American Summer 2013 - Vancouver #1

In Vancouver for the next Challenger Tournament, this one a level higher at $100k, Greg has dealt a challenge in the first round, drawn against the No. 7 seed, 26 year-old German Mischa Zverev, currently ranked 140. Zverev was a top 100 player four years in a row, with a high rank of 45 in June 2009. He slipped down the rankings over the past two years to about 270, perhaps through injury, but is now making his way back to the top.



Scenic Vancouver

With Greg serving first it was Zverev who got the first break-point opportunity, forcing Greg to 15-40. Greg saved the first point but could not deny Zverev, who went a break up, the score going to 4-3. Zverev held to lead 4-3. Greg did like-wise and then put pressure on Zverev to serve our the set at 5-4. The pressure told and Greg forced Zverev to face break-point, breaking the German to level the set at 5-5. Zverev was straight back at Greg though, forcing him to 15-40. Greg managed to save those break points to get to deuce, but Zverev brought up another and converted to again go ahead at 6-5. Greg forced Zverev to 30-30 but could not stop him serving out the game to win the first set 7-5.

Starting the second set both players held serve then Zverev broke Greg to go ahead 2-1. Greg fought back and was able to break Zverev, games going to 3-3. Greg had another break-point opportunity but could not break Zverev, who held tight to get the second set to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Greg won the first point with an ace, them broke Zverev to go 2-0 up. They then both held serve, for Greg to lead 4-1. Greg then pouched the next two points off Zverev's serve to have five set points at 6-1, serving out the tie-break with another ace, to win the tie-break 7-1 and the set 7-6, levelling the match at a set all.

German Mischa Zverev

The third set went with serve to 3-2, Zverev leading, when Greg, having served 9 out if 10 serves to start the set, missed 4 out of 5 first serves and Zverev capitalised, breaking Greg to lead 4-2. Greg hit back immediately, breaking Zverev and holding serve to level at 4-4. He then forced Zverev to 0-30, but four good points saw Zverev hold serve and lead 4-5. He then forced Greg, serving to stay in the match, to 0-40 and bring up three match points. Greg responded and saved those points to get to deuce, but Zverev brought up another match point. Again Greg saved and then held serve to get to 5-5. Zverev held serve, as did Greg, to take the third set to the tie-break.

Greg was immediately in attack in the tie-break, getting a mini-break 1st point and holding serve to go 3-0 up. Zverev took the score to 2-3 and then Greg held serve to go 5-2 up. He then brought up match point with another mini-break of Zverev's serve and then repeated the break to win the tie-break 7-2, the set 7-6 and a memorable match 5-7, 7-6(1), 7-6(2).

A match in which Greg, whilst not serving at his best throughout, showed true grit, and a never-say-die attitude, to come back in all three sets and then serve very well in both tie-breaks, luck playing some part in him being able to save four match points in the third set.

American Summer 2013 - Lexington #4

The second round in Lexington had Greg facing up against the No. 1 seed, 25 year-old Ukrainian Illja Marchenko, currently ranked 150, having dropped from 114 last week when the draw was done, with a high rank of 67. A tough assignment with much riding on the match for both players, with Greg needing to win to make sure he makes the cut for qualifying for the US Open, whilst Marchenko wants to do well in order to get his ranking below 104 and make the cut for he main draw or be seeded in qualifying.

Essential equipment

The first set was a tight affair and it was just one break of serve that separated the players. Marchenko saved the break point opportunity Greg had, while Greg could only save one of the two break point opportunities against him, Marchenko winning the 1st set 6-4.
In the second set, with the luxury if the first set under his belt, Marchenko attacked Greg's serve and got a double break up. Greg pegged him back a break to close the gap but could not get the other break back. Marchenko was then able to hold serve and, with the pressure on Greg to stay in the match, he broke Greg for the third time in the set, to win the set 6-2, and the match 6-4, 6-2.

Ukranian Illya Marchenko

It was not the best serving display by Greg, serving at 48% in the first set and a better 55% in the second, not enough to put the pressure on the No. 1 seed. Still a good week for him, with three wins out of four. Hopefully by qualifying and winning the 1st round will give him enough points for him to be able to sneak into the US Open qualifying tournament. The cut is normally around 250 and Greg's ranking should be around that mark next week, depending on other results in tournaments around the globe.

American Summer 2013 - Lexington #3

Into the main draw in the Challenger tournament in Lexington after successfully qualifying, Greg's first round opponent was 22 year-old  Nippon Hiroki Moriya, currently ranked 173, near his high rank of 170 achieved last December. Miroya has a few wins over top 100 ranked players under his belt and reached the semi-finals in the Granby Challenger last week, so is in good form. A tough match for Greg, after his long three set match yesterday, but one not above his capability.

Serving first Greg showed signs of stiffness and was slow to get going. Moriya started well and broke Greg on the first game, held serve then forced Greg to face another break point in the third game. Greg saved that point and held serve and then started on working on how to break Moriya and hold his own serve, games going with serve to 4-5, with Moriya serving for the set. Greg applied pressure on Moriya and got the vital break back to level at 5-5. But Moriya was straight back, forcing Greg to 30-40. Greg saved getting to deuce and then had game point, but Moriya was not done and broke Greg to lead 6-5. He then served out the set, winning it 7-5. First blood to Moriya.

Legend Nick Bollitieri at Lexington

Greg was more into the match now, having taken a while to adjust his game from fast indoor played yesterday, to the slower outdoor, breezier court conditions of today. Both players opened the second set with first serves only, to easily get to 1-1. Greg held for 2-1, then with Moriya serving with the old balls, forced Moriya to 0-40 and converted the opportunity to lead 3-1, then 4-1. Playing with more confidence now and with his serve improving every game, Greg served out the set 6-4, to level the match at a set all.


Horoki Moriya

Greg, wind in his sails now, was straight into the third set, breaking Moriya first game and holding serve to lead 2-0. He repeated the dose in the next games, but having to save a break point, to get to 4-0 up. At this stage Greg said Moriya's head dropped, he was looking tired on a hot humid day and Greg was able to break Moriya after a longish game, and then serve out the set, to win it 6-0, and a well played match 5-7, 6-4, 6-0.Greg said he had not felt any stiffness but obviously was a bit slow off the mark to start and took awhile to get his range on the outside courts, both with his serve and his returns. He improved all match, serving the last part of the match at over 65%, which helps.
Greg is not scheduled to play tomorrow so will enjoy a day not competing, before he tackles the second round.

American Summer 2013 - Lexington #2

Hilary J Boone Tennis Complex

The final round of qualifying in Lexington had Greg up against 27 year-old South African Fritz Wolmarans. A winner of 11 Futures and Challenger titles, with a high rank of 198, Wolmarans has been in a form/confidence slump but, now ranked at 452, is hoping to make his way back up the rankings. A big server, much will depend on how he serves.

With Wolmarans serving first, Greg forced Wolmarans to save two break points in getting the score to 3-3. Then, with Wolmarans serving with the old balls in the seventh game, Greg managed to break him and take a 4-3 lead. With rain threatening Greg quickly went to 40-0 up but, perhaps rushing to finish the game and condolidate the break before it rained, he served consecutive double faults, letting  Wolmarans back into the game. Greg managed to recoup and save two break points but then the rain forced them off court at deuce.

After a long delay it was decided to move the matches indoors. Not ideal as it changes the court surface and at Lexington the indoor courts at not air-conditioned, making it very hot and humid.

Scoreboard at the College courts

Recommencing at 4-3 up with Greg serving at deuce, Greg ensured he held serve to lead 5-3 and put the pressure on Wolmarans to hold serve. Greg broke him to snare the first set 6-3 and also serve first in the second set.

Greg held serve, as did Wolmarans, but was then, at deuce in the next game, forced to save three break points. He raised his game, saved each break-point opportunity and then held to get to 2-1. With both players serving well games went to 5-4, Greg with the advantage. He again put the pressure on Wolmarans to hold and stay in the match, and forced Wolmarans to 0-40 and three match points. But Wolmarans responsed and, to quote Greg, hit "ace, huge second serve I barely touched and fore-hand winner, was just too good" to stay in the match, holding serve to level at 5-5. At 6-6 the players went to a see-sawing tie-break, swopping 3 mini-breaks of serve, to get to 5-5. Greg then broke Wolmarans again to bring up another match point, serving at 6-5. Then as Greg describes it "I served wide, he crushed a back-hand return down the line and I hit a lucky half volley open court on the line, only to watch him hit a full running fore-hand angle cross court winner. It was unbelievable and heart breaking at the same time". After that Greg lost the next point and Wolmarans had set point, hitting a good first serve to win the tie-break 8-6, levelling the match at 1 set all with a 7-6 set win.

Fritz Wolmarans

Greg was fired up at the start of the 3rd set and, with Wolmarans serving first, he broke twice to lead 3-0. But then, serving with the old balls he stuttered, and Wolmarans broke back and held serve, to close to 2-3. Greg was still a break up and was able to hold serve to get to 5-4 and serve for the match. Wolmarans denied him his fifth match point in getting to deuce but Greg held firm, winning the game and the set 6-4, for a hard fought 6-3,  6-7, 6-4 win, to qualify for the main draw of the tournament.

It was a tired and slightly cramping, but very relieved, Greg who departed the courts. The irony is that poor Wolmarans, also tired and sore, is staying in the same housing as Greg.

 

American Summer 2013 - Lexington #1

In Lexington for the next Challenger tournament Greg was in qualifying, as the cut for the Main Draw was done three weeks ago when his ATP ranking was 314, and he missed the final cut by four places. Ranked 242 this week, he is the No.1 seed for the qualifying and had a bye in the first round. His second round opponent was 21 year-old New Zealander Sebastian Lavie, who had joined the Morataglou Tennis Academy in Paris at the tender age of 11. Lavie had shown much promise as a Junior but has not yet delivered on that yet as a senior player, currently ranked 1019, with a high rank of 784. A match which Greg should win but for which he will be a tad nervous.Greg did not serve at a high first serve percentage in the first set but did convert 90% of his second serve sand was able to get through the set without facing a break point. In contrast he dominated Lavie's second serve, winning the majority of points in producing three break point opportunities and converting two to go 5-2 up and winning the set 6-2.

New Zealander Sebastian Lavie

Greg came out firing in the second set and immediately broke Lavie again to lead 2-0, and on the back of some good serving and returning, took a stranglehold on the set, dominating both with his serve and returns, winning all his first serves while serving at 71% and then breaking Lavie twice more to deliver a bagel to Lavi in the second set, winning the match 6-2 6-0.

A confident win by Greg with which he will be pleased. He lost just two points on his serve in the second set and restricted Lavie to just 6 points on Lavie's serve. Two down and one round to go in his quest to qualify.

Greg said that whilst he served well, his win was not as good as it looked. At the end of the first set Lavie had taken a toilet break and Greg thought that he might as well do so as well. In the toilets he heard Lavie getting sick and figured that Lavie was not well. Greg did well to maintain his focus, and serve and play well in the second set. After the match Greg was sympathetic to Lavie who said he had had a bout of food poisoning.

American Summer 2013 - Binghamton #2



Binghamton skyline

The draw gods had fun at Binghamton this week, with Greg up against the same player he roomed with at Newport and played against in the singles, JP Smith, and his Aussie partner, and good friend of Greg from NSW, Adam Feeney. They were the No. 1 seeds, with both Smith, at ATP74, and Feeney, at ATP100, at career high ranking in the ATP doubles. Formidable opposition, going on rankings.

Queenslander JP Smith



Serving first Smith and Feeney held serve and then brought the Gregs to sudden death deuce break/game point. This point the Gregs managed to save to get to 1-1 but they were unable to stop the Aussies from winning the next 8 points, to go a break up at 3-1. The Gregs were unable to break-back and then dropped their serve for a second time, Smith and Feeney going 5-1 up and then serving out the set 6-1.

Adam Feeney from NSW

The Gregs held serve to start the second but in a repeat if the first set, Smith  & Feeney broke at deuce and then held at deuce to go 3-1 up. Greg held for 3-2 but were unable to break the Aussies who extended their lead to 5-2, winning another deuce sudden death point. The Gregs made a last ditch effort to get back into the match, getting Feeney to 30-40 but were denied the break of serve with two good points by Smith & Feeney, who held to win the match relatively easy 6-1, 6-2.The No. 1 seeds played the big points better on the day. It is a tournament Greg will have to quickly like to forget and put behind him as he now heads to Lexington for the next Challenger, most likely having to play qualifying as he did not make the main draw cut.
After the doubles, the annual Binghamton "fast serve" competition was held. With a racquet borrowed from JP by Greg (because it had a heavier weight head), Greg managed to top all the other big server's, like Ilja Bozoljac, and scooped the $350 top prize for the fastest legal serve, clocked at 134 MPH. Greg was very chuffed... but could not replicate those serves in the doubles match.

American Summer 2013 - Binghampton #1

After a week training with Todd Martin, with some other top players such as Brian Baker, in Newport, which is one of Greg's favourite destinations, it was off to Binghampton, in New York State, for the next Challenger tournament. A relatively poor standard draw had been boosted by a few higher profile USA wild cards and so Greg missed out on being seeded for the singles.
In a quirk of the draw gods, Greg was drawn against the player he shared accommodation with in Newport, long time mate, Aussie JP Smith. The two have known and played with and against each other since they were 12 years old. A US College four time "All American" of the year and voted SEC Male Athlete in 2011 during during his college days, JP made a quick transition to the pro-tour, reaching a high rank of 210, However he dropped 100 places in the ranking last week, as he was unable to defend the points he earned in winning the Winnetka Challenger title last year, due to still being involved in the rain delayed doubles at Wimbledon, and could not get to the tournament, and a result is now ranked 388. As in the past, it will be an even contest between the two mates.

JP Smith at the Australian Open

Serving first it was Smith who got the better start in the match, breaking Greg to go ahead, 4-1. Greg held serve, as did Smith to get to 5-2. Then Smith broke Greg again to take a set he dominated 6-2, despite Greg having a high first serve percentage.

The second set was a tight fought affair, both players taking the advantage, with two breaks of serve each, games eventually going to the tie-break at 6 games all. The tie-break was also a see-sawing affair, Greg and JP changing ends for the second time tied at 6-6. Greg then went ahead, getting the decisive mini-break to win the tie- break 8-6, to level the match at a set-all.
Greg served well in the third set but was unable to take advantage of low percentage serving by Smith. Smith however was reading Greg's serve and managed to break Greg twice and take the initiative. Greg fought back breaking Smith to close the gap. He then held serve to get to 4-5 but despite getting Smith to 30-30 he was unable to prevent Smith from serving out the set, winning the set 6-4, and giving Greg another close loss, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Not a match Greg would have enjoyed, as Smith, a left-hander, is a very consistent, accurate player, who makes his opponent go for winners, and wears his opponent down. Greg will be very disappointed with that result.

Grass Season - Manta on Hard #6

Facing Greg in the final of the Manta Challenger was the No.1 seed, 35 year-old Michael Russell from the USA, currently ranked 95, with a high rank of 60. A fifteen year veteran of the Pro-circuit, diminutive Russell makes up for his lack of stature and big serve with accurate, never miss consistency and tremendous court coverage, with superb fitness. A winner of 12 titles on the Challenger circuit, the experienced Russell will be tough nut to crack in the twilight of his career.

In front of a large festive Saturday night crowd on a warm evening Russell served first and, after holding serve, he took advantage of a nervous game from Greg to break, and then take the score to 3-0, then 4-1. Greg started to lose his stiffness and nerves and started serving better, holding for 4-2 then getting Russell  to deuce, bringing up break-point and converting to get back on serve at 4-3. He reeled off his next service game to love then set about breaking Russell again to go to 5-3 up. He stepped up and served out the set, having won 5 games in a row to recover from 1-4 down to win the first set 6-4.

Greg in action

Then the wheels literally fell off for Greg. Three unforced errors gifted Russell  the first game, then a bad service game and more unforced errors and a double fault saw Russell break Greg to lead 2-0. Greg forced Russell  to save a break point in the next game but could not prevent Russell holding serve to lead 3-0, then break Greg again, with Greg serving at below 50%, to lead 4-0, then 5-0. Russell then broke Greg again to deliver a 6-0 bagel to win the second set, and level the match at 1 set all. A poor set by Greg and time for him to re-focus.

The festive local crowd at the centre

A toilet break and change of his sweaty clothes gave him time to regather and he came out firing again in the third set, holding his serve to love to get to 1-1. He then forced Russell  to 0-40 to give himself three break points. Unfortunately Russell responded with some good serving and plays, saving those points, winning 5 points in a row to hold serve for 2-1. He then had to save a breakpoint on his own swrve to get to 2-2, games then going with some top quality tennis to 5-4, Russell leading. In a marathon 10th game of the set, Russell brought up match point twice on Greg's serve and each time Greg fought back and denied Russell, eventually winning the game after six deuces to level at 5-5. Then it was Greg's turn to have break points to go ahead, but with Greg having played a great point and hit a cross court forward and followed the ball in after what looked like a winner, Russell got across out wide and at full stretch hit a running forehand passing shot which curled past a lunging Greg and was never in until it hit the court in the corner, to deny Greg the break - a virtual match winner. Russell then held serve to got 6-5 up.

Champion Michael Russell with the spoils

Then, despite Greg serving well, Russell  returned equally as well to get Greg to 15-40 and bring up consecutive match points and converted the first opportunity to win the set 7-5 and a well contested match 4-6, 6-0, 7-5.

Greg was obviously disappointed. He had outplayed Russell a the end of the first set, then did not go on with the job as he lost concentration and intensity in the second set. He was able to recoup and more than matched Russell in the 3rd set but some fantastic shot-making by the veteran, with a modicum of luck, at the business end of the match saw the pendulum swing Russell's way, to get the win and deny Greg his first Challenger title.

Nevertheless, it was a good week for Jonesie, who was unseeded in the draw and had played well enough through the week to reach the final, gaining a crucial 48 points, which will see him back under 300, around 250, in the ATP ranking and give him a shot at getting into qualifying for the US Open.

Grass Season - Manta on Hard #5

Semi-final day in Manta, Ecuador and Greg was scheduled second match on against the No.4 seed, young 20 year-old Argentinian Facunda Arguello. A top 10 ranked Junior player, Arguello had a high ranking of 164 last month, so is in good form but is best suited to clay court surfaces and Greg will fancy his chances against him.

Serving first Greg was on fire to start the match, holding serve to love, then breaking Arguello in the Argentinian's first service game to lead 3-0. Greg then was forced to save a break-point on his own serve to consolidate the break at 3-0, then broke Arguello again for a double break 4-0 lead. Greg held for 5-0, then 5-1, before serving out the set 6-1.


Greg serve volleying

Greg then lost focus and intensity, starting the second set with three unforced errors on Arguello's serve an following up with a poorservice game with two consecutiv double faults to hand Arguello a 2-0 lead and a lifeline back into the match. Greg's could not get back into his first set form and quickly found himself 4-1 down. Arguello took advantage of some more poor serving by Greg and got asecond break to lead 5-1, easily serving out the set 6-1, to mirror the first set score and level the  match at one set all.

After a toilet break and change of his sweaty shirt on a 27 degree celcius evening, it was a more focussed Greg who took to court for the third set, although still not back at his first set insensity. He struggled to find a first serve, at 50% level, but still managed to get to 2-1 with some good all-court tennis, coming into the net frequently to win the point. 

Argentinian Facunda Arguella


He then upped the ante and forced Arguello to face two break-points, converting the first to take an critical 3-1 lead. He consolidated the break with a love game, but still only one first serve, to lead 4-1. Arguello fought back, aided by some uncharacteristic errors by Greg to get to 2-4, then breaking Greg to get back on serve at 3-4.
In the next game, at 30-15 Arguello thought he had hit an ace to go to 40-15, but the serve was called out and Arguello remonstrated with the umpire. Greg won the point then brought up breakpoint, converting to go a break up again at 5-3. Arguello was not pleased, snapping his racquet in half on the ground. Greg then stepped up to crucially serve out the match. He lost the first point but came good to win the game and the set, winning  a very topsy-turvey match 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.
Greg had played well in the first set but had not enforced his superiority or advantage, allowing Arguello back into the match, to regain confidence and once again put pressure on Greg. But Greg came through to reach the fifth Challenger final of his career. Let's hope he can win his first title tomorrow.

Grass Season - Manta on Hard #4

In the quarter-final round of the Manta Challenger, Greg's opponent was another up and coming ex-junior player, 21 year-old Andreas Collarini of Argentina. Born in New York and currently residing in Boca Rotan, Collarini had moved from NY to Argentina with his parents at the age of 3, where he grew up. His junior career has very similar to Greg's, having attained a top rank of 5 and been a finalist at the French Open. Due to this Collarini had been wooed by the USA to play under their banner and for awhile he was trained and coached by the USTA but has now reverted back to representing Argentina. Lower ranked in the ATP at 355 than his junior stats suggest, Collarini will be a dangerous player for Greg to play.

Greg served first and held, as did Collarini, games going to 3-3 with both players serving well. Then from 40-15 up Greg lost four points in a row to lose his serve, for Collarini to lead 4-3, then 5-3. Greg held for 5-4 but could not break Collarini, who pouched the first set 6-4.

Greg in action in the QF round

Both players held serve to start the second set, then Collarini forced Greg to 30-40, converting the opportunity to take a critical advantage at 2-1. He consolidated the break at 3-1, and with both players serving well games went quickly with mainly love games to 5-4, Collarini still leading. Greg had desperately tried to make inroads into Collarini's serve but he just served too well. With Collarini serving for the match at 5-4 Greg kept the pressure on and Collarini buckled, Greg forcing him to 0-40 to have three break points. Collarini saved one point but was unable to stop Greg breaking and Greg was back in the match at 5-5.

Argentinian Andreas Collarini

Greg still had work to do and Collarini hit back hard, forcing Greg to face break point. This time Greg saved and held serve to go up 6-5. Collarini held serve to take the set into a tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Greg got an early break and although Collarini got the break back Greg broke again to lead 4-2 at the change of ends, then held the lead all the way to win the tie-break 7-3, and the set 7-6 to level the match at a set all.
Greg immediately pressed Collarini in the third set and had him defending break-points at 15-40 in the first game. Collarini got it back to deuce twice before Greg broke to lead 1-0. Collarini tried his best to get the break back but Greg was now playing with confidence and serving well, games going to 4-2. Greg said that he could see Collarini's head drop and he took advantage, breaking Collarini again to lead 5-2 and serve for the match, bringing up three match points. Collarini kept fighting though, saving two points but in the end Greg converted, winning the thirrd set 6-2, and a hard fought match 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, to progress to the semi-final round.
It was an intense match in which Greg never gave back, showing fighting qualities to turn it around and then go on with the win. He served well throughout at 67% first serves, with 12 aces and 4 double faults, winning 80% of his first serves.

Grass Season - Manta on Hard #3

The Howard Johnson Manta Hotel

Having beaten a seeded player in the 1st round, Greg now faced an unseeded player in Manta. His opposition was wild card recipient Ecuadorian Roberto Quiroz, aged 21 and currently ranked 732. A kind draw for Greg, but the six foot six left-handed Ecuadorian could be a dangerous opponent if Greg does not maintain his focus and intensity. Quiroz, whose low ranking does not reflect his talent as he has not played a lot of tournaments on tour due to him being at College in Southern California, was a top ten ITF Junior player and won both the French Open and US Open Junior Doubles titles in 2010. A tough challenge for Greg.


Greg playing in Manta

Serving first it was a slow start for Greg, who could not find many first serves but managed to get to 2-2 against Quiroz, who was serving well. Then Greg lost concentration and was facing three break-points at 0-40. He re-focused, hit five unreturnable first serves and managed to squeak out of that game, the score progressing to 4-3. Greg then brought up his first break-point opportunity against Quiroz and converted to lead 5-3 and serve for the set. Quiroz hit back, breaking Greg to get back on serve at 5-4. But Greg was determined and broke straight back again, on his 2nd set point, to win the first set 6-4.

USC player Roberto Quiroz

With the first set under wraps Greg relaxed and served very well in the 2nd set, as did Quiroz. Greg lost only two points on his serve in the set, games going with serve to 4-4. Greg held to love for 5-4, then set about breaking Quiroz, making Quiroz play a lot of shots and pegging him back to deuce. Greg then brought up match point, converting to win the set 6-4, and the match 6-4, 6-4.
A nervous start for Greg in that match but once he shook the nerves he served well to take control of the match and advance to the quarter-final round.
He was joined in the QF round by his travel mate and doubles partner Greg Ouellette who provided an upset in beating the 7th seed Canadian Peter Polansky in three sets.

Grass Season - Manta on Hard #2

In the first round of the singles in the Manta Challenger in Ecuador, with the cut for the entry at a low 414, Greg did not get the best of draws, up against the No. 5 seed 31 year-old Brazilian Thiago Alves, currently ranked 202, with a high ranking of 88 in July 2009. Ostensibly a clay court player, five foot ten Alves is most probably the best of the seeds for Greg to play, and will be an opportunity for Greg to knock off.

View from Greg's Hotel

Serving first Greg held easily and then at 2-1 up brought up break points three times before converting to lead 3-1, consolidating to go 4-1 up. Thiago wasnot done and hit back, holding serve and then breaking Greg to love in the seventh game to get back on serve at 3-4. Greg reponded and immediately had Thiago facing break-points at 15-40. Greg converted to lead 5-3 and then served out the set 6-3.

Greg playing at Manta

Greg was straight into Alves' serve in the second set, forcing him to face break points at 15-40 in the first service game. Alves was up to the task winning the next four points to deny Greg and hold serve, games going with serve to 2-2, despite Greg serving at below 50%. Greg then upped the ante, returning well and serving well, breaking Alvesto lead 3-2, then 4-2. He repeated the dose to again break Alves to go to 5-2, winning five games in a row to win the set 6-2, and the match 6-3, 6-2.

Brazilian Thiago Alves

A competent display by Greg, whose serve stats were ok and his return game was good, to advance to the second round.
The web-site, translated from Spanish, had this to say about the game, "The surprise of the day was the Australian Greg Jones (314 ATP) who managed it to overcome in two sets 6-3, 6-2  Brazil's Thiago Alves (202), fifth seed. Alves,the winner of this tournament in 2005 and 2006, now falls in the initial round. Jones based his game on serve and volley, trying to keep at the back of the Court his rival and take his first service, reaching 8 aces and 3 double faults."

Grass Season - Manta on Hard #1

Greg's first assignment in the Manta Challenger tournament in Ecuador was the doubles, partnering with his travel mate and good friend Greg Ouellette. They were up against the No.4 seeds, Colombians 24 year-old Alejandro Gonzalez and 30 year-old Carlos Salamanca, currently ranked 280 and 361 respectively and both with much higher singles rankings. A challenge for the "Greg's" and a very winnable match.
With Jonesie serving first it was the "Gregs" who got the early break to lead 3-1, then 4-1. The Colombians hit back winning 3 games in a row and breaking back to level the score at 4-4. The "Gregs" stopped that streak and took the score to 6-5. They put the pressure on the Colombians and broke them to win the set 7-5.

Alejandro Gonzalez

The first three games of the second set all went to sudden-death deuce but this time it was the Colombian who had the luck, winning all three games, breaking the "Gregs" twice to lead 3-0. The "Gregs" broke back to get to 3-1, then held serve for 3-2. The Colombians then saved another break-point in denying the "Gregs" drawing level to go 4-2, then 5-2 up. They then broke the "Gregs" again, this time on Ouellette's serve to win the second set 6-2, and take the match into the match tie-break (first to 10).

Veteran Carlos Salamanca

The Colombians held serve and then were the first to get a mini-break, but the "Gregs" broke back immediately and then crafted a mini-break of theire own to lead 4-3. Unfortunately Jonesie double faulted and handed the break back, points going with serve to 7-8, in favour of the Colombians. The "Gregs" lost the next point on their serve to give the Colombians two match point at 7-9. Jonesie saved one point on his serve to trail 8-9 and then they again denied the Colombians, this time on the Colombians serve, to level at 9-9. The Colombians held serve to bring up their 3rd match point, but on Greg Ouellettes serve but this time the "Gregs" could not deny the Colombians, dropping the point to lose the tie-break 11-9.
Another oh-so-close result, this time against Greg.
Greg said they had played well but small things win close matches and the three sudden-death deuce games which went the Colombians way at the beginning of the second set turned the tide of the match and although the "Gregs" had fought hard, they could not take their chances and ended up on the wrong side of the score-line.
Earlier in the day Greg Ouellette won his first round singles match, while Greg is only scheduled to play tomorrow. 

Grass Season - s'-Hertogenbosch #2

In the second round of qualifying in the "Topshelf" tournament in s'-Hergotenbosch Greg was up against French rising star, 19 year-old Lucas Pouille, currently ranked 261, who had excelled at the French Open, winning his first round after receiving a wild card. But that was on clay and this was a grass court tournament, so he would be making the switch of surfaces with not much practice.
Greg took advantage of Pouille's lack of grass court practise and broke the Frenchman early to lead 3-1. Greg then served well, facing no break-points against him in the first set. At 5-3 he had a break-point opportunity to win the set but Pouille held his nerve and his serve to take the score to 5-4 and force Greg to serve for the set. This Greg did, winning the set 6-4.

The Centre Court

With Pouille serving first Greg again broke early to lead 2-1. However this time Pouille hit back immediately and had Greg at 0-30. Greg recovered to level at 30-30 but was unable to stop Pouille from breaking back to level at 2-2. Greg fought back, having two brerak-points in the next game but he was unable to convert, Pouille holding serve to lead 3-2. Games then went with serve to 6-6 and the tie-break. Pouille got an immediate lead in the tie-break to lead 2-0, then 4-2 and 5-3. Greg brok back to get back on serve at 5-4 but then lost his next serve, allowing Pouille to bring up set-point and win the tie-break 7-4, to level the match at 1 set all.

French youngster Lucas Pouille

Pouille now had his grass feet, Greg's serve had lost it's zing and Pouille was returning well. Greg said he played well but he was unable to make in-roads into Pouille's serve in the third set. Inevitably Pouille broke Greg to lead lead 3-1, then 4-1. At 4-2, Greg got Pouille to deuce but could not break the Frenchman who held for 5-2. He then put the pressure on Greg to stay in the match and brought up match-point on Greg's serve, converting the break-point to win the set 6-2, and a close match 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Greg in Cascais, Portugal

Greg was disappointed but said he had served and played well and had matched Pouille, but Pouille had won the critical points. Pouille qualified, losing to Jeremy Chardy in the first round.
Greg did not make the cut for Wimbledon qualifying, so had a short six-day break in London and Cascais, Portugal with his parents. He then went back to Florida to train for a week before travelling to Manta, in Ecuador, for a Challenger tournament on hard court.

Grass Season - s'-Hertogenbosch #1



s'-Hertogenbosch Tournament

 After Halle Greg travelled to Holland for the qualifying of the s'-Hertogenbosch ATP250 grass tournament, he and Greg Oulette getting a lift with Jan Hernych, who beat Greg in the final round of qualifying at Halle and then proceeded to get to the third round. His first round opponent was 30 year-old Czech Lucas Dlouhy, who now concentrated mainly on the doubles tour and thus had no singles ranking, but had a high ranking of 73 in 2006 and has a current doubles ranking of 45 with a high of 5. They had played each other once before about four years ago in the Australian Open qualifying and Dlouhy had triumphed in three sets. 

Lukas Dlouhy

Greg dominated the first set, breaking Dlouhy to go 3-1 up and then skipped away to win the first set 6-1, serving well and facing no break points, whilst forcing Dlouhy to face 5 break-points and converting twice.

Serving first in the second set, Dlouhy picked up his game, and games went with serve to 3-3. Greg then had Dlouhy at 15-40 but Dlouhy saved both break-point opportunities and held serve to get to 4-3 up. Greg was serving well and again did not face a break-point opportunity and games went to the tie-break at 6-6.

In the tie-break Greg got an early break and then continued on, holding serve and then breaking Dlouhy again to win the tie-break 7-3 and progress to the second round with a 6-1, 7-6 win.