Australian Summer 2014 - AO Qualifying #1

After not playing a tennis match for almost three months, Greg was primed to go, if not in the best shape due to his spate of injuries, for the first round of the Qualifying Tournament for the Australian Open 2014. Having recovered from the bulging disc in his back, then the dislocation of his right knee, he suffered an injury to his right shoulder rotator cuff, which has proved to be the most troublesome. He lost a lot of his fitness due to the back injury, then his knee injury and, the start of his training block was severely delayed, then hampered by his shoulder injury. He only recommenced serving   on the last weekend and then could only serve first serves, his second serve action causing him pain on each serve. Yet he was playing his ground shots well and was confident of performing well, and winning his first match, but was a bit underdone in terms of fitness and match practise. Just a question about how his serve would go, about how his shoulder would hold up.

Greg in practise

His first round opponent was the No.22 seed, 33 year-old German Michael Berrer. Currently ranked 132, Berrer is a former top 100 player with a high rank of 33 in April 2014. Greg was keen to compete, despite his serving limitations.
Serving first Greg was quick out of the blocks, serving four out of five 1st serves, and winning the game to lead 1-0. Berrer held for 1-1 then broke Greg, whose second serves we're coming through at between 106 to 125 km/hr. Greg hit back immediately, returning well to break Berrer and level the score at 2-2. In a long deuce game Greg again dropped his serve but then again broke Berrer to level the score at 4-4. Both players held to get to 5-5, then Greg was unable to serve enough first serves to prevent Berrer getting a decisive break, to lead 6-5. Greg forced Berrer to deuce but was unable to stop Berrer serving out the set 7-5.

Greg serving in the match

Greg did not start the second set well, dropping serve and trailing 0-2 early in the set. But he improved his first serve percentage and returning extremely well, breaking back and holding serve on the back of a few aces. Greg forced Berrer to save a break point in getting to 5-4 up. He then had Berrer facing three set points at 0-40 but the 6'4" Berrer responded with some good serves,  to get to 5-5. Greg held to lead 6-5 and put the pressure on Berrer to hold again. In a marathon 15 minute game Berrer saved 6 break points and Greg saved 6 game points in a 12 deuce game before Greg converted his 10th set point to win the game and the second set 7-5. One set all.

A hard fought match ends

Serving first again in the 3rd set, Greg held serve and then broke Berrer to lead 2-0. A real chance for the win now, but the effort and length of the first two sets was showing on an underprepared Greg. Berrer was able to keep the pressure on Greg and broke back, and then held serve to level the score at 2-2. Greg's lack of a second serve was seriously affecting his game and Berrer broke Greg again, going on to lead 4-2. Greg tried to fight back but Berrer held firm, breaking Greg again to serve for the match at 5-2. Greg saved match point to get to deuce but was unable to save the next match point, Berrer winning the set 6-2, and a lengthy match 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.
Greg was bitterly disappointed but buoyed by his performance given that he could not serve at his best, especially his second serve. He had performed better than Berrer off the baseline and around the court but was not able to hold his serve consistently. He also lacked the fitness required to compete a long hard match due to his limited ability to train due to his injuries.
Greg will now seek more medical advice and treatment for the troublesome shoulder.