American Summer 2016 - Charlottesville #5

The weekend began with Greg still involved in the Charlottesville Futures, in the doubles final with Rubin Statham, up against an American pairing of 21 year old Thai-son Kwiatkowski and 22 year-old Mac Styslinger, both with relative new ATP rankings around 2000, due to playing US College tennis, where they would have gained some invaluable doubles play experience.


Thai-son Kwiatkowski

In steaming hot conditions, on lively courts, it was Greg and Rubin who had the first real opportunity at 1-1, on the back of two double faults from the Americans, but they were unable to convert either of the two points and the  Americans held. Games went with serve to 4-3, the Americans up, then a double fault by Rubin at 30-30 gave the Americans a chance and they broke to lead 5-3. Greg and Rubin were straight back, immediately breaking back in the next game to get back on serve. But they were unable to draw level, the Americans forcing them to deuce, to bring up set point on the deciding sudden death deuce point, converting to pouch the set 6-4.Greg and Rubin then had the Americans facing double break point in the first service game but the Americans again denied them, saving the break point with an ace then winning the sudden deuce point. At 2-1, a poor game by Greg and Rubin gifted the Americans the first break in the second set, and a 3-1 lead.


Mac Styslinger

Despite having to save another sudden death deuce point in the next game, to lead 4-1, the Americans had the momentum. They pegged Greg and Rubin back from 40-0 to again win a sudden death deuce point and take a double break lead at 5-1, serving out the set to love, to win the set 6-1 and the match 6-4, 6-1.Greg said is was a disappointing and frustrating match. Rubin and himself had not played their best tennis, and the match was still just decided on a point or two. The Americans had won all the sudden death deuce points and taken all of their chances, which made a big difference. The stats were almost all in their favour, except for the decisive break points won/saved statistic. Greg said Rubin had not returned well, normally his strength, and Greg had not volleyed at his best, normally his strength. So very frustrating, but something to turn around next time.
A good week overall, but with much room for improvement, especially in the singles, with the player who beat Greg, Tennys Sandren contesting the finals and going on to win the tournament..