Aussie Summer 2015-16 #5

The second round of the Toyota Challenger saw Greg up against one of the local Japanese players, 26 year old Sho Katayama, who Greg had last played in the final of a Group 2 ITF Junior tournament in Thailand nine years ago. On that occasion, in a match which Greg says the score-line did not reflect the play, Greg gave poor Sho a touch-up, winning the title 6-0, 6-0. Currently ranked 970 I'm sure it will be a different story this time around, although I am sure Greg will be the favourite against the wild card recipient.
Serving first Greg had an extremely poor first serve percentage at the start of the match but however, did well enough with the second serve to hold, against Katayama, the who by comparison was serving in the 67% region and holding serve with ease. Games went to 5-5, with Greg unable to make any roads into Katayama's serve. Katayama then forced Greg to save two break points at 15-40, which he did. Then Katayama hit another superb lob as Greg approached the net, to bring up another break point. He then absolutely teed off a good first of Greg, hitting an amazing cross-court back-hand winner, which Greg had no chance of getting, to break Greg and serve for the set at 6-5. Greg forced him to deuce but Katayama was able to hold to win the first set 7-5.
The second set followed much the same pattern, Greg starting poorly again on serve but quickly improving through the games. Then at 3-2 up Greg had a medical time our to get his left leg taped by the physio. He had not appeared to have a problem, but thereafter dis struggle to move towards his left side. Nonetheless he continued, improving his serving and his shit making as the set progressed.
In one game he hit a clean forehand winner, two aces and a neat little drop shot to wrap up the game in under a minute. Unfortunately he could not do that every game. At 3-3 Greg was forced to save a two break points. Then at 4-3 Greg up a mammoth game ensued with Greg having Katayama also save two break points, with 5 deuces in the game, but Greg was unable to break. Games then went with serve to the tie-break.
In the tie-break, Katayama broke Greg 1st point and then went out to a 3-0 lead. Greg was unable to break back, and Katayama broke again, getting to 6-3 up, serving for the match with 3 match points. Greg played two great points to win both of Katayama's serves and take the score to 6-5. On his won serve he played a perfect point, taking Katayama out wide and having an easy volley into an open court covered, only to see the ball clip the net tape and bounce over his racket. A cruel end to the match, with Katayama eventually getting his revenge on Greg, winning a close match 7-5, 7-6(5).
Greg said that his knee was ok, and that being the last major tournament of the year for him should not be a problem. He thought he had played well overall but was not helped by getting free points off his 1st serve, which was not firing at times. He was annoyed that he had got though a difficult first round only to go down to a lesser ranked opposition in the second round, but such is tennis and something he must work on eliminating from his tennis. He will return to Melbourne and represent Kooyong Tennis Club in the Australian Tennis League and then work on his game, serve, fitness and movement to prepare for next year, of course hoping to stay injury free.