Aussie Summer 2015-16 #7

After another week of resting his shoulder, then fitness training during the four days of rain in Sydney, with only a little bit of hitting possible, Greg weighed up the options of either playing qualifying in the Challenger tournament in Canberra or in the ATP250tournament in Auckland. With a very strong Main Draw field and a much weaker than usual qualifying entry, Greg was confident of qualifying for the Canberra event but that may have meant playing three matches in two days, then a fourth match potentially against a Top 100 ranked player, for a return of say 2 points.

If the entries dropped low enough for Greg to make the new 2016 criteria of 16 player draw only in qualifying for the ATP250 in Auckland, Greg would only have to play two matches in two days, for a potential return of 12 points, if he won both matches and then a Main Draw match on the third or fourth day. As this was his first match back on the pro-circuit and his shoulder was still a work in progress Greg opted for the lesser tennis and greater return option, including better tournament conditions and free accommodation, and travelled to Auckland for the qualifying, hoping for some sunshine and a decent draw.
With enough withdrawals to allow Greg entry into qualifying, Greg was first match on on the Saturday. Unfortunately the entry had not dropped low enough for Greg to be seeded in the draw, which was lopsided in ranking, with four top 100 players, then the rest ranked from 250 to 2000. Greg drew the No.4 seed, 28 year-old Thiemo De Bakker, a former Wimbledon Junior Champion, with a current ranking of 99 and a high ranking of below 50. Ironically Greg and Thiemo had a hitting session the previous day.

Dutchman Thiemo De Bakker

Greg was serving well, but de Bakker was returning better, and despite five first serves Greg faced break point in the first game of the second set. He saved the first but could not save the second break-point going behind 0-1. De Bakker was also serving well, at 80%, and games quickly went to 3-1. Then Greg had an amzing game in which he served 10 first serves, but could not convert game point, eventually getting broken to trail 1-4. The rest of the match followed the same pattern. Greg struggled to hold, even though he served well and de Bakker holding easily, to run out a 6-2, 6-2 winner.
Greg was not happy with the result, or score-line, which he said did not reflect the match but he said he had played well and gained a lot from the match. He was still rusty on shot selection and serve variation. He said that the indoor courts they had practised on the previous day were a lot slower than the outdoor match courts and he had taken a bit longer than de Bakker to adjust to the speed of the court. De Bakker had returned well, and of course served too well, for Greg to make in-roads into his game.
Greg returned to Melbourne to continue training and hitting, preparing for the year ahead.
De Bakker went on to qualify for the main draw, then won his first round match, defeating Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinola, ranked 55, in straight sets.

Aussie Summer 2015-16 #6

After some success in Japan,  Greg  was keen to get into some intense training and hitting, but first he travelled to Yarrawonga in Northern Victoria to help his team from Kooyong Tennis Club secure victory in the ATL and a place in the finals at the Australian Open in January. They then contested and won their regional finals, beating the more fancied South Yarra team led by Luke Saville, the depth of the Kooyong team being a decisive factor, Greg only playing in the doubles.

Greg then came to Sydney to train with Matt Barton and others at Homebush with Wally Masur and Dave Moore. As the Australian summer of tennis ramped up, with the wild card play-off at Melbourne Park, Greg returned to Melbourne to train with the players and coaches involved in the play-off. His hard work is showing positive results, a much lighter and fitter Greg moving well and striking the ball well.

In order to get some match practise Greg entered his first Australian Money Tournament, the local Manly Seaside Tournament just down the road from his home in Manly. Seeded fifth, he cruised through his first match in the round if sixteen again veteran Jurek Stasiak 6-2, 6-1. However, the vagaries of the draw saw him matched up again the No.1 seed, training partner Matt Barton, in a match fitting of the final. Whoever won the match was destined to win the tournament, barring disaster. 

Unfortunately for Greg, Matt's booming first serve was on fire, Matt serving in the high 75-80% range and also using his booming forehand to get himself out of trouble, to maintain control through the match. Matt broke a Greg in his first service game, when in a flow start Greg failed to land s first serve, then twice saved break point opportunities, to deny Greg breaking back and winning the first set 6-3. 

Greg serving at Manly

Matt continued serving well in the second set, whilst Greg serve improved remarkably, despite feeling awkward in his shoulder. Matt again broke Greg early in the set, but this time Greg was able to convert the break point opportunities he created, levelling at 3-3, then having another break point at 4-3, but Matt again served his way out of trouble, levelling then breaking Greg at 5-5, to competently serve out the match with four first serves to win the set 7-5 and win the match 6-3, 7-5.

Greg was happy with the way he played, with room for improvement, but had been aware of some "funny" sensations in his serving shoulder, and not serving at 100% to hopefully avoid any problems. He is attributing the sensations to not having served enough whilst concentrating on improving his fitness and movement. After a few days rest he will then see how his shoulder feels.

As predicted Matt Barton went on to win the Manly Seaside singles title.