Back in the Saddle - USA Futures #4

This week Greg was still in Los Angeles to play in the Costa Mesa Pro Classic $10k Futures event. He was in the Main Draw and had a tough first round assignment, up against Russian born American, 20 year-old Dennis Novikov. Novikov is one of the many up-and-coming young USA players, and having won two Futures titles this year, is currently ranked near his best ranking at 452. Novikov was not entered in the event and had come through qualifying, winning four matches for the right to play in the main event, so will be quite used to the court conditions. The No. 5 seed will be a challenge for Greg in the first round.
The first set was a tight affair. Greg had break point opportunity but could not convert. Despite serving 6 aces in the first set, Greg faced three break-points on his own serve, saving two but was unable to hold, going down a break. Novikov served out the second, winning it 6-4.

Dennis Novikov

In the second set games went with serve to 4-4. Greg then went 0-30 down but recovered to hold and go 5-4 up. He then forced Novikov to 15-40 and had two break points to win the set. Novikov responded and the chance was gone, as Novikov levelled at 5-5. Greg was struggling with the old balls, with balls changes less often in the Futures tournaments, who knows why. He again recovered from 0-30 down to hold serve and go 6-5. Novikov then held as well taking the game to the tie-break.
In the tie-break, similar to Greg's previous two service games, Novikov got the early break and Greg was unable to break back, Novikov breaking again to win the tie-break 7-2 and a close hard fought match 6-4, 7-6(2).

Disappointing for Greg, but he served his first serve well, getting much reward when the balls were fresh, serving 8 aces but not the result he wanted. Novikov seized the moment and went on to the final, beating Australian Matt Reid in a triple tie-break match, eventually losing to Jarmere Jenkins.

In the doubles Greg teamed up with mate Carsten Ball, who made a rare appearance on the tour, and they combined to win their first round 6-3, 6-2. In the second round they served 13 aces but still came out on the wrong side of the score-line, going down to USA's MCdonal & Redlicki 3-6, 6-7(4). Greg and Carsten had their chance in the tie-break servingat 4-3 but then lost their serves and four point on the trot to lose the tie-break 4-7.