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.