Japan 2014 - Yokohama #1

Yokohama city skyline

The Asia Pacific part of the ATP Challenger tour moved on from Australia to Japan for the final two tournaments of the year, the first a $50k event in Yokohama, on outdoor hard court. Greg was originally only 3rd alternate, using his protected ranking of 317, but moved well into the main draw after a number of withdrawals in the week proceeding the event, thus avoiding the need to play in qualifying. For his first round match he received a modicum of luck when his proposed opponent, Japan's Uchiyama, ranked 264, was forced to withdraw with an ankle complaint, and was replaced by a "Lucky Loser" who had lost in the final round of qualifying. Greg's replacement opponent was 24 year-old Korean Cheong-Eui Kim, currently near his high ranking, at 410 this week.

Korean Cheong-Eui Kim

First match on, on a cool, overcast and slightly drizzly day, Greg found the early going tough, slow to adjust to the speed of the courts and Kim's game style, but still did manage to get an early break up, leading 3-1. He then had break points to go a double break-up but some careless unforced errors allowed Kim to hold serve and then break Greg, getting the score to 4-4. Kim held to lead 5-4 and then twice had break points on Greg's serve to potentially win the set. But Greg dug deep and saved the break points and held serve to level at 5-5. Then with Kim leading at 6-5, and Greg having to serve to stay in the set, the drizzle intensified and Greg took the opportunity to halt play, and all games were then suspended whilst the rain cleared.

Greg serving in Yokohama

Greg used the time to assess the situation, review the match and clear his head. After about a twenty minute break it was back on court for the players. Greg cleared the first hurdle by holding his serve to take the first set to the tie-break at 6-6, then set about winning the tie-break. He broke Kim's first serve, confidently held his own serve, then broke Kim twice more to lead 5-0, then 6-0. Kim got a point back before Greg converted his second set point to win the tie-break 7-1 and win the first set 7-6.

Greg gets in to volley

Serving first in the second set, Greg was in the groove, holding serve then forcing Kim to deuce and bringing up a break-point, converting the opportunity to go 2-0 up. Greg held to love, then again forced Kim to deuce and then break-point. This time Kim saved three break-points before a dogged Greg fashioned a fourth opportunity and converted this time, to take a decisive 4-0 double-break lead. Greg then threatened to immediately hand a break back, allowing Kim to get to 0-30, but he rallied, winning the next four points to go 5-0 up. Then after Kim got on the board, Greg served out the match to win the second set 6-1, and the match 7-6(1), 6-1.

Kim waiting to return

A good result for Greg but he will need to improve his focus in the start of the match, as he had in the matches in Toowoomba. Greg served well, at 70% in the second set, converting a high percentage of them, and using his big serve to get into the net to volley, putting the pressure on his opponent.
Greg will play his second round singles match tomorrow, as well as a first round doubles match, teamed up with young Aussie Jordan Thompson.