and Greg Ouellette can concentrate on the singles, with both players in the quarter-final round.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #16

Eagle Landing Estate, Orange Park

Greg's first challenge in the singles of Orange Park $10k Futures was a rising star of USA tennis, young 17 year-old Noah Rubin, who has a high ranking of 6 in the ITF juniors, with a rank of 1048 on the ATP tour. Greg will need to bring his experience to the fore in this match.

Young Noah Rubin

Greg was quickly into the match and broke Rubin early and holding his own serve to consolidate and lead in the set. Another break of serve saw Greg go even further ahead and then win the first set 6-2.
It was much of the same in the second set, with Greg too strong for young Rubin, who held his own but in the end Greg's experience told and he won the second set 6-3.

Latvian twins Janis & Martins Podzus

In the second round of the doubles, played the same day, Greg and mate Greg Ouellette were up against a Latvian twins, 18 year-olds Janis and Martins Podzus, currently ranked 1510 in doubles. The "Gregs" were too strong and experienced for the Twins, the No.1 seeds running out comfortable 6-3, 6-4 winners, to advance to the quarter-final round of the doubles.
Anyday Greg wins two matches in a day is a good day for Jonesie.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #15

It was a hop, skip and jump across Florida for Greg to Orange Park, the venue for his next tournament. It was back to the Futures for Greg, with no Challenger tournaments in the USA until after Wimbledon, and his ranking being too low to gain entry into the French Open qualifying, he has opted to stay in the USA and play a couple of low-level Futures tournaments, to hopefully get a few wins under his belt and gain a few points, no guarantee though. In addition, coach Todd Martin is going to watch Greg in action, which will help in his coaching of Greg.

Partner Greg Ouellette

Not due to play his singles match until Wednesday, Greg and partner Greg Oulette, a good friend of Greg's from Florida, were scheduled to play their doubles match first. Seeded No.1 for this tournament, the pressure will be on them to perform to their potential, up against a Mexican pairing of 28 year-old Daniel Garza, ranked 468 with a doubles ranking of 300, and young 15 year-old Angel Peredo, as yet not ranked, mixing the experienced with the raw talent.

Mexican Daniel Garza

Playing on grey clay, the "Greg's" had the better of the first set, gaining a break of serve and then serving out the set to win the first set 6-3.
The second set was more closely contested, with games going to 5-5. The Mexican pairing then were able to apply pressure on the "Gregs" and broke the serve, going on to win the second set 7-5, to level the match at one set all and go into the unpredictable match tie-break 3rd set.
Greg and Oullette, faced with an ignomious first round exit, re-grouped, re-focused and rallied to fight back. They gained the ascendency and then held serve to have four match points at 9-5, converting on the 2nd opportunity to win the tie-break 10-6 and a nervous match 6-3, 5-7, 10-6.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #14



Finals Day Order of Play

Finals day at the Tallahassee Challenger saw Greg in rare attendance, with partner Peter Polansky of Canada, in the doubles. They were up against the No.1 seeded pairing of Americans, 22 year-old Austin Krajicek and 21 year-old Tennys Sandren, ranked 130 and 165 respectively in the doubles, so a very handy doubles pair.

Tallahassee Court side atmosphere

Greg started serving first and held serve well, as did Sandgren. Peter was forced to save break point at deuce in the next games and did so to get to 2-1. They then got Krajicek to 15-40 and capitalised, breaking serve to go 3-1 up. The Americans fought back, getting Greg to Deuce but he came up trumps, holding to consolidate the break, for a 4-1 lead. They then repeated the dose on Sandgren's serve to have Peter serve for the set at 5-1. Peter confidently got to 40-0 before the nerves set in, and the Americans saved three set points to get the score back to deuce, and have Peter and Greg face sudden death game or break point. Fortunately they converted to snare the first set 6-1.

Tennys Sandgren

Sandgren led off the 2nd set and at 1-0 up had Peter facing 4 break points at 0-40. Peter and Greg dug deep and saved those break point to thankfully hold serve. Krajicek and Greg confidently held serve to go to 2-2, then Sandgren saved at deuce for a 3-2 lead. Peter, who had served well all week and in the first set then got to 40-30 up and with game point inexplicably served two double faults to hand the break of serve to the Americans. Greg and Peter fought back and got Krajicek to deuce but he managed to save for a 5-2 lead. The Americans were on a roll and broke Greg to 15 in the next game to win the second set 6-2 and take the match to the 3rd set match tie-break.

Peter and Greg returning serve

After the sit-down Greg and Peter bounced back and broke the Americans' first point but the Americans replied in kind and levelled at 1-1, points then going with serve until 4-4. Greg and Peter then broke and led 5-4, Greg holding his next two serves to lead 7-4. The Americans replied, holding their serve to close the gap to 6-7 but Peter and Greg still held the advantage with a mini-break but the pressure was on. 

Austin Krajicek (thanks to Zoo Tennis)



Peter faltered with a double fault for the score to be levelled at 7-7, then lost the next point for the American to go 8-7 up and then hold serve, winning five points in a row to bring up two match points at 9-7. Greg and Peter saved the first point, getting back on serve at 8-9, with Greg to serve.

Unfortunately the Americans were able to break again, winning the point to win the match tie-break 18-0 and take out the doubles title with a 1-6, 6-2, 10-8. Krajicek and Sandgren had hung tough, coming from behind in the match from a set down and then in the tie-break, from a break down, to justify their seeding and use their double play experience to win an entertaining match.
Greg said although disappointed he was happy with his performance and had played well but it was not to be on the day.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #13

The semi-finals of the doubles in Tallahassee had Greg and Peter facing up against another American pairing, 24 year-old rising star Reid Carleton, and 21 year-old college player Sekou Bangoura, respectively ranked 455 and 581 in singles, who received a walk-over past the No.2 seeds and then beat an unseeded pair to get to the semi-finals, so a winnable match.

Greg at the net in the semis

Greg held his first serve as did the Americans. Peter then saved two break-points before they forced Carlton to 15-40 to have three break point opportunities. Three good serves from Carleton denied Greg and Peter, to get the score to 2-2. Then it was Greg's turn to face break points and they responded well, saving three break points as well to maintain the status quo.



Sekou Bangoura

At 3-3 Peter then was forced to 15-40 but, like on Greg's serve, they again managed to salvage the situation and hold serve to lead 4-3.

Games then went with serve to 6-5. Greg and Peter applied the pressure on Carleton, serving, and Bangoura and brought up two set points at 30-40, breaking the Americans to win a very tight first set 7-5.

Reid Carleton

The second set, with Greg and Peter serving first, went to 2-1, then they forced Carleton to deuce and managed to win the sudden death point, to take a single break lead, 3-1 in the match. With the wind in their sails, Greg and Peter won their next serve to love, to consolidate the break at 4-1. They then forced Banguora to 0-40 and converted the opportunity to go a decisive double break up at 5-1. Peter stepped up and served out the set and the match, winning the second set 6-1 and the match 7-5, 6-1 to put them into the final.
Not a stellar performance in the first set but they showed their class in the second to shut-out the lesser ranked opponents and win.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #12

The quarter fianl round of the doubles at Tallahassee had Greg and Peter matched up against a USA Collegiate pair of Americans, 25 year-old Jean-Yves Aubone, who Greg played in the singles qualifying, and 26-year-old Vahid Mirzadeh, both players having achieved their high rank in doubles in April this year of 574 and 245 respectively. The USA college players are usually experienced doubles campaigners, having competed regulary in doubles matches on the College circuit, so could prove to be tough opposition for Greg and Peter.

Jean-Yves Aubone

 Greg started the proceedings, and both teams held serve to get to 2-1, when play was delayed by rain. After a short break, Greg and Peter took charge, breaking serve and holding their serves comfortably to pouch the first set 6-3,without facing a break-point, or getting to deuce, in the sudden death deuce format. 

Vahid Mirzadeh

The USA pairing served first in the second set and held serve for a 1-0 lead. Greg and Peter also held, levelling at 1-1. They then broke the Americans' serve to go a break ahead at 2-1, and consolidated the break,  holding serve, for a 3-1 lead. At 2-3 Aubone & Mirzadeh forced Greg to deuce and a break/game point. Greg stepped up to win the point and stay a break up at 4-2. From that stage of the set serves dominated, with the next four games all being won to love, as Greg and Peter shut out their opponents and won the second set 6-4, for a solid 6-3, 6-4 win, to advance to the semi-final round of the doubles.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #11

Playing with Canadian Peter Polansky in the doubles, Greg was up against the No. 3 seeds, 25 year-olds Denys Molchanov of Moldovia and Nicolas Barrientos from Colombia. Molchanov is currently ranked at his highest ranking of 206 in singles with a current doubles ranking of 111, which has been as high as 85, whilst Barriento is ranked 287 in singles and 293 in doubles, both near his recent highest rankings. In comparison Gregs doubles ranking is 307, whilst Peter is at a high of 243, but their high singles ranking are both better than Molchanov and Barrientos, so it could be a close contest especially with Greg not having had much doubles action lately.

The green clay courts

With Greg serving first, it was not a good start for the Canadian/Australian pairing, dropping serve in the first game to love to trail a break of serve at the start. But they bounced back immediately breaking back to level at 1-1. Games went with serve to 3-2 when Greg and Peter got their opponents to 15-40 and finally converted the break point opportunity on the 3rd chance at sudden death deuce, to lead 4-2, then 5-2. Barrientos and Molchanov held serve and then, with Greg serving for the set, got him to 30-40 and had two break points. Greg saved the first point but a double fault gifted their opponents the break, to get them back on serve at 4-5. Greg and Peter came back strong, getting Barrientos and Molchanov to 0-40 and converting the third set point to thankfully win the first set 6-4.

Nicolas Barrientos

Services dominated early in the second set and games went with serve to 3-3. Greg and Peter then lost their serve at deuce, to trail 3-4 but hit back in the next game to break back and level the score at 4-4. Games then went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Barrientos and Molchanov got consecutive mini-breaks to lead 4-1. Greg and Peter pegged one break back to get to 4-2, but then dropped another break to trail 6-2, and face four set points. They saved two set points but could not stop their opponets from winning the tie-break 7-4, and the set 7-6, to level the match at one set all.

Denys Molchanov

In the new doubles format (now three years old) the third set tie-break is a match tie-break, first to 10 points, by a margin of 2 points.
The momentum was with the Moldovain/Combian pair and things looked ominous for Greg and Peter, but they were straight back into it, breaking Barrientos and Molchanov three times to get to a 5-0 lead. Their opponents fought back, getting the score closer at 8-5, then broke again for 8-6 and put the pressure on Greg and Peter to hold serve, or be back on serve. They held to lead 9-6 and bring up match point, breaking their opponents again to win the match tie-break 10-6 and a topsy-turvey hard fought match 6-4, 6-7, 10-6.
A good win for Greg after his singles loss earlier and the second win for Peter on the day.

Americas in the Spring 2013 #10

In the Main Draw of the Tallahassee Challenger Greg had a toughie in the first round, the No. 5 seed 25 year-old Tim Smyczek from the USA, currently ranked 120, with a high rank of 101 achieved recently in February this year. A very compact, consistent player, Smyczek is the defending champion and will be tough to topple on the green clay.

Greg in new Fila cothing at Tallahassee

Greg's serve was not firing in the first set and he was quickly in trouble, going down an early break, at 1-2. Smyczek held serve for 3-1 and Greg rallied to close the gap to 3-2. But with Greg serving at below 40% it was inevitable that Smyczek would break him again, which he did to go 5-2, up. Greg fought back though and managed to break Smyczek as he served for the set, getting one break back at 3-5. With Greg still serving poorly Smyczek was able to prevent Greg getting back in the set, breaking Greg a third time to win the first set 6-3.

American Tim Smyczek 

In the second set Greg rallied and regained the rythm on his serve, serving much better. With Smyczek serving first, games went with serve to 4-4 and Greg was able to put some pressure on Smyczek, bringing up a break-point opportunity and converting to break Smyczek to go 5-4 up, with a chance to serve for the set. But it was not to be, Smyczek rallied and forced Greg to break-point, converting to level the score at 5-5. Smyczek then held serve to lead 6-5 and put the pressure back on Greg to stay in the match. Smyczek again forced Greg to face a break-point, this time a match point. Greg was unable to save the point and Smyczek had come from a break down to win three games in a row and win the set 7-5 and the match 6-3, 7-5.
Greg was bitterly disappointed. He said he had played terribly in the first set but had played his way back into the match and had a chance at taking the match into a third set. But, against quality opposition, with a lack of match practise and perhaps a lack of confidence, he had faltered and not closed out the set.
Greg is playing in the doubles with Canadian Peter Polansky and will play later in the day.