Back in Oz - Traralgon Challenger 1 #7

Back in windy Traralgon for the second $50k Challenger tournament, Greg was in the Main Draw of the singles this week, courtesy of his Protected Ranking of 317. A lot better than having to expend energy in the qualifying rounds, which were predictably delayed due to persistent rain, not to mentioned the wind. In fact the whole of last week's tournament was delayed, with the finals scheduled for Sunday only being played on Monday.
The draw gods were not too kind to Greg, delivering up a formidable opponent in the form of rising Australian star teenager 18 year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis. Kokkinakis is on a similar trajectory t the tp 100 as Nick Kourios, having been a finalist at both the Junior Australian Open and Junior US Open, recently beating top-100 ranked Marinko Matosevic and qualifying for an ATP tour event, to get his current ATP ranking to a high of 158. A tough match for Greg but one of opportunity to which Greg must rise.

Traralgon Tennis Complex

Serving first Greg held serve then immediately had a break chance on Kokkinakis' serve. But Kokkinakis held and then reversed the tables on Greg, breaking him to lead 2-1, then 3-1. Greg tried to fight back but Kokkinakis held firm, getting to 5-4 up and serving for the set. At 40-0 that looked a certainty but Greg saved 6 set points before bringing up a break point opportunity. But luck was not on his side and Kokkinakis saved, and then on the seventh set point held serve to pouch the first set 6-4.
Greg, struggling to get momentum, was immediately in trouble in the second set, saving two break pints before dropping his first serve to trail 0-1, the 0-2, when Kokkinakis held serve. Greg responded though, holding serve for 1-2, then getting Kokkinakis to 0-40, breaking his serve on the second opportunity to level at 2-2, then hold serve for 3-2. On a roll now Greg broke Kokkinakis again to lead 4-2, then 5-2. He then broke Kokkinakis for the 3rd straight game, amazingly rolling off six games in a row, to win the second set 6-2, and level the match a one set all.

Teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis

Greg continued in the third set, winning his seventh straight game to lead 1-0. Kokkinakis rallied and held serve, games going to 2-2 on serve. Greg then, in a critical long deuce game, had four game points but could not serve out the game, eventually saving one break point before Kokkinakis broke him to take the initiative in the third set and lead 3-2. Greg wrested it back, immediatley nreaking Kokkinakis to level at 3-3. But in a see-sawing third set a disappointed Greg dropped serve again to trail 3-4. Kokkinakis now had the bit between his teeth with the finish in sight and went 5-3 up. He then brought up two match points on Greg's serve, converting the break to win the third set 6-3 and the match 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
Greg was frustrated at fading at the end of the match and not getting the job done when so close, but said he had bit the ball well and was buoyed by his overall performance against I good opponent. He had not played the clutch points as well as Kokkinakis and suffered for not being able to the chances he created.
Greg is not playing the double, so will return to Melbourne to train and work on a few things in his game before heading for Japan for two more Challenger tournaments.