Australia in the Spring 2016 - Traralgon #2

The Traralgon Tennis Centre

Greg's first round of singles was delayed to Wednesday so that his opponent, good friend Matt Reid, could make the journey from Las Vegas, where he won the doubles title last week playing with American Brian Baker. Matt and Greg have known each other since they were youngsters, first playing against each other at Northern Suburbs Tennis Club when Matt was about 10'years old. On that occasion, with Greg the older and stronger player, Greg was a clear winner against a young, nervous Matt. Sixteen later it will be a different story, especially with Matt confident from his doubles win. 

Sydney's Matt Reid

It was Greg who served first and, after holding serve, had the first opportunity to break serve, but was denied by Reid, games going with serve to 2-2. Greg was then forced to defend two break points at 15-40 and he responded, getting back to deuce, only to have Reid win the next point and then break Greg to go 4-2, then 4-2 up. Greg then again had to face double break point and this time managed to save them to get to deuce and then held serve, to stay close to Reid at 3-4. Greg then brought up break back point on Reid's serve but was again denied the opportunity and it was Reid who went 5-3 up. Greg served an ace to win the next game, ensuring Reid would have to serve out the set. Greg won the first point but could not stop Reid from serving out the set, winning it 6-4.
Greg responded, holding serve then again having break point, but unable to capitalise, games going to 2-2. In a repeat of the first set, Greg was broken to trail 2-3, then 2-4. He held serve to get to 3-4, then brought up break point on Reid's serve. Frustratingly Reid was able to save and go 5-3 up. With the end in site Reid applied the pressure on Greg, getting him to deuce, then brought up match point. Greg saved and then after a multiple deuce game eventually held serve, to force Reid to serve for the match, giving himself another chance to break back. But Reid was to solid, holding serve well to win the set 6-4, and the match 6-4, 6-4.
Not the result a disappointed Greg was aiming for. Greg had been unable to convert the four break chance he created, and had dropped his serve once in each set, enough to make the difference between winning or losing.