Australasian Spring - Kuala Lumpur #2

Waiting for Greg in the second round of qualifying was the No.1 seed ,35 year-old American Michael Russell, currently ranked 97 with a high ranking of 60 achieved in 2007. In a rematch of their final in Manta, Greg's resolve will again be tested against a very consistent baseline player who wears his opponent down with unerring accuracy, relying on creating errors rather than hitting outright winners.

Michael Russell serving

Russell served first and both players held serve confidently. Then at 2-1 Russell forced Greg to 15-40. Greg responded and saved those points but could not get to game point, saving another three break points before Russell managed to break Greg and lead 3-1. Greg hit back immediately in the next game, Russell having to save two break points to get to deuce but then being unable to save again, Greg breaking him to get to 2-3, then holding for 3-3. Russell held to love then brought up set point on another breakpoint on Greg's serve. Greg saved and brought up game point, but Russell was not to be denied and broke Greg, to lead 5-3. He then served out the set to win the set 6-3.

Greg plays a fore-hand

Greg started the second set serving at 20% but still managed to hold before he surprisingly broke Russell to lead 2-0. Improving his serve percentage all set Greg held for 3-0, then applied pressure on Russell, breaking him again to lead 4-0, with a double break. Two aces in the next game saw Greg progress to 5-0. Greg would have loved to break Russell again to seal the set and serve first in the third set but Russell held for 5-1. He then got Greg to 0-40 and broke Greg, to peg back one service break and get to 5-2. Greg again responded and broke Russell again to win the set 6-2 and level the match at one set all.

Russell showing the pressure

As in the final in Manta this match was going all the way again, this time with Greg serving first. He started well but at 30-15 in the first game missed a mid court put-a-way off fore-hand shot which instead of going for a winner, hit the top of the net and Russell pounced to win the point. 30-30 instead of 40-15. He then broke Greg to lead 1-0. Greg fought back in the next game, bringing up two separate break points but Russell saved both and held serve for 2-0. Greg held for 2-1 then forced Russell to 0-40, breaking on the second opportunity to level the score at 2-2.

Russell at full stretch

Unfortunately the next game was a mirror of that game and Russell broke Greg to love, to again take the ascendency to lead 3-2 with a break advantage. Greg bounced back immediately and broke Russell again to level at 3-3, games then going to 4-4. Russell then brought up breakpoint on Greg's serve. Greg saved to get to deuce, then his advantage, but could not close out the game, Russell again breaking Greg to lead 5-4 and serve for the match. Greg was not done, getting Russell to 0-40 and three chances to break back. Russell responded saving all three points with some good serving and then brought up match point, and after a long rally won the set 6-4 and a long hard fought match 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. More disappointment for Greg, in another close match against a top 100 player, having opportunities to go on and win the match. He had not served to the best of his ability and had made errors at critical times, to take the pressure off Russell and allow him to sneak away with the win.
Greg will now return to Melbourne for a couple of weeks training before playing the Australian circuit in October.