American Summer 2016 - Vancouver #1

It was off to Vancouver, Canada for the next Futures tournament for Greg. First up was a doubles match, this week partnered by New Zealander Finn Tearney. They were up against an in-form pairing of Australian Jarryd Chaplin and another New Zealander Ben McLachlan, who have just won three consecutive doubles titles in the last three weeks, in Futures tournaments in Israel and will both be ranked below 250 in the doubles when the points come through next week, and are the No. 2 seeds in the doubles this week. Greg and Jarryd are good friends, having trained together in Sydney for many years when Juniors, so it will not only be a tough challenge for Greg and Finn, but also bittersweet for whoever wins.

Partner Finn Tearney

After both teams held serve, Greg and Finn were faced with double break point but managed to hold serve, then took their opportunity to break on deciding point at deuce in the next game, to go 3-1 up. They then played confidently to stay ahead, serving out the first set 6-3.

Ben McLachlan

Greg and Finn then had the opportunity to stamp their authority on the match and break Chaplin and McLachlan at 15-40 in the first game of the second set, but their opponents held firm, saving the three break points to hold serve. They then had the exact scenario on Greg and Finn's serve, and broke on deciding point to go 2-0 up. Greg and Finn roared straight back breaking Chaplin and McLachlan to love and then saved on deciding point to level at 2-2. After that eventful start to the set, both pairings dominated on serve, games going quickly to 5-4 in favour of the opposition. Then again Greg and Finn faced break points at 15-40 but this time won three points in a row to hold serve and level at 5-5, then go to the tie-break at 6-6.


Aussie Jarryd Chaplin

\The tie-break did not start well for Greg and Finn though, losing both of their serves to trail 3-0. They broke back to get to 3-1 but could not make up anymore of the deficit, dropping serve again to lose the tie-break 7-3, and the second set 7-6.With the match level at one set all, it would be the match tie-breaker to decide the match. There were break of serve a-plenty in the first half of the tie-break as both teams struggled to get their noses in front, the players changing ends level at 6-6. Greg and Finn held to go 7-6 up, then broke Chaplin and McLachlan to lead 8-6. An ace got Chaplin and McLachlan back to 8-7, but still a break down for Greg and Finn to step up and serve for the match. Thankfully they were up to the challenge closing out the tie-break 10-8, to win a very close fought match 6-3, 6-7(3) (10-8).
Greg was pleased with the win but had told Finn that he just wished it was not against Chappers, his good mate.