Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #5

It was a very strong and gusty wind that was causing havoc with the tennis early afternoon in Canberra, as Greg took to court for the quarter-final round of the singles. He was up against another promising young Aussie teenager, 19 year-old Omar Jasika, ranked 390, off his impressive high ranking of 256 achieved last year. Jasika, who is also the winner of the US Open juniors title, struggled to find form in the early part of this year, but has recently achieved some good results, so is currently in good form and will be a real test for Greg, in his fifth match this week.

Omar Jasika - US Open Junior Champion

Both player's struggled to adapt to the gusty wind conditions initially and with Jasika serving first, Greg soon had Jasika in trouble, facing two break points in the first game. But Greg was unable to capitalise and Jasika held serve. He then had Greg facing three break points at 0-40. Greg responded and got back to deuce but Jasika kept the pressure on and broke Greg to lead 2-0. Greg tried to hit straight back but Jasika saved another break point in his second service game to get to a handy 3-0 lead. Greg held serve to get on the board and tried to break Jasika, but Jasika was up to the task, holding his serve to win the first set 6-3.


Omar Jasika in action at Canberra

Serving first in the second set, in the stiff wind, Greg was again under early pressure and Jasika broke Greg, then held serve to lead 2-0. Greg then did not serve a good game and Jasika took advantage, breaking him again to take a decisive lead in the match, to lead 3-0, then 4-0. Greg recovered some ground to get to 1-4, then took the attack to Jasika in an attenpt to get a break back but Jasika had the momentum and was able to hold, to force Greg to stay in the match. He brought up match points on Greg's serve. Greg saved the first but could not stop Jasika from winning the second set 6-1, and the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.A match too far for Greg, this fifth one. He was bitterly disappointed. He said the wind had been a factor and Jasika had played well, whilst it was not Greg's best performance. Still a good week for Greg, who won four matches, including a testing come-from behind qualifying match and two main draw matches against quality opponents, playing some of his best tennis in the second round.
Unfortunately due to the Friday match he will be unable to travel to Japan for the qualifying of the Kobe Challenger, so has elected to have a week off tennis to recover, and train, for the following week's tennis.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #4

Having won three matches in a row for the first time in a long time, could Greg stretch that run to four? Playing in the second round of the Canberra Challenger, he was up against up and coming Aussie teenager, 18 year-old Max Purcell, from Sydney's Northern Beaches area, already ranked 360, near his high ranking of 355 achieved recently. Greg and Purcell have trained together in the past, when Greg was at Homebush on a rare occasion, so it will be an difficult but interesting clash.
Greg served first and both players opened confidently to get to 2-2, with Greg having slightly better of the play. Then Purcell brought up two break point opportunities on Greg's serve, but Greg responded, getting back to deuce and then holding serve. Purcell held for 3-3, then with the momentum in his favour again brought up break-point opportunity on Greg's serve. And again Greg was able to save the point and get to 4-3 up. He then forced Purcell to 0-40, to have three break point opportunities. Purcell saved the first but Greg won the next point to break Purcell and go 5-3 up, with a chance to serve for the set, which he did, winning the set 6-3.

 Max Purcell

With Purcell now serving first in the second set, Greg was playing catch-up. Purcell had also picked up his serve percentage, to match Greg's good serving at around 65-70%, and serve dominated the early part of the set, games going with serve to 2-2. Greg then had a break point opportunity but was denied by Purcell. Then at 4-3 it was Purcell's turn to have Greg under pressure and facing break-point, but he too was up to the task and saved to level at 4-4. Greg served to stay in the set at 4-5 and 5-6 but did so confidently, taking the set to the tie-break at 6-6.

Greg sends down a serve

With both players serving a high percentage of first serves, Purcell got the early mini-break for a 2-0 lead. Greg pegged him back to 2-2, then got another mini-break to go 3-2 up on his serve, changing ends at 4-2 and then holding serve again for a 5-2 lead, Purcell to serve. Greg gained another mini-break to have four match points at 6-2. Purcell saved the first match point to get to 3-6, but now it was on Greg's serve. Greg converted on his next serve to win the tie-breal 7-3, and the match 6-3, 7-6, and advance to the quarter-final round.

So a run of four wins for Greg, some valuable ranking points and hopefully a confidence boost for the next matches and tournaments to be played. Greg said it was the best he had played all week and he was very pleased with his performance. Hopefully his body is all ok after all the tennis played, and thankfully he opted not to play doubles this week, to conserve himself, and will also most probably have a rest day tomorrow before tackling the quarter-final round on Friday.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #3

After a days break it was back to work for Greg in the first round of the Canberra Challenger tournament, this time with luck on his side in the draw. Greg had drawn the No.2 seed 97th ranked Yoshihito Nishioka, but unfortunately Nishioka was struggling with illness and was forced to withdraw. A bit of luck for Greg, who still had a battle on his hands, up against the "lucky loser" replacement for Nishioka, fellow Aussie 23 year-old South Australian Darren Polkinghorne. Currently ranked 1042, Polkinghorne's consistent game will test Greg's resolve.
Serving first, six first served by Greg set the tone for the set, games going with serve to 2-1. Greg then for Polkinghorne back to deuce, then brought up break point, converting to go 3-1. He held serve confidently to get to 4-1, then broke Polkinghorne again to take a stranglehold on the set at 5-1. He served out the set well to win it 6-2.
Polkinghorne served first in the second set and Greg was quick to put the pressure on, bringing Polkinghorne back to deuce once again, the breaking him again to take a handy 1-0, then 2-0 lead in the set. With Greg serving at a high percentage, games went to 4-2, then Greg again broke Polkinghorne to take a decisive 5-2 lead, and have a chance to serve for the set. But Polkinghorne upper his game, and with Greg suddenly struggling to find a first set, forced Greg to face three break points at 0-40. Greg saved one point but could not stop Polkinghorne breaking, to get to 3-5, still a break down. Greg to forced Polkinghorne to deuce again but this time Polkinghorne held firm and won his serve too get close to Greg at 4-5. Greg served for the set again but again Polkinghorne's determination, coupled with the momentum and a drop in Greg's serve percentage, saw him break Greg for a second straight game and level the set at 5-5. Polkinghorne held for 6-5 then attempted to break Greg again, but Greg responded, getting to 40-15, then  winning the game to take the third set to the tie-break. Greg could have done with that service game a few games earlier.

South Australia's Darren Polkinghorne

Greg was straight on the attack in the tie-breaking, gaining an immediate mini-break, going 2-0 up. Polkinghorne broke back and the players changed ends all even at 3-3. Greg held for 4-3 and then attacked again but this time Polkinghorne held firm to get to 5-4. Greg's turn to hold serve - which he did well, to bring up match point at 6-5, but on Polkinghorne's serve. He duly got the mini-break to snare the tie-break 7-5, and win the match 6-1, 7-6(5).
A real test for Greg when things went a bit pear-shaped at the end of ththe second set, but he had played well up until then, and had the steely resolve to recover and win the match in straight sets.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #2

Centre Court at Canberra

In the third and final round of qualifying in Canberra, having had a bye in the first round, Greg was up against ex-collegiate player 24 year-old American Nathan Pasha, just starting to play full time on the pro-circuit. Currently ranked 1066, Pasha's capabilities will no doubt be way above his ranking level and will provide a stern test for Greg, who is seeded No. 3 for the qualifying.

Pasha Warming up

On a now overcast day, with a breeze developing stronger and stronger, serving first Greg got off to a less than satisfactory start, two double faults in the game enough for Pasha to break him and take the advantage in the set. Greg was not happy and showed it. At 2-0 up Pasha again had break points to go further ahead but Greg responded and was able to save and get to 1-2. Games went with serve to 4-2, then Pasha had Greg at 0-40. Staring at three break points Greg went for it and played his best tennis to get back to deuce, serving three straight bombs, then holding serve to get to 3-4. He could not get any opportunities on Pasha's serve though, and at 3-5 Pasha again had him facing a break point, this time breaking Greg again to win the first set 6-3.



Greg hits a back hand



With Pasha serving first both players held and then Greg had his first opportunity of the match to break Pasha st 15-40, but was denied by some good serving, games going to 2-1, then 2-2. Pasha held for 3-2, then with the wind gusting strongly it started drizzling. Play continued, and Greg lost the next point to face break point at 30-40. It was only drizzling lightly, but was very windy. The umpire wanted them to continue but Greg disagreed and then went to sit down. After a bit of debate and Greg calling for the physio for treatment, it started raining harder and play was suspended.

American Nathan Pasha

The rain lasted about twenty minutes and with the stiff breeze drying the courts quickly, they were soon back on court, with Greg to serve facing break point - a daunting prospect at a set and 2-3 down. But he returned from the rain break on fire, saved the breakpoint with aplomb and got to 3-3. He then forced Pasha to face two break points but Pasha responded, playing at a high level to match Greg, and held serve to get to 4-3. Greg held serve, and at 4-4 again had Pasha staring st two break points. Again Pasha denied Greg to get to deuce but this time Greg brought up more break opportunities and converted the fourth to get the vital break and serve for the set at 5-4. With the wind now gusting strongly, blowing out the singles sticks, blowing over umbrellas and chairs, both players were still playing at a high level. Greg stepped up to serve out the set 6-4, keeping the match alive, taking it to the third set.


With Pasha again serving first, at 0-1 Greg failed to close out a game at 40-15, serving a double fault and then endured a long deuce game, saving four separate break points before eventually winning the game, to level at 1-1. With the wind howling, both Pasha and Greg continued with some awesome rallies, passing shots and serving, but it was Greg who faced break point at 1-2. As he prepared to serve, the gusty wind again blew the single stick out and there was a delay to put the stick back in again. Greg served ok, but was then broken, to trail 1-3. Pasha was pumped and served well to go 4-1. Greg replied with a love game to stay close at 4-2.

Continuing to fight hard Greg then put the pressure on Pasha and forced him to deuce but a timely ace secured the game for a 5-2 lead. Greg again held to love, forcing Pasha to serve for the match at 5-3. Greg was not done, returned well and the pressure told, bringing up break point and converting the opportunity to stay in the match at 4-5. With the wind still howling, both players held serve to get to 6-5 on serve in Pasha's favour. With Greg again serving to stay in the match, Pasha kept pushing and brought up match point on Greg's serve. Steely nerves Greg hit a good serve and then won the game with a back hand down the line winner to level at 6-6, and take the match to the tie-break.

Pasha won his serve and then took a stranglehold on the tie-break by breaking Greg twice to lead 3-0. But Greg was not done and some inspired play saw him break back, twice, to get 2-3, then hold serve to change ends at 3-3. He then held again to lead 4-3. Two excellent returns backed up by long rallies, finished off well saw Greg break Pasha again, to bring up match point on his serve at 6-3. Greg won his seventh point in a row, to win the tie-break 7-3 and complete a great comeback in a topsy-turvy rain, delayed played in a strong, gusty wind. Final score 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).

 Greg was relieved and thankful that he had at last qualified for a Challenger after coming so close on numerous occasions. He had played some great tennis and had been forced to play close to his end range by a very talented and determined opponent.

Footnote: ironically Korean Hyeon Chung, who had taken the special exemption place in the main draw, denying Greg and forcing Greg to play qualifying, failed to travel to Australia and his place in the draw was then open to a "lucky loser" - a player who lost in the final round of qualifying. Greg was quite pleased that, in a strange quirk of fate, and just reward for the match he had played, his opponent Nathan Pasha was the benefactor of that lucky loser spot.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #1

Centre Court at Canberra

In Canberra for the next Challenger tournament, Greg was on the receiving end of some misfortune. Second alternative for the main draw, and with no "special exemptions (SE) players entered in the qualifying of this or other tournaments, it looked like Greg would be in the Main Draw for Canberra. Then fate stepped in - due to the death of the King of Thailand, the Thailand Challenger was cancelled due to that states mourning period, and a special case was invoked. Players that had entered in the Thai tournament, due to be played this week, who made the semis in the previous week (which is the normal case for a SE) could elect to play in any another tournament that week. And Chung was such a player, who elected to play in Canberra, taking the place of the second alternative, which was Greg. Such bad luck, and not sure why one players misfortune (Chung in this case with the Thai tournament being cancelled) should impact down the line to be the bad luck of some other player, unaffected by the original cause. Go figure...

Jimmy Morogiannis

In any event it meant that Greg missed out on the Main Draw place and was now required to play in qualifying. His first round opponent was local  17 year old Dimitri (Jimmy) Morogiannis, as yet unranked in the ATP.

Greg serving

Greg started the match confidently, and with him playing well off the ground, but with a low first serve percentage, and a nervous Morogiannis missing his shots, Greg's pace was the telling factor and he held serve easily and broke Morogiannis three times to easily win the first set 6-0.
In the second game of the second set Greg serving first and 1-0 up, had the opportunity to put Morogiannis away with multiple break points, but Morogiannis hit a few scorchers to firstly get back to deuce, then save a few more break points, to win the game and get back into the set and the match at 1-1. Both players then held to love,  Morogiannis was fired up and going for his shots, playing at end range, and making them. But slowly the Greg turned the play back his way and he comfortably held his service games to get to 4-3 up. Greg then brought up another break point opportunity, and converted to serve for the match at 5-3. With Morogiannis now swinging at everything with nothing to lose he managed to save match point and peg Greg back to deuce, and then broke Greg to get back on serve.
Greg was nonplussed, getting Morogiannis back from 40-30 to deuce, then bringing up his second match point. A pressurised double fault from Morogiannis gave Greg the match, 6-0, 6-4. 
It was a longer second set than Greg had thought would be the case, after the bagel first set, but the result was never in doubt, Greg taking back to the court afterwards for some more hitting to redress errors made on the second set. 

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Traralgon #2

The Traralgon Tennis Centre

Greg's first round of singles was delayed to Wednesday so that his opponent, good friend Matt Reid, could make the journey from Las Vegas, where he won the doubles title last week playing with American Brian Baker. Matt and Greg have known each other since they were youngsters, first playing against each other at Northern Suburbs Tennis Club when Matt was about 10'years old. On that occasion, with Greg the older and stronger player, Greg was a clear winner against a young, nervous Matt. Sixteen later it will be a different story, especially with Matt confident from his doubles win. 

Sydney's Matt Reid

It was Greg who served first and, after holding serve, had the first opportunity to break serve, but was denied by Reid, games going with serve to 2-2. Greg was then forced to defend two break points at 15-40 and he responded, getting back to deuce, only to have Reid win the next point and then break Greg to go 4-2, then 4-2 up. Greg then again had to face double break point and this time managed to save them to get to deuce and then held serve, to stay close to Reid at 3-4. Greg then brought up break back point on Reid's serve but was again denied the opportunity and it was Reid who went 5-3 up. Greg served an ace to win the next game, ensuring Reid would have to serve out the set. Greg won the first point but could not stop Reid from serving out the set, winning it 6-4.
Greg responded, holding serve then again having break point, but unable to capitalise, games going to 2-2. In a repeat of the first set, Greg was broken to trail 2-3, then 2-4. He held serve to get to 3-4, then brought up break point on Reid's serve. Frustratingly Reid was able to save and go 5-3 up. With the end in site Reid applied the pressure on Greg, getting him to deuce, then brought up match point. Greg saved and then after a multiple deuce game eventually held serve, to force Reid to serve for the match, giving himself another chance to break back. But Reid was to solid, holding serve well to win the set 6-4, and the match 6-4, 6-4.
Not the result a disappointed Greg was aiming for. Greg had been unable to convert the four break chance he created, and had dropped his serve once in each set, enough to make the difference between winning or losing.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Traralgon #1

From Las Vegas it was back to Los Angeles for a few days and then on a plane back to a very chilly Melbourne for Greg. The weather back in Melbourne was that wet, windy and cold that Greg opted to train indoors at Melbourne, rather than head for the outdoor courts of Traralgon, and wait around for hours between rain showers waiting for the courts to dry, if the rain stopped. It did mean he would not get to train in the windy, East Gippsland conditions, but he had enough of that experience in Las Vegas!
He had managed to get into the main draw of both the singles and doubles of the Challenger tournament, so was bouyant about the week coming up, hoping to earn some valuable points.

Finn Tearney

His doubles partner was Kiwi Finn Tearney, with whom Greg had played a couple of times and thier opponents where his fellow Northern Beaches mate from Sydney, Matt Barton and his sand-groper West Australian partner Matt Ebden. Both teams were unseeded in the doubles, but Barton and Ebden were the better credentialed in singles, with Matt currently ranked under 200 at 189 and Ebden, a former top 100 ranked player who has been off injured for awhile now, ranked in the 200's.
Greg and Finn led off the serving in the short-format sudden death deuce best of two sets format and both teams saved break-point deuce games to get to 1-1. then at 2-2, Greg and Finn failed to close out a game at 40-30 and subsequently lost the sudden death deuce point, to fall 2-3 behind. They fought hard  to get the break back but were unable to do so, losing the first set 4-6.

Matt Barton

They were immediately in trouble in the second set, again failing to close out the game and dropping serve to another sudden death deuce. This time they were able to hit back immediately, breaking the "Matts" at deuce to level at 1-1. Games then went to 4-4, where Greg and Finn were forced to 15-40, facing three break points. They saved two points to get to deuce but again were broken at deuce, to fall 4-5 down, with Barton and Ebden to serve for the match. But Greg and Finn hit back, breaking to level at 5-5. Unfortunately they were again broken, to again face Barton and Matt serving for the match. But Greg and Finn denied them again, breaking serve to take the set to a tie-break at 6-6.

Matt Ebden

Barton and Ebden were straight back into the tie-break - breaking, holding and breaking again to go 4-0, then 5-1 up. Greg and Finn were not done, breaking then holding both serves to get to 4-5. They then broke again to level at 5-5, but then faced match point, on their own serve, at 5-6. A good point saw them save that point and then change ends 6-6. But Barton and Ebden broke, to bring up another match point, this time on their serve at 7-6, converting to bundle a disappointed Greg and Finn out of the doubles, winning the match 6-4, 7-6(6).
Greg said they had played well in a high quality match, but were just a tad unlucky being broken a few times at deuce, not having the luck on the day. Greg plays his first round singes match tomorrow. 

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Las Vegas #4

In Las Vegas, the final round of qualifying had Greg up against the No.1 seed, young 22 year-old Brit Lloyd Glasspool, currently ranked 292. It was a match that Greg would not see as insurmountable, having accounted for Glasspool in qualifying a few weeks ago. It would just depend on the toll the combined 5 hours of tennis of the first and second rounds of qualifying had taken on Greg's body and how much gas he would have in his tank at the end of the match. By comparison Glasspool had a bye in the first round and a straight sets win in the second round.
In slightly less wind than the previous days, which slowly died as they played, both players had break point opportunities in the first set. Greg said he just did not have any luck on his two opportunities and frustratingly was not able to break Glasspool. He saved a couple of break points against him, but unfortunately was not able to save the third break point, handing the advantage to Glasspool, who won a close first set 6-4.

Brit Lloyd Glasspool

The second set saw more high quality tennis, with Greg again creating two break points of serve opportunities but again was frustrated in his attempt to break, the score going with serve to 4-4, then 5-5. Glasspool then forced Greg to 30-40, and a chance to break and take a decisive lead in the match, but Greg denied him this time, to get to 6-5, forcing Glasspool to serve to stay in the set. Greg won the first point but Glasspool responded to win the game and take the set to the tie-break at 6-6. 
With both players serving and playing well there were no mini-breaks early on, the score progressing to 5-5 on serve. Greg then got a timely break to bring up set point, on his serve, at 6-5. After serving five first served in the tie-break he missed his first serve and with the pressure, pushed the second serve long, double-faulting, to hand the break back to Glasspool, changing ends at 6-6, instead of sitting down to a third set. Glasspool took immediate advantage breaking Greag again to have match point on his serve at 7-6, converting the opportunity to win a close fought long match 6-4, 7-6(6).
It was an untimely double-fault for Greg, but there was no guarantee he would have gone on to win. He said he was feeling the strain of the previous two days long matches, so a third set would have bee n a real struggle, especially against a player who had played a lot less. Greg said the match was of a high quality, he had served well (at a high 74%), and played well, so was happy with his overall performance- just has no luck on the break-point opportunities he had created.
A good weekend, with two tough wins and a close loss but his almost 7 hours of tennis produced no points and no money. It's a tough gig qualifying...

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Las Vegas #3

The Courts in Las Vegas

The second round of qualifying in Las Vegas saw Greg up against the No 5 seed 26 year-old Italian Eric Crepaldi, currently ranked 399, who had recently frustrated Greg in a previous tournament and had knocked him out of qualifying on that occasion. Greg would have to perform well to stop it happening again.

Serving first,on another almost gale force windy day, Greg used his experience  from the match the day before and was able to dictate in the first set, holding serve, then twice breaking the Italian to go a handy 2-0 up. He then held for a 3-0 lead before applying the pressure on Crepaldi again, eventually breaking him again in a multiple deuce game, to go a double break up. Greg held serve for a 5-0 lead, then broke Crepaldi for the third time to close out the set 6-0.

With the Italian potentially on the ropes, Greg then quickly went 40-0 up in the first game of the second set but then failed to win the game, allowing Crepaldi to win the next five points, and break serve, allowing the Italian a sniff in the match, a chance to recover and adjust. Greg knuckled down, breaking back immediately to level at 1-1. They both then steadied, both holding serve to get to 5-5. Greg held serve to lead 6-5, then applied the pressure on Crepaldi, forcing him to 30-40 and bringing up match point. Crepaldi was not finished though, slapping a return winner to deny Greg, then holding serve to take the match to the tie-break at 6-0. 

Leftie Eric Crepaldi

Crepaldi got the first break of serve but Greg broke straight back,  and they them repeated the breaks to change ends locked at 3-3. Crepaldi held to go 4-3 up and then won both of Greg's serves to have set point on his serve at 6-3. He converted to win the tie-break 7-3, and the set 7-6, to take the match into a thirrd set. It was the reverse of the match yesterday, where Greg came from behind to win the tie-break and go on to win. Could Greg stop that happening?

Crepaldi kicked off the third set by holding serve confidently, then proceeded to take the match to Greg, breaking a frustrated Greg to go 2-0 up. Greg fought back in the gale force wind, breaking Crepaldi, holding, then breaking again, winning 3 games in a row to lead 3-2. Just when Greg thought he again had the upper-hand, he cold not find a first serve and Crepaldi broke him again to level at 3-3, then go 4-3 up. Crepaldi now had the momentum and he used the pressure to break Greg a third time in the set and give himself the opportunity to serve for the match. Greg tried to fight back but Crepaldi brought up two match points at 40-15. Greg had nothing to lose and went all out, saving the first match point, then the second match point, to get back to deuce. He then brought up break point and converted the chance to break Crepaldi and get to 4-5 in the set. Greg then held firm on his serve to level the score at 5-5. The momentum had shifted again, and Greg broke Crepaldi for a fourth time in the set, to lead 6-5. It was Greg who now had the opportunity to serve for the match. Crepaldi had other ideas and won the first two points to get Greg to 0-30. Greg responded, levelling the score, then bringing up his second match point, this time seizing the chance and winning the set 7-5, and a two-and a half hour long match which had more twists than a roller coaster, 6-0, 6-7(3) 7-5.

So two wins in a row for Greg but still another round of qualifying to go. Greg was relieved that he came away with the win but was frustrated and annoyed that he had given up the first game of the second set, allowing Crepaldi into the match, and that he had not been able to close it out in straight sets. In his words - it was a bizarre match.

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Las Vegas #2

Twenty two year old American Alexios Helebian was Greg's first round opponent in qualifying for the Las Vegas challenger. Currently ranked slightly better than Greg at 589, left-handed Halebian will no doubt be a tough opponent but Greg will be confidently creating an upset if he performed, even though the wind was blowing a gale and making conditions very difficult and almost unplayable
It was Halebian who served first and it was the bigger server Greg who was having trouble adjusted to the windy conditions, even though he was serving at a high percentage. Halebian was able to break Greg to go 3-1 up and then held for a 4-1 lead. Greg rallied to get to 2-4 but then at 2-5, dropped his serve again to give Halebian the set 6-2.

American Alexios Halebian

With Halebian again serving first in the second set, both players concentrated on controlling their serves in the high wind and surprisingly held serve quite easily, only dropping 6 points between them in getting to 4-4. The wind was creating more problems for the players on their returns and ground shots, with balls propping, turning and shooting through unpredictably. Then Greg forced Halebian to deuce and then brought up break point, but Halebian held firm to get to 5-4 up. Greg held to love to level at 5-5, then again brought up two break point opportunities on Halebian's serve. But again Halebian denied him and held serve to go 6-5. Now the pressure was on Greg and he faced match point in the next game at 30-40, but he too was able to save and hold serve, to get the set to the tie-break at 6-6.
In the tie-break the players kept the score close, taking the points to set point at 6-5 in Greg's favour, with Halebian serving. Halebian denied Greg and brought up match point at 7-6 up, but on Greg's serve. It was Greg's turn to save to get to 7-7 and hold to go 8-7 ahead, and have another set point. This time he was able to break Halebian and pouch a desperately needed tie-break 9-7, and win the second set 7-6, to take the match into a third set.
The third set, with Greg serving set, went much the same way as that of the second set, except Greg was holding serve easier, serving at a higher percentage than Halebian, and eventually the pressure told, in Greg's favour. At 4-3 up, Greg was able to get Halebian to 15-40 and converted the opportunity to lead 5-3, and serve for the match. Halebian fought back, pegging Greg back from 30-0 to 30-30 but Greg responded, bringing up match point and winning the game, to win the set 6-3, and a closely fought match 2-6, 7-6(7).
A close call for Greg who saved two match points against him, but showed good mental strength to stay in the match and squeek out a win, in difficult windy conditions.

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Las Vegas #1

The week in San Fransisco was spent practising and training, when Greg could gain access to a court at Fairfield, and an unexpected encounter.


The spectacular view

Whilst driving to the tennis centre one morning Greg saw a spectacular viewing spot, with an amazing view over the city and bridge and asked the driver if she could stop so he could take a photo. She obliged and Greg jogged back up  little way to the viewing spot. Sitting on a bench in the small park looking at the view was another guy. Greg glanced at him, did a double take and then said "Wyatt Roy". The guy looked up and replied "Greg?'.

Greg with old school mate Wyatt

 It was a friend of Greg that had been at junior school with Greg fifteen years ago. They were very good mates, had been at school together in Mosman in Sydney for five years, had played in the same soccer team and were generally on the same wave length. Greg went on his tennis journey and Wyatt and family, originally from the USA, returned to America. Wyatt went on to study at Stanford and now was resident in San Fransisco. He just happened to be at that scenic viewing spot to oversee a photo/video shoot for a commercial.
What a coincidence and such immaculate timing.
After an exchange of greetings and a quick photo, they resolved to meet up the next evening and catch up on old times. After that it was off to Las Vegas for Greg, for the next round of qualifying for the following week's Challenger tournament.

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Fairfield #2

The second round of qualifying saw Greg up against on old mate who he played doubles with in his first year of ITF Juniors, 28 year old Chilean Hans Podlipnik-Castillo, currently ranked 366. Hans won eight Futures singles and eleven doubles titles in Futures and Challengers last year, so will be a tough test for Greg. They have not played each other previously.
It was a match of differing sets for Greg, especially in the serving department. He did not start well and struggled to find his rhythm and first serve early in the first set and was broken early on by Podlipnik-Castillo, who was in the groove and held serve to take the score to 5-3. He then brought up 3 set points on Greg's serve but Greg responded, getting back to deuce and then holding serve, to get to 4-5, and force Podlipnik-Castillo to serve out the set. But to no avail as he did so, taking the first set 6-4.

Old mate Hans Podlipnik-Castillo

By contrast, in the second set, again serving first, Greg found his rhythm and starting nailing those first serves, only dropping two points on serve in the set. He served three consecutive love games to get to 3-2 up, then at 4-3 he forced Podlipnik-Castilloto deuce, then break point, converting to go 5-3 up. Greg then served out the game to love again, to win the set 6-3 and take the match to the third set.
Greg again served well in the third set, holding his serve more easily than Podlipnik-Castillo but was not able to bring up that crucial break point. Then at 2-3, serving with the old balls, Greg faced break point and was unable to hold, giving Podlipnik-Castillo the crucial break and a 4-2 lead. Greg fought back, getting Podlipnik-Castillo to deuce, but again was unable to bring up break point. Podlipnik-Castillo held firm and served out the set 6-3, winning a long 2 hour plus match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
A frustrated Greg bowed out in the second round of qualifying again. He had won far more points in the match than his opponent, yet came out on the losing side of the match. 

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Fairfield #1

And so onto the next Challenger, this week in Fairfield, San Fransisco, for the first round of qualifying. Greg's opponent was 22 year-old American College player Connor Farren, with a ranking of 1068.
In a strange start to the match, Greg had a great start, breaking Farren in the first game and then, despite serving four first serves, Greg dropped his serve to love. The players then swapped breaks of serve again to get to 4-4. Greg said later that the backdrop to the courts, which are supposed to provide a sight screen to enable the ball to be seen better, were covered entirely with advertising material and both players were having trouble picking up the ball and took awhile to adjust. Greg was also struggling with a racquet which had not been strung to the correct tension - it was too loose, and it took him awhile to realise the problem. At 3-4 down he changed to a racquet strung the previous week and immediately noticed the difference.

A young Farren at Wimbledon Juniors
in 2012

Farren and Greg both held serve to go to 5-5, then Greg forced Farren to 15-40 and the opportunity of two set points. Farren responded, serving a miraculous second serve ace to get to deuce and then save the game to go 6-5 up. Greg served out his game to love to take the set to the tie-break. Farren got the early advantage, breaking Greg to go 2-0, then 3-1 up. Greg pegged him back, breaking to change ends at 3-3. At 6-5 up, but on Farren's serve, Greg had his third set point but Farren saved to get to 6-6. Then after changing ends, Greg broke Farren to bring up his fourth set point at 7-6, the first on his serve, and converted to pouch the tie-break 8-6, and win the set 7-6.
Serving first, and playing much better with a racquet that had been re-strung for him, Greg then held serve to love twice, to get to 2-1 up. He then broke Farren at 15-40 to go 3-1 up, then held for 4-1. At 5-2 up Greg brought up match point on Farren's serve but again Farren saved and won the game, forcing Greg to serve for the match at 5-3. Playing with confidence now, having only lost three points on his serve in the second set, Greg served out the game to love, winning the set 6-3 and the match 7-6(6), 6-3.
A tentative first set for Greg, which could have gone either way, but once he got his game and equipment in order a solid second set and good result for Greg, who along with house-mate Dennis Nevolo, was looking to get his racquets strung elsewhere in time for the second round qualifying match tomorrow. 

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Stockton #2

The second round of qualifying in Stockton, California saw Greg facing up against the No. 6 seed, 24 year-old Ecuadorian Emilio Gomez, currently ranked 252, with a high rank of 215 in July 2014.
Gomez led off, holding serve and then putting pressure on Greg, playing catch-up. They swopped breaks of serve and traded blows to 2-2. But Greg was struggling to hit the spots on his first serve, serving at 53% and winning only 55% of those serves, and Gomez capitalised, breaking Greg to go a break-up. He served out the set confidently, winning it 6-3.


Ecuadorian Emilio Gomez

Greg served first in the second set but was unable to improve on his serve percentages. Gomez kept the pressure on Greg and was able to convert that pressure, bringing up break point and breaking Greg, to again take the advantage. Greg fought back but Gomez saved four break points in the set to deny Greg and hold serve, games going to 5-3. Serving to stay in the match and force Gomez to serve for the set, Greg quickly got to 30-15, but then lost the next two points to bring up match point against him. He was unable to stop Gomez from breaking for a second time in the set, winning the set 6-3 and a hard fought match 6-3, 6-3.Greg was obviously disappointed in the result, and particularly his serve which let him down, but he had returned well and played well off the ground. He had created seven break-point opportunities but had only converted one of those chances, whilst Gomez had converted four of his nine chances. Another second round loss for Greg, who had a favourable draw and a long week of training awaits him before the next tournament.

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Stockton #1

Just a short drive north east of San Fransisco is the town of Stockton, venue of the next Challenger stop for Greg. In the qualifying, his first round opponent was young 22 year-old Englishman Lloyd Glasspool, near his highest ranking, this week at 292. It will be a tough test for Greg, as last week Glasspool beat Dennis Nevolo, the player to whom Greg had lost to at Tiburon.
On a gutsy wind day, Glasspool served first and after holding serve broke Greg to go 2-0 up. Greg hit back, breaking Glasspool to close the gap, only to have Glasspool break him again, to go 3-1 up, then consolidate the break for a 4-1 lead.
At 5-2, Glasspool vented some frustration, shouting that neither player could hit the ball out the middle of the racquet, and then Greg started to do so. He held serve then, with Glasspool serving for the set, he took advantage of Glasspool's frustration and broke him, to get the break back at 4-5. Greg held serve to level at 5-5, and then brought up break point on Glasspool's serve. Greg again converted to go 6-5 up and have a chance to serve for the set. Greg stepped up and pouched the set 7-5.

Englishman Lloyd Glasspool

Glasspool started the second set well, holding serve to lead 1-0, and Greg responded to level at 1-1. Greg then broke Glasspool to take the advantage, serving at 2-1. But before Greg could change sides to serve Glasspool came to the net and retired from the match. Greg was surprised but did note that Glasspool had his arm strapped, so assumed that Glasspool had determined he could not continue.
Greg said he had played well, especially on serve, but that the breezy conditions had may play difficult. Some luck for Greg, who was leading in the match.
 

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Tiburon #2

The second round of qualifying for the Tiburon Challenger saw Greg facing another tough match, this time against his house mate and good friend, 26 year-old Dennis Nevolo from the USA. Having knocked off the No. 4 seed in the first round, Greg would have been hoping for less of a challenge in the second round but Nevolo, ranked 485 this week, will be approaching the match as a good opportunity with the seed removed. He will fight just as hard as Greg to progress to the final round of qualifying and be hoping that Greg's long three set match, after a three week or longer lay-off, will slow him down just enough.

Serving first Greg did not get off to a good start, saving two break points before dropping his first service game, handing the advantage to Nevolo. Greg now had to play catch up. Nevolo was returning well and Greg again had to save break point to get to 1-2, then 1-3. He rallied and held serve for 2-3, then proceeded to reel in Nevolo, forcing him to break point and converting to level at 3-3. Then in a long game Greg saved another two break points to go a 4-3. Nevolo quickly held to love, to level at 4-4, and put the pressure straight back on Greg's serve. Again Nevolo got Greg to deuce, then break-point. Greg twice saved break points but could not save the third and Nevolo had the break, to lead 5-4 and serve for the set.

But Greg was not out yet, breaking Nevolo to again level the set, at 5-5, only for Nevolo to break again to serve for the match a second time at 6-5. Neither of them could hold serve! And Greg fought back and broke Nevolo once again to take the set to the tiebreak at 6-6.

Dennis Nevolo

Nevolo had been holding serve easier than Greg, serving only 23 points to Greg's 55 points up to the then, and this showed in the tie-break, Nevolo taking an early lead, breaking Greg and holding serve to go 3-0 up. He repeated the dose, breaking Greg twice more to go 5-0 up and then serving out the tie-break 7-0, dominating to win the first set 7-6.

The first set proved to be crucial. With that under his belt, and having forced Greg to serve double the amount than he had, Nevolo was able to attack a Greg's serve and broke him immediately to go out to a 3-0 lead, then forced Greg to 0-40. Greg saved two points but lost then next, Nevolo going a double break up, and taking a stranglehold on the match. Greg finally held serve but could not stop Nevolo from serving out the set 6-1 and winning the match 7-6(0), 6-1.

Greg had served well, with a high first serve percentage, but Nevolo had returned equally as well, and had restricted Greg to winning only 8 points on his second serve in the match, which made the difference. It will be a long week training and hitting for Greg, before the tournament next week.

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Tiburon #1

Greg had a busy three week break at home in Australia, recuperating from niggling shoulder and other injuries, applying for a USA visa which will give him more options for playing and travelling in the USA, \testing different racquet and string combinations and also training hard at Kooyong and Melbourne Park. Then Greg was again off to the USA for a series of Challenger tournaments. His first stop was Tiburon, just north of San Francisco city, for the $100,000 Wells Fargo tournament. Due to his current ranking, around 598, Greg was in qualifying and in the first round faced up against young 21 year old Italian Lorenzo Sonego, currently ranked 281, who will be a stern test for Greg.

Serving first, it was Greg who dominated the play, winning 100% of his first serves and 67% of his second serves, to not face a break point in the first set. He was returning well too, forcing Sonego to face three break points. Sonego managed to save one of those points but Greg converted the other two opportunities, breaking Sonego twice and serving out the first set 6-2.
Sonego fought back and got a better look at Greg's serve in the second set, winning more points and matching Greg. They both broke once in a tightly fought sets, with games going to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Sonego got an early mini-break to go to the first change of ends at 4-2 up. Greg served to get to 3-4, then broke Sonegro to get back on serve at 4-5. Remaining aggressive, Greg served an ace to level at 5-5 but then produced a double fault to present Sonego with set point at 5-6, rather than perhaps having match point. Sonego then snaffled the tie-break 7-5 and the second set 7-6, to tie the match up at a set-all.

Young Italian Lorenzo Sonego

Seeing the chance to win the match in straight sets disappear, Greg was undeterred, serving a good first game in the third set, then attacking Sonego's serve, forcing him to break point and converting, to lead 2-0. Sonego responded and immediately broke back, much to Greg's annoyance. Greg upped the pressure on Sonego's serve, returning well and again breaking the Italian to lead 3-1, then holding serve fro a 4-1 lead. But Sonego's resolve was not broken and he held serve himself, then proceeded to break Greg's serve again to get to 3-4. He then held again to level the third set at 4-4. In a critical game which went to deuce, Greg managed to hold serve to lead 5-4. He then put as much pressure on Sonego as possible, and at 40-30 Sonego buckled to Greg's returning pressure, and served two double faults in a row to hand match point to Greg. Greg was up to the task and thankfully broke the young Italian to win the third set 6-4, and a hard fought match 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4.
Still two matches to win to qualify but a good first match for Greg. He was happy with his performance and his ability to go the three sets and win, and also happy with his new racquets and string combination.        

American Summer 2016 - Gatineau #3

Entry to the Centre

The second round of the singles in Gatineau, Challenger saw Greg matched up against former Canadian No.1 player Frank Dancevic, currently ranked 243. Thirty-one year old Dancevic has had a chequered career, with a high rank of 65, and is now attempting to make his way back up the ranking after a period of inactivity last year. Unseeded in this tournament, Dancevic knocked out the number 8 seed, and with the top two seeds out of the tournament, will be looking to progress further in the draw. A tough match for Greg but one of opportunity as the draw opens up.

The Gatineau Courts

On an extremely hot and humid day, with temperatures in the upper 30s, Greg opened the serving, holding serve then immediately having the first opportunity to break, with Dancevic at 15-40. Two missed returns by Greg allowed Dancevic get back to deuce and hold serve. They then swopped breaks of serve, Greg courtesy of a dead net cord, to get an eventful start of the set to 2-2. They both then saved break of serve opportunities against each other to get to 3-3. Dancevic then broke Greg to go ahead 4-3, then held serve to lead 5-3. Greg fought back, holding serve for 4-5, then having half a chance with Dancevic at 0-30, But Dancevic raised his game and three first serves in a row saw him bring up set point, converting to win the set 6-4.
Both players served well at the start of the second set, playing confidently to quickly get to 3-3 in the hot conditions. Then a few errors saw Greg staring at three break points against him at 0-40. A good serve, another well played point, followed by an ace saw him get out of that jam and hold serve, to go 4-3 up. He then immediately capitalised, forcing Dancevic to 15-40 and having two chances to break. But this time Dancevic emulated Greg, saving three break points in staving off the challenge from Greg and levelling the score at 4-4.

Canadian Frank Dancevic

Both players held serve to get to 5-5, then Greg went down 0-30, giving Dancevic a sniff. An ace brought it back to 15-30, but then Dancevic  brought up virtual match point, having two opportunities to break at 15-40. A very, very close line call went Dancevic's way and Greg was broken, giving Dancevic a chance to serve for the match, which he did in style closing out the set and the match with an ace, to win 6-4, 7-5.
A match of lost opportunity for Greg. he had served well and had generally performed well, except on those break point opportunities where he committed too many errors trying to close out the point too quickly. The heat and humidity had been a problem for both players who tried to keep the points as short as possible in the conditions.
And so ends Greg's American summer of 2016, with a modicum of success in the last tournament, qualifying and winning a round, but not with the overall success during the summer for which he had fought so hard. After a trip to see the Niagara Falls he will make his way back to Australia to renew his US visa, recharge, train and plan for the rest of the year.