Away in Asia - Autumn 2016 #10

Greg took to the courts for his second round qualifying match in Busan a little apprehensively, not because his opponent was the No.5 seed Jimmy Wang from Taipei, ranked 330, but because he could still feel the strained abductor muscle in his groin, which was causing discomfort and could inhibit his movement. The last time Greg had played Wang, who has a high rank of 85, was two years ago in California in a miserable rainy and windy day, and Wang had delivered the one and only double bagel score-line Greg has had in his career. Things could only be better this time. 
Games went with serve until 2-2, then Greg was broken by Wang. Greg was feeling the strained abductor, and so had an injury time-out to get some treatment, and was seriously considering not continuing. But he was hitting the ball well and was pretty competitive, even on one leg, so decided to keep playing. He managed to stay close to Wang, and then broke him, to take the set to the tie-break. 
In the tie-break it was Wang who got the decisive break, and maintained the gap to win it 7-3 and go a set up. 
In the second set, games went with serve until 2-3. Greg was then forced to save break point to win the game and level at 3-3. His movement was restricted, unable to get much leg action on serve and lacking explosive movement to the one side, and Wang capitalised, moving Greg around. He held serve for 4-3, then attacked and broke Greg's serve, to serve for the match at 5-3. There was nothing Greg could do to stop Wang, who wrapped up the match 76(3), 6-3.
It was along shot for Greg to beat Wang even if fully fit, but he said he had competed and played well, and had performed well even carrying a muscle strain. His upper leg/groin area was sore but he did not think there was anything that would not repair with rest, which he will now have, taking a couple of weeks off to recuperate and attend his friend's Guy and Adine's wedding in Los Angeles.
Upon reflection the Asian your had been only moderately successful, Greg playing well and qualifying for two tournaments, but with no main draw wins, although he had some very close matches. His fitness was the best it had been for over two years and he had got through a few of long three set matches well, but now had a niggling injury to deal with.  

Away in Asia - Autumn 2016 #9

Greg and Filip Peliwo were unable to play their second round doubles match in An-Ning as Greg had a bit of tenderness in his right shoulder,  so did not want to aggravate the shoulder in a doubles match when he had the singles to play in qualifying on the weekend, in the next tournament in Busan, Korea. A $100k + hospitality challenger, the opposition would be a lot tougher in this higher level event. And so it proved to be.  

They managed to get to Busan to get in a couple of practise sessions on the hard court surface, having been on clay for the past two week, so at least were adjusting to the different surface. Greg avoided a seeded player in the first round but was still up against a difficult opponent, 28 year old Australian riding star Oliver Anderson, who had created a stir in Australia in the beginning of the year, winning the Australian Open Junior singles title and showing a lot of promised the Men's tour, getting his ranking down to 670. Unfortunately he tore a muscle in his hip in the final and has been out of tennis since mid February recuperating. This would be his first match back and would be a quite unknown quantity for Greg to play. 

Australian Open Junior Champion

With Anderson serving first Greg was quickly on the front foot, breaking Anderson, then consolidating the break with a quick hold of serve to lead 2-0. Greg then capitalised further on a nervous start by Anderson, and serving well himself broke Anderson twice more. Greg shut Anderson out completely on his serve, denying him a single point, to win the set 6-0. 

He again broke Anderson in the first game of the second set but the served a shocker with the new balls and allowed Anderson to break back to level at 1-1, giving Anderson a sniff at getting back into the match. Greg righted the situation be breaking Anderson a fifth time to again have he break advantage in the set. But in what he described as the worst set he has played Greg served poorly, play badly and was broken twice more to get to 3-5 down, giving the Aussie junior a chance to serve for the set. Greg fought back breaking Anderson again to get back to 4-5 but then again dropped his serve for the fourth time in the set, losing the set 4-6 and presenting  Anderson the chance of winning the match.

Oliver Anderson at the Open

After a comfort break, Greg was determined to start the set well and knuckle down to play some decent tennis again.  He broke Anderson early to lead 1-2, then saved a break-point in consolidating the break. He was back in the zone and broke Anderson once more before serving out the set 6-2, to win the match 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.

Greg said he should have won in straight sets but was troubled by a slight groin strain he had picked up in training the previous day and it had distracted him in the second set. He was worried about it after the match, as it had progressively hampered his movement, but he was able to turn into around and get the win. Now to see the physio to get some treatment on that groin strain.