Australia in the Summer 2017 - Burnie #4

After a delay of three days due to the rain, having originally being scheduled to play on Monday, Greg and partner, 22 year-old Australian Chris "Oaks" O'Connell, took to the court for their first round doubles match. Chris would be backing up from his earlier singles match, which he unfortunately lost, and if they won the first round doubles match they would have to play again that evening. Three matches in a day at Pro-Tour level is a tough ask.

Partner Chris O'Connell

Their opponents for this first round clash were fellow Aussies Blake Mott and Maverick Banes, who earlier in the day had played against each other in the QF round of the singles, with Mott the victor. Greg & Oaks were quick out of the blocks, breaking Mott and Banes in the first service game and then going 2-0 up. Mott and Banes hit back, breaks it back to level at 2-2. Greg and Oaks again broke their opponents but again were pegged back, and in the end were grateful to take the set to the tie-break after twice having the advantage in the set.

Maverick Banes

In the breaker it was Mott and Banes who got the early mini-break but Greg and Oaks broke back to change ends at 3-3. They then went ahead 5-3, and had a set point, only to be broken and again change ends level at 6-6. They proceeded to break their opponents again and this time, on their own serve, managed to secure the tie-break 8-6, winning the set 7-6.

Blake Mott

The second set was just as competitive, with both teams struggling to master the gusty wind conditions, and again it was Greg and Oaks who secured the first break of serve. Mott and Banes fought back and in a topsy-turvey set of five service breaks, it was Greg and Oaks who saved more break points, only getting broken twice to their opponents three times, to win the second set 6-3, and run out deserved winners having been ahead on the score board for much of the match. 
A good first up pairing for Greg and Chris the a solid straight sets win, with another match to come.