Aussie Autumn 2016 - Mornington F4 #4

After the disappointment of losing the doubles, Greg was back in the thick on the tournament in Mornington, this time in the second round of the singles. His opponent was the No.2 seed, Queenslander Maverick Banes, currently ranked 343 in the singles. Greg had met and beaten Banes in Mildura on grass, but playing the consistent Banes on the "en tout cas" clay will be a different story.

The picturesque Mornington Peninsula

Serving first Greg got off to bad start, being broken by Banes, who went 2-0. Banes the repeated the break, to lead a double break, 3-0. Greg was starting to find the range and forced Banes to save two break points, which he did to lead an imposing 4-0. But Greg just knuckled down to the task, holding serve to get on the board, then breaking Banes to get to 2-4, one break back. Banes kept the pressure on though and Greg was forced to save another break point to get to 3-4. He then again had Banes facing two break points. Banes responded, getting the game to deuce but could not save a further break point, to see Greg level at 4-4. Greg should have had an easy hold at 40-15 in the next game but Banes forced him to deuce, then brought up another break point opportunity of Greg's serve. Greg saved and had multiple deuce points before winning his fifth game in a row, to lead the first set 5-4, and force Banes to serve to stay in the set! Banes hit five first serves in response, breaking Greg's run to leave the score at 5-5. Greg held for 6-5, then applied the pressure on Banes, to bring up three set points at 0-40. Banes saved two but not the third, as Greg snaffled the first set 7-5, after a remarkable come-back.

Maverick Banes

A set up now, Greg was playing with more confidence, but Banes was keen on hitting back and again broke Greg twice in a row to lead 3-0. Greg hit back breaking Banes to get a break back, then saved two break points to get to 2-3. Could he repeat the first set and get level after being two breaks behind? But this time Banes held firm, going 4-2 up. He then forced Greg to 15-40, Greg saving the first break point but, serving with very old balls, was unable to stop Banes breaking again, to serve for the set at 5-2. Greg got him to 30-30 but Banes won the next two points to win the set 6-2, and level the match at a set all. 
Greg was determined to not fall behind again at the beginning of the third set and managed to hold serve to lead. He then, on the second game with the new balls, proceeded to peg Banes back and break him to got 2-0 up. Then Greg served a love game to consolidate the break, 3-0. Banes hit back, holding serve and then getting Greg to 15-40. An ace saved the first break point but Banes managed to break Greg, to level the set at 3-3.

They both held serve well, Banes at one stage serving 11 first serves in a row, to take the score to 4-4. Greg then faced two break points but scrambled to get to deuce and win the game to go to 5-4. Then at 5-5 Greg again faced break point and, in what turned out to be a pivotal marathon 25 point game, Greg saved 4 break points and had had 9 deuces, before finally converting an advantage point with much relief to lead the set 6-5. Banes stepped up intent on taking the set to the tie-break and appeared to be on track at 40-15 but Greg, returning well, pegged him back to deuce. Then lady luck came to Greg's aid. He managed to return a serve which clipped the top of the net and dropped dead over the net. Match point to Greg which he converted to avoid going to the tie-break and win a 3 hour 21 minute match 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.
It was a great fighting match for Greg, showing buckets of ticker and great mental fortitude, especially at 5-5 in the third set. Banes had to be commended as well, not fading away once Greg won the first set from 0-4 down and coming back at Greg when a break down in the 3rd set. Banes had served extremely well, at almost 80% in the second and third sets, but Greg was able to return well and restrict Banes from winning a high percentage of those serves. Greg was pooped, tired and sore, and still suffering from a cold, coughing and wheezing, and was heading immediately for some food and then a massage to try to get rid of some stiffness in preparation for the next round.