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.
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.
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