Aussie Autumn 2016 - Mornington F4 #5

After his gruelling 3hr+ win in the second round in Mornington Greg, a bit sore and stiff, would be hoping for a far shorter match in the quarter final round. His opponent was the No.5 seed, big serving leftie Victorian Dayne Kelly, who had been the victor in the finals match in Mildura. That was in 40 degree heat and on grass, and Greg would be pleased about the cooler weather but perhaps not about the "en tout cas" clay surface, on which Kelly would have played on when growing up.

Leftie Dayne Kelly at Morninton


With Greg serving first, both players were forced to save break points in their first service games to get to 1-1. From then they both did not give up another break point opportunity in getting to 5-4, Greg leading. Greg then brought up two set points on Kelly's serve, but Kelly held his nerve, saving those opportunities, denying Greg the break. Both players then held serve, taking the set to the tiebreaker at 6-6. Greg then got in the zone, serving and returning well to break Kelly on all of his serves, and win the tiebreaker 7-0. First set to Greg.

Greg at Mornington

Greg then pressed home his advantage, breaking Kelly in the first game of the second set, to lead 1-0, then holding serve, to go out to a 4-2 lead. Kelly serving with the old balls, held to stay close to Greg at 4-3. Then, ironically, with Greg serving with new balls in the 21st game, was not able to adjust quick enough to the harder balls, and Kelly forced him to 0-40. Greg saved one break point but could not prevent Kelly from breaking back to level the score at 4-4, then holding serve to love, to consolidate the break to lead 5-4. Greg responded to level at 5-5. But Kelly now had the momentum, and fatigue was beginning to set in for Greg, Kelly breaking Greg to pouch the second set 7-5 and take the match to a third set. Not something Greg wanted after his marathon match the previous day.

Kelly had the advantage of serving first in the third set and kept his nose in front on the scoreboard and the pressure on Greg. Greg twice forced Kelly to multiple deuce games but could not bring up break point, the score going to 3-2 on serve in Kelly's favour as the match clock approached the 3 hour mark. Then Greg saved a break point in his next game, then had multiple game points and deuces, but could not win the game, before Kelly managed to bring up another break point, this time converting to break a fatigued Greg and seize the initiative. He then consolidated the break to lead 5-2. Greg's run had come to an end, Kelly breaking him again to win the third set 6-2, fighting back from a set and a break down to win the match 67, 7-5, 6-2.

Dayne on the back hand side

It was a close thing for Greg, but his marathon second round match had given the fresher Kelly the edge in another long 3hr 11min match. Greg had to win it in two sets, and unfortunately not been able to hold on to his break lead in the second set. A disappointing loss for Greg. A close win followed by an equally close loss, in a match he could have won. But in many respects a good week in retrospect for Greg, who had proved to himself that he can last through the rigours of long, tough sets and go the distance when it matters. Some more valuable match time and building on match fitness for the months to come.