Aussie Summer 2015-16 #1

It was about seven weeks ago that a disconsolate Greg returned to Melbourne from the USA, struggling with an inflamed right elbow and his continuing struggle with other ailments. He convalesced for a few weeks, allowing his body even more time to repair, then commenced with a slow build-up of training and fitness. He had planned to play a Futures tournament last well but decided to defer on the side of caution, as he was suffering from a bad cold, which had hindered his preparation. Now was the time to test his body, his fitness and his game in real match conditions. So off to Traralgon, 150km east of Melbourne, he went for this week's Challenger tournament, with no great expectations.
The "draw gods" were not kind to Greg and on a cool windy morning, typical weather for Traralgon, he faced up against the No. 2 seed, fellow Sydneysider Jordan Thomspon, currently at a ranking high of 164. Thompson was a finalist in the previous Challenger he had played in in Asia, so was in good form. A stern test for Greg in his first match back indeed.
Serving first, a bit rusty after little match practise this year, Greg was immediately under pressure to hold serve, but he did just enough to hold. He was unable to make any inroads into Thompson's serve, games going with serve to 4-4. Greg then wavered a bit, two wayward forehands presenting Thompson the opportunity to break, which he did, going ahead 5-4 and serving for the set. At 40-15 up it looked like Thompson's set but two good returns saw Greg save the set point and level at deuce, then break, to square the set at 5-5.

Jordan Thompson

Both players held serve to get to 6-6 and the tie-break. Greg had some early opportunities but two shots hitting the tale denied him the lead and it was Thompson who went ahead, leading 5-2. Greg held his serve to close the gap to 5-4. Thompson had set point on his serve at 6-4 but Greg fought back, breaking and holding serve to swap ends at 6-6. Both players then each had set points as the serves alternated. Greg needed some luck to snatch the set but had none, and it was Thompson who got the decisive break to win the tie-break 15-13 and snare the first set 7-6.
Having lost such a long and close set Greg started assessing how his body was handling the intensity and demands on his first match back. His previous long three set match, which he lost 7-6 at the death, and switch saw him out of tennis for a further two was foremost in his mind. And whilst he was distracted Thompson was straight into winning the second set, holding serve, breaking Greg and holding again to lead 3-0. Greg rallied to hold for 3-1 but Thompson had the momentum and confidently held serve, then breaking Greg again before serving out the set 6-1.
Greg was not happy about losing the set but was buoyed by his performance in the first set, having stayed with a player in form and almost winning the set, but for some luck. He was wary of pushing himself too hard in the second set after the rigours of the first set and Thompson was able to capitalise, get on a roll and run away with the second set.
Greg said his body, whilst a bit stiff and tired, seems to be ok, but wanted to give it a few days before judging if all was ok to push harder with his training. He is, at this stage, planning to play in next week's Challenger tournament in Canberra.