Japan 2014 - Toyota Challenger #2

The indoor courts at Toyota

In the first round of the doubles in Toyota, Greg and partner James Duckworth were up against the No. 1 seeds, the Kiwi Davis Cup pairing of 25 year old Marcus Daniell and 28 year old Russian born Artem Sitak. Daniell and Sitak have had recent success in the doubles game, their concentration on doubles helping them to be ranked 108 and 66 respectively in the doubles.

Greg at back and James holding
trophy in the Shore Tennis Team 2004

Greg and James have not had the opportunity to play together for awhile, but the ex-school mates from Shore School in Sydney, have been doubles finalists previously.
The Kiwi pair started strongly, serving at 100% early on, holding well and getting an early break on the Aussies. James was struggling to find his range on his first serve and with their opponents still dictating on serve, the Aussie pair were unable to break back. The Kiwis broke again to win the first set 6-2.

Daniell and Sitak on NZ Davis Cup
duty

The second set was literally a repeat  of the first set. James was unable to find a first serve and the Kiwis shut out Greg and James by serving at close to an unbelievable 90%. They again broke the Aussie twice, also returning well, and going to a 4-0 lead, eventually winning a comfortable match 6-2, 6-2.
It was a tale of the serve, with the No.1 seeds serving unbelievably well, shutting out James and Greg, and James rarely hitting his first serve, putting pressure on the Aussies to hold.
Not the best way for Greg to end the tour year, a forgettable year beset with injuries.
Roll on 2015.