Back in the saddle - 22 Aug 2014

 It was a frustrating wait for the second round of the Futures tournament in Winnipeg for Greg, as, third match on, the second matches went to three sets and then the rain came, preventing any more play on Thursday, and pushing the matches back to Friday. This meant that should he win the match, Greg would have to back up for a second match on the same day, showing the folly of starting the tournament proper only on Tuesday. The the forecast for more showers, it was an early start for Greg, up against 25 year-old Canadian Phil Bester, currently ranked 604. It was a match Greg would have been favoured to win, back before his shoulder injury, so it would be interesting to see how he went. although Bester was playing well, having knocked off the No.6 seed in the first round.

View from Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club

Games went to 4-3 on serve in Greg's favour when a bad-line call seemed to distract Bester, and Greg was able to capitalise, getting Bester to 15-40 and converting to get a vital break of serve, to lead 5-3. Greg served out set, reeling off 5 games in a row, to win the set 6-3 and lead 2-0 in the second set, breaking Bester again in the first game of the set. He then had a very annoyed Bester at 15-40 again, with a chance to take a stranglehold on the match. Bester then just teed-off on his shots and they went in, getting back to deuce and levelling at 2-2, gaining in confidence with the crowd support behind him. The momentum changed and Greg was unable to counter, Bester getting back on a roll and breaking Greg again to pouch the second set 6-3.
 

Courts close together, no division

Greg's lack of match fitness was starting to play a part, and he went an early break down. He was unable to counter and Bester went on to take a strangehold on the match, breaking Greg again to win the set 6-2 and a topsy turvy match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Greg said another factor in the match was that the courts had no separation between them and play was continually disprupted with balls going on the other court, or having to re-play points when their play was stopped. It was exacerbated with the fact that their were no ball boys. In addition, on the adjoining court, the girls match became a screaming affair, with Alendra Stephenson (who should know better) screaming at the umpire, with her mother joining in as well. Greg eventually had to tell them to shut-up, in more harsh terms, which got a hearty cheer from the crowd. The Futures circus Greg will have to get used to as he battles his way back to the Challengers and beyond.

Canadian Phil Bester

A disappointing result for Greg but he said he was pleased with his game, the first set had been a good standard of tennis for both players. His shoulder had come through a rigorous match well, with no pain. The only negative factors were stiffness in his left side, from the serving, which his body was not used to and overall match fitness, with the stress produced from the match contributing to his body tightening up in the latter stages of the match.
Greg will return to California to continue training for a week, then play some more Futures tournaments in Canada and California.
Bester played the third round that afternoon and knocked off the No. 3 seed to reach the semi-finals.