The second round of qualifying in Gwanju, Korea, which was in fact the final round due to the fact that there was a lack of eligible players entered and the draw was only a 16 player draw, saw Greg up against one of Korea's top youngsters, Chan-yeong Oh, who had represented Korea in the Junior Davis Cup. Newly competing on the Men's Pro-circuit, ranked at 1872, Oh will be a tricky match for Greg to negotiate, with Oh having nothing to lose and will thus hit freely, swing from the hip. Greg will have to serve well and use all his experience in the match.
The first set was keenly contested, with both players creating opportunities and also having to face break points. Whilst Greg served at a decent percentage, he was still forced to save five break points in the first set but he also created four break point opportunities on Oh's serve, crucially converting one of the points. A break up he was able to hold on and win the first set 6-4.
The second set was just as tight, but this time each player held serve easier, despite Greg's serve percentage dropping. However Greg dropped his serve to trail 3-5, for Oh to serve for the second set. But Greg was able to get the break back immediately, and hold serve to level at 5-5, games going with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. Then at 4-3 up in the tie-break Greg missed two second serve returns and handed the advantage to Oh, who then won both of Greg's serves to win the tie-break 7-5, and win the second set 7-6 and take the match to a third set.
Serving first in the third set, Greg broke Oh early to go 3-1 up, just to see Oh hit back to break Greg in the next game and get the break back at 3-2. Greg dug deep and forced Oh to deuce and then break-point, converting the opportunity to again lead 4-2. Greg was determined to go on with the advantage, and although Oh got him to deuce he managed to serve out the game to lead 5-2. Desperate not to have to serve out the match, always the hardest game of the match, Greg forced Oh to 30-40 and break point/match point. But Oh saved to get to deuce but Greg again brought up match point, this time successful in winning it, to win the third set 6-2 and a 3-hour marathon match 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 and most importantly qualify for the Main Draw.
A relieved Greg said that while he had served well enough, winning a high percentage of first serves, he had again struggled to adjust with the higher bouncing balls and court at first but got the range towards the end, which will hopefully carry through to the next match in the main tournament. Greg said
he felt fine after the match, his fitness holding up well and his body feeling good.
The first set was keenly contested, with both players creating opportunities and also having to face break points. Whilst Greg served at a decent percentage, he was still forced to save five break points in the first set but he also created four break point opportunities on Oh's serve, crucially converting one of the points. A break up he was able to hold on and win the first set 6-4.The second set was just as tight, but this time each player held serve easier, despite Greg's serve percentage dropping. However Greg dropped his serve to trail 3-5, for Oh to serve for the second set. But Greg was able to get the break back immediately, and hold serve to level at 5-5, games going with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. Then at 4-3 up in the tie-break Greg missed two second serve returns and handed the advantage to Oh, who then won both of Greg's serves to win the tie-break 7-5, and win the second set 7-6 and take the match to a third set.
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| Korean Junior Chan-yeong Oh |
Serving first in the third set, Greg broke Oh early to go 3-1 up, just to see Oh hit back to break Greg in the next game and get the break back at 3-2. Greg dug deep and forced Oh to deuce and then break-point, converting the opportunity to again lead 4-2. Greg was determined to go on with the advantage, and although Oh got him to deuce he managed to serve out the game to lead 5-2. Desperate not to have to serve out the match, always the hardest game of the match, Greg forced Oh to 30-40 and break point/match point. But Oh saved to get to deuce but Greg again brought up match point, this time successful in winning it, to win the third set 6-2 and a 3-hour marathon match 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 and most importantly qualify for the Main Draw.
A relieved Greg said that while he had served well enough, winning a high percentage of first serves, he had again struggled to adjust with the higher bouncing balls and court at first but got the range towards the end, which will hopefully carry through to the next match in the main tournament. Greg said
he felt fine after the match, his fitness holding up well and his body feeling good.
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