Autumn in the States 2017 #3

Qualifying for the $100k Tiburon Challenger was the next stop for Greg. His opponent was another ex-USA college player, 25 year old Nick Chappel, currently ranked 904, with a high rank of 627 last year. He will be a stern test for Greg.
Serving first Greg was untroubled on serve, serving at a high percentage and only losing 5 points on his serve in the first set. He was also able to create opportunities on Chappel's serve, having four break opportunities but being unable to convert, games going with serve to 5-5. Greg held to lead 6-5, then once again brought up a break point opportunity on Chappel's serve, this time converting and finally breaking Chappel, to deservedly win the set 7-5,

The Tiburon Centre

The second set was in sharp contrast to the first. Again serving first Greg found himself facing double break-point at 15-40 in his first three service games. He saved in the first game, and repeated the effort in his second service game, to get to 2-1. But he could not repeat again in the third service game, dropping serve to trail 2-3, then 2-4. Chappel was now holding his serve quite easily so Greg needed to look after his own serve and be patient and put the pressure back on Chappell. Games went with serve to 4-5 Chappel leading with the break.

Nick Chappel

With Chappel serving for the set at 5-4 and 30-15 it looked like the match was heading for the third set but then Greg produced his best tennis, winning the next four points to break Chappel and level the set at 5-5.   
Both players held serve to get the set to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Greg took the early advantage to break Chappel and lead 2-1, then held serve to get to 4-1. Chappel could not find a first serve, whilst Greg was serving well and Greg broke Chappel twice more to win the tie-break 7-1, the set 7-6 and the match 7-5, 7-6.
Greg was relieved and happy to get a win. He said he had generally played well and his body had felt good. It was a close match out of which Greg can take some confidence and now get some more valuable match court time.