Japan 2014 - Toyota Challenger #1

In Toyota, for the second of the end of year Japanese Challenger tournaments, Greg had dodged a seed in the draw but still faced a stiff test in the form of 22 year old Japanese Yasutaka Uchiyama, currently ranked 265, with a high of 240 in July this year. On the slick indoor surface at Toyota, which Greg considers the fastest on the tour, the Japanese players are vastly more experienced and revel on the surface.

Greg tucking in at Welcome function

Both players started well in the first set and each faced a break point opportunity early in the set but neither was able to capitalise and they held serve. With Uchiyama serving first, games then went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6, Uchiyama just holding serve slightly easier than Greg.


Greg indoors at Toyota

In the tie-break, it was Uchiyama who got the first break, going 2-0 up but Greg hit back, breaking Uchiyama twice and winning five points in a row to go 5-2 up, Uchiyama to serve. Luck was not on Greg's side though and he was  unable to break Uchiyama again, then got broken for Uchiyama to level at 5-5. Greg held to bring up set point on Uchiyama's serve. Uchiyama was able to save that point, then held serve again to lead 7-6, with a set point to him. He then was able to break Greg, winning the tie-break 8-6, and snaring the first set 7-6.

Japanese Yasutaka Uchiyama

With the set under his belt and Greg serving first in the second set, Uchiyama attacked, breaking Greg to 15 in the first game, then serving four aces in the next games to go to a 2-0 lead. Greg consolidated at 2-1 but Uchiyama was now a set and a break up and able to play a more relaxed game, serving at over 75% on the slick courts to deny Greg any opportunity of breaking back. He went 4-2 up then again broke Greg, even though Greg was still serving well, to go 5-2 up and serve for the set. Greg was unable to stop Uchiyama winning the set 6-2 and a fast paced match 7-6(6), 6-2.
Greg said he had played well but had no luck when it was needed on break points or in the tiebreaker. Uchiyama had got the break in the first game of the second set when Greg was still wondering how he had lost the first set, and was then able to dictate, serving well to keep Greg at bay.
Greg is scheduled to play his first round doubles match later on the evening, partnered by fellow Aussie and good mate James Duckworth.