Oz Summer 2012-13 #8

The main event of the Australian Summer of tennis, the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific, aka the Australian Open saw Greg awarded a doubles wild card by Tennis Australia on the back of his excellent results in the Auckland ATP event. Viewed by some as a controversial decision, Greg was paired with a young Australian player, 20 year-old Alex Bolt, who had contested the singles qualifying, commendably winning his first round and going dwon in a close match in the second round, 8-6 in the 3rd set. Greg and Alex had not played together and only had a couple of practise session this week prior to the match.
They had dodged a seeded pairing in the draw but were still up against a couple of players ranked in the top 100 in the singles, Colombians 29 year-old Alejandro Falla, ranked 54 and 25 year-old Santiago Giraldo, ranked 64.

Falla and Giraldo

The Colombians won the toss and elected to receive, so Greg stepped up and confidently served to win the first game. The Colombians held and then a nervous Bolt had his service game, unfortunatley dropping serve to give the Colombians a break and a lead of 2-1, then 3-1. The Aussies had a chance to break back but could not convert and games went with serve to 3-5, Greg serving. A few missed shots and the Aussies were broken again, the Colombians pouching the 1st set 6-3.
The Aussie were not to be rolled though, and hit back immediately, breaking Giraldo, holding serve and then breaking Falla's serve to jump out to a 3-0, doubles break lead in the 2nd set. The Colombians responded and broke Bolt's serve to claw back one break.

Greg and Alex conferring

The plucky Aussies were not to be denied though and broke the Colombians again and then held serve to go to a 5-1 lead. The Colombians held serve forcing the Aussies to serve out the set which they did, to win the 2nd set 6-2 and level the match at one set all.

The 3rd set was a keenly contested affair, games going with serve to 4-3, the Colombians with the advantage. Then they forced the Aussies to 15-40, on Bolt's serve and had two break point opportunities. But the inexperience Bolt, playing in his first Grand Slam match, was not to be fazed, serving well to have the Aussies prevent the Colombians converting those opportunities, and holding serve for 4-4. At 5-5 the Aussies had the Colombians at 0-30 but could not make any further in-roads and the score went to 5-6, Bolt to serve to take the set to the tie-break. Nervelessly he stepped up and at 30-30 served two good serves to win the game.

The Aussies got an early lead in the tie-break and then relinquished, then broke again but the Colombians broke back, to change ends at 3-3. Points went on serve to 4-5, the Colombians leading and Greg to serve. He served two beauties and the Aussies were first to have a match point at 6-5, the Colombians to serve. After a short rally Falla hit a shot long and the Aussies had completed a memorable come-back in an entertaining match, winning the tie-break 7-5 and the match 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(5).

The final scorebaord

Greg and Bolt had smiles all round and eagerly signed autographs for some of the young fans. Bolt had won his first Grand Slam match and Greg his third, to advance to the second round of the Men's Doubles.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #7

The second round of the single of the Heineken Open in Auckland draw threw up an extremely challenging match for Greg. When an unseeded player beats a seeded player in the first round of an ATP 250 tournament he is guaranteed to meet another unseeded player in the second round. This Greg had done in beating the No. 6 seed and he did then get an unseeded player in the next round but this player was no  

Monfils at full stretch


ordinary player ranked at 99. It was former World No.7, a regular top ten player, 26 year-old Gael Monfils who has been sidelined by injury and had thus lost his ranking position and was on the comeback trail, granted a wild card into the tournament. Unfortunate for Greg, because Monfils is an player with tremendous flair and skill, tall with a big serve, and on his day he can beat anyone. He is unpredictable though, and perhaps Greg could catch Monfils on a bad day, a bit rusty after being off the circuit for a while and not match fit. 



Forehand from Greg

Greg, no doubt nervous on a packed Centre Court, opened with a good service game, as did Monfils, to get to 1-1. Monfils then upped the ante and attacked Greg's serve, breaking Greg to love to lead 2-1, then 3-1. Greg struggled to deuce in the next game but held serve to keep the score close. He then pressured Monfils to have two break points at 15-40 but Monfils saved both point and won the game to go 4-2 up. games went with serve to 5-3 and Greg was forced to fight for the next game to prevent Monfils breaking to win the set. He was able to do so but was then unable to prevent Monfils from prevailing 6-4 to win the first set.

Hotdog!

Greg held the first service game to love in the second set and then forced Monfils to deuce in the next game but was unable to bring up a break-point opportunity and Monfils levelled at 1-1. Monfils then broke Greg in the next game and held serve to go to a 3-1 lead. Games went to 4-2 with serve and then Monfils pounced getting Greg to 0-40. Greg saved one break-point but could not stop Monfils from taking a double break lead, 5-2 up. Greg rallied and pushed Monfils to 30-30 but was Monfils was up to the task and served out the game, winning the second set 6-2 and the match 6-4, 6-2.

An end to the giant-killing run of Greg but a match that he would have enjoyed playing. A great experience on Centre Court against a top player in an ATP tour level tournament, with relative success and his first ATP tour level win, and two wins over high ranked top 100 players in a week. Much confidence and experience to be gained by Greg from this week's tournament.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #7

The first round of the single main draw of the Heineken Auckland Open ATP250 tournament saw Greg draw a real toughie, another veteran of the tour, 31 year old Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who has finished in the top 50 for the past five years. Seeded No.6 for this tournament, Melzer boasts a high rank of No.8 in 2011, where he was also in the top 10 for doubles, a rare occurence, and is currently ranked 29. To make things even more difficult it was a windy day in Auckland, with a stiff 35 kph billowing breeze.

Auckland's Centre Court

Greg won the toss and, playing on the Centre Court before a large crowd, chose to serve first, starting confidently and holding serve to love. Greg got Melzer to deuce in the next game but was unable to get a break point opportunity and, with both players serving well, games went with serve to 6-5, Greg serving 8 aces along the way. Greg then put the pressure on Melzer, who was serving to stay in the set, getting him to 30-40 and having a break point opportunity to win the set. But Melzer was up to the task, denying Greg and taking the set to the tie-break at 6-6. 

Greg Serving

Greg got an early break in the tie-break but Melzer pegged him back, the players changing ends at 3-3. At 4-4 Melzer broke Greg and then won his service point to lead 6-4, and have the opportunity to serve for the set with two set points in his favour.

Melzer serving

Greg dug deep and won that point and then held his own serve to deny 

Melzer and change ends at 6-6. Unfortunatey Greg dropped his next serve and presented Melzer with another set point opportunity, and on Melzer's serve. Again Greg was able to save the set point and then won Melzer's next serve as well, to bring up set point in his favour, and on his serve too, at 8-7 up. Despite missing his first serve Greg was abe to hang on and close out the tie-break 9-7. First set to Greg 7-6.

Greg salutes the crowd

With Melzer serving first in the second set, both players held serve to love, then at 1-1 Melzer raced to a 40-0 lead, then double faulted. Greg pounced on that small error and forced Melzer to deuce and then breaking point. Melzer saved that point but Greg was not to be denied, bringing up another break point and this time converting to go a break up at 2-1. With Greg serving with new balls, Melzer fought back and immediately had Greg facing three break points at 0-40. Greg dug deep again and with a well fought point, followed by two aces, Greg recovered to deuce and then held serve for a 3-1 lead. Games went with serve to 4-2, when Greg again broke a flagging Melzer to lead with a double break and at 5-2 serve for the match. Greg's nerve held and he held his serve to love, winning the second set and causing an upset, bundling out the No.6 seed in straight sets with a 7-6(9), 6-2 win.

With two top 100 scalps in two days, Greg will be delighted, the win over Melzer easily being the best result of his career to date.



Oz Summer 2012-13 #6

The final qualifying round of the ATP 250 tour event in Auckland saw Greg matched up against the No.1 seed, 31 year-old Romanian Victor Hanescu. Extremely experienced, the 6'6" Hanescu has a booming game and has been a top 100 player since 2003, currently ranked 61 with a high ranking of 26. A tough ask for Greg, ranked at 375 this week, but having dropped ranking due ti injury and illness in 2012.
On a very windy, cool but sunny day, Greg started nervously and the Romanian was quick to hold serve, break Greg and hold serve again to go out to a quick 3-0 lead. Greg adjusted to the conditions and started serving better, holding serve, less easily than Hanescu though, with games going to 5-2, Hanescu with the advantage. Hanescu then applied pressure to Greg's serve and got him to deuce but Greg held firm, to take the score to 5-3. Greg was unable to make inroads into the tall Hanescu's serve and Hanescu served out the set, 6-3.
Greg was serving first in the second set and held serve confidently in the tough breezy conditions, but Hanescu was equally as good, again holding serve more easily than Greg, games going with serve to 5-5, with neither player giving up a break point opportunity. In two long games, serves prevailed again and the players went to the tie-break at 6-6.
Greg was quickly up a break in the tie-break but Hanescu pegged him back to swop ends at 3-3, then led 4-3 on serve. Greg stepped up and held both his serve to get to 5-3 up. He then broke Hanescu to get to set point at 6-4, with Hanescu still to serve. Greg needed this point to avoid having to serve for the set, to level the match and he went for it, breaking Hanescu and winning the tie-break 7-4, the set 7-6, to level the match at one set all.

Victor Hanescu

Hanescu was still thinking of the tie-break as he started serving in the 3rd set and Greg pounced, bringing up two break points and converting on the second one to break Hanescu and lead 1-0. But the experienced Hanescu was not going away and bounced straight back, raising his game and breaking to get level at 1-1. Games were keenly contested but went with serve to 3-2, Hanescu holding to love. He then forced Greg to break-point but Greg denied him and after a long deuce game held serve to get to 3-3. Games then went with serve, Greg unable to make any gains on Hanescu's serve, and holding his own serve well, to again get to the tie-break at 6-6.
A very determined Greg attacked and broke Hanescu  and then held serve to lead 3-0, then broke again to get to 4-0. Hanescu hedl for 4-1 before Greg served to get to 5-1 up. Hanescu upped the ante and broke Greg, denying the opportunity to get to match point, the score at 5-2. Hanescu held serve to get to 5-4, then Greg had to serves to win the match. Hanescu had other ideas and broke Greg to level at 5-5. If he broke Greg again, he would serve for the match. Greg needed a 1st serve but could only serve a fault, but with steely resolve held on his second serve to bring up match point at 6-5, on Hanescu's serve. Two good first serves saw him deny Greg the match point and then bring up match point at 7-6. Greg's turn to feel the pressure and he missed the 1st serve but held, then won the next point again on his 2nd serve, to get to 8-7 up. His match point, but on Hanescu's serve. This time Hanescu held on a 2nd serve and with a booming 1st serve brought up match point his way, at 9-8. Greg stepped up and denied Hanescu with an ace, changing ends at 9-9. Another ace saw him again bring up match point at 10-9, but again on Hanescu's serve. This time though Greg was able to match Hanescu and won the point, closing out the tie-break at 11-9, winning a hard fought, nerve-wracking thirrd set 7-6 and taking a dramatic victory, in a match lasting two and a half hours, 3-6, 7-4(4), 7-6(9), to qualify for an ATP tour event for only the second time in his career.
Well done Greg. All that training and hitting over the past month paying off.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #5

The second round of qualifying in Auckland had Greg matched up against another veteran, USA's 34 ear-old Michael Russell, currently ranked 87 on the ATP rankings. Russell has been a constant in the upper levels of the top 100 over the past four years, with a high rank of 60 in 2007. Extremely fit and quick, Russell relies on his movement and "never-miss" ethos to wear his opponent down. A tough match for Greg.
It was then a very relieved Greg who advised that Russell had withdrawn and that he had received a walk-over into the final round of qualifying. A lucky break for Greg, something he has not had for awhile, which will give Greg the opportunity to recover further from yesterday's three set match and to prepare for his next match.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #4

After weeks spent training at maximum and hitting with many different partners, it was a disappointed Greg who faced up to the New Year, and the reality of his ranking at around 370, not being able to get into qualifying in the Brisbane ATP tournament. He was a spectator but continued training and hitting, housing with old mate Joel Lindner and getting some quality hitting in Brisbane. More disappointing news was to follow, that he was being overlooked by Tennis Australia for a wild card into the Australian Open qualifying tournament. This will be the first time Greg will not have played at the Australian Open since 2006.

With the probability that Greg would not make the cut for the qualifying draw in Sydney, Greg set off for the ATP 250 event in Auckland, a tournament he would not be able to play if he was in the Australian Open qualifying. Greg was hopeful of making the cut in Auckland, which he did and played his first round match on Saturday 5th January 2013. Hopefully lucky 13 for Greg.
In his first round encounter he was drawn against a tricky player, veteran 36 year-old German Frank Moser, currently at the twilight of his career ranked a lowly 1089, but with a doubles ranking of 67. Greg has played Moser once before in 2010, and won that match in straight sets, on clay.
Serving first Greg was quick out of the blocks, holdin serve, then breaking Moser to go up 2-0, then 3-0. Moser held serve for 3-1 but Greg broke Moser again to lead 5-1 and served out the set 6-3, not having faced a break point in the set.

Frank Moser

Moser was not going to disappear in the 2nd set though. He held serve in the first game and then broke Greg to lead 2-0. Greg responded and had a break point against Moser, but in a reverse mirror of the 1st set, Moser denied Greg the opportunity and held to lead 3-0. Games went with serve to 4-1, Moser again denying Greg a break point. He then got Greg to 15-40 and threatened to go a double break up, but Greg served two aces to get back to deuce and then hold serve get to 4-2. At 5-3 Moser served for the set but Greg had other ideas and broke Moser and then held serve to level the set at 5-5. Both players struggled to hold serve but easch held serve to get to the tie-break at 6-6.
In the tie-break Greg fell behind at 1-3, then broke back for 2-3, then dropped serve again to trail 2-4 at the break. He then held and broke Moser twice to serve for the tie-break and the set and match at 5-4. Inexplicably, despite Greg serving two first serves Moser won both points to lead 6-5 and then won the tie-break 7-5 and the second set 7-6, levelling the match at one set all. Nervous times for Greg, who lacked real match play.
Greg regrouped and strongly served first in the 3rd set, holding serve easily and then getting to 2-1 up. He then got Moser to 15-40 and converted to break Moser and lead 3-1. At 4-1 Greg again had break points to go up 5-1 but Moser saved and got to 4-2. Greg held to lead 5-2 and then had a match point on Moser's serve but could not break and Moser held for 5-3. Greg then had to serve for the match. He started nervously, losing the first point but steadied to complete the game, and win the set 6-3, winning a hard fought match 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3.
Not the best performance by Greg who will no doubt have to step-up for the second round match against a better opponent tomorrow. But he did win his first match of 2013.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #3

The second round of the Austalian Open 2013 Wild Card Play-off draw threw up another tough match for Greg, up against the No. 2 seed, and good mate, 23 year-old Queenslander John-Patrick Smith. JP and Greg have known each other since they were 12 years-olds, playing against and with each other during their junior years, winning a National Doubles title in the U14's together and are still good friends. JP elected to take up a scholarship at Tennesse University and had a very successful Collegiate career, winning awards each year. He was ranked the No. 1 College player and was voted the SE Conference Athlete of the year. Having graduated, JP is now on the Pro-circuit and has successfully made the transition from college tennis, with his ranking at 224 and in the process of being improved.

John-Patrick Smith

On a sweltering 30 degree day in Melbourne, it was Smith who got off to the best start breaking Greg early and going to a 2-1 lead. Greg reponded and broke bakc immediately to level at 2-2, only for Smith to break again and hold serve to go up 4-2. He then put Greg under pressure again, forcing Greg to defend another two break-point opportunities at 15-40. Greg rose to the challenge, winning four straight point to get to 3-4. Smith was serving well however and Greg was unable to make any in-roads into his service games, Smith serving out the first set 6-4.

Melbourne Park outside courts



Greg was immediately on the attack in the second set, holding serve, breaking Smith and holding serve again to go out to a 3-0 lead. He then brought up more break-point opportunites on Smith's serve but was unable to convert, games going to 5-2. Greg then brought up two set points on Smith's serve, and an opportunity to serve first in the third set, but Smith served well on those points and saved, forcing Greg to serve out the set, which he did to win the set 6-3 and level the match at one set all. 

In a repeat on the first set, Smith broke Greg early to lead 2-0 but Greg broke back to level at 2-2. Greg then had a fantastic opportunity to go ahead when he forced Smith to 0-40, but again some good serving from Smith saw him elude the break of serve. The rest of the set saw a very high level of tennis with some great rallies and good winner, including some drop shots from Greg, games going with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. Greg broke Smith and raced to a 3-0 lead, but Smith held serve and then broke Greg to level at 4-4. He then broke Greg again in the next stanza of serves to get to set-point and serve for the set. But Greg saved that point to swop sides at 6-6. He was unable to win the next point though presenting Smith with another set point but this time on Greg's serve. The pressure told though and Greg ignomiously served a double fault, gifting Smith the tie-break 8-6 and the third set 7-6.

Greg served first in the fourth set and both players maintained the high standard of tennis they had played in the 3rd set, games going with serve to 3-2. Greg had a small window of opportunity, getting Smith to 0-30 but Smith served his way out of troubles to level the score at 3-3. The effects of the first round five set match which Greg had played was beginning to tell, with Smith having had a three set match and in the next game Smith forced Greg to 15-40 and had two break point opportunities, converting to take a 4-3 lead. Smith held serve for a 5-3. Greg responded and got the score to 4-5, forcing Smith to serve for the set and the match.

A tight game ensued, with Smith playing to avoid making an error, and Greg attacking, both players having some success, in getting to 30-30 but an attacking forehand long from Greg saw Smith brign up match point. Another good first serve by Smith gave him the last point and the fourth set 6-3, winning a long, intense battle 6-6, 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.

It was unfortunate the two mates had to meet so early in the play-off, most spectators saying that match had the quality to be the final and perhaps should have been but that is the draw.

Greg was naturally disappointed but overall was buoyed by the fact that, after all his injury and illness woes of the past year, he had played two long matches, one a five-setter, the other in four sets, and had come through the matches in excellent condition. He had shown he could play a five set match in tough, hot summer conditions.

Now back to the training courts and gym to get even fitter for the New Year.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #2

 After a week's rest and some more scans of his injured leg, which revealed that there should be no lasting damage to his injured knee, it was back to sme serious hitting and training for Greg, in preparation for the Australian summer of tennis. But there was a little matter of the Australian Open Wild Card play-off for those Australian players not ranked high enough for direct entry into the main draw. Due to some no shows, due to injuries and players electing to forego the play-off and train solidly for the summer, Greg was to be seeded No. 7 for the event in a 16 man field. Greg was not sure if he was ready to play due to his time off for his injury and especially as the format for the play-off was the best of five set matches, but he decided to incorporate the play-off into his training schedule and get some valuable match time.

Melbourne Park Outside Court

The draw threw up the worst result for Greg, against the next best player not seeded, 25 year-old Queenslander Michael Look. Look had beaten Greg on a few occassions in the Juniors and had elected to take up a scholarship at a USA College, where he had graduated before taking on the challenge of a professional tennis career.
Greg has since got his revenge, beating Look, currently ranked 452, in straight sets at Coloundra in February this year. Look, who has a very consistent flat game with a accurate serve, will prove to be a challenge for Greg, who is had a lot of time off and is rusty and down on confidence.
The first set saw Look take the initiative and get an early break on Greg. Greg struggled at first with the windy conditions making serving difficult and the cool weather makign the courts and balls slower and lower bouncing. Greg was unlucky not to convert a few break-point opportunites that he

created against Look and then got broken again, to lose the first set 2-6.

Greg on his forehand

As the sun came out and the day warmed up Greg started getting back into the match, again creating some break point opportunities. Again he was unable to break and games went with serve. Then on the only break-point he faced, Look played the better point, and broke Greg on his first opportunity of the set to go a break up, Greg losing the second set 4-6.

Two sets to nil down and facing a mountain of work to win in this five set match, Greg took stock: He said at that stage he was feeling ok, he felt his play still had some scope for improvement and that Look was playing at his red-line and would not be able to sustain that level of play. So Greg knuckled down and immediately got results, breaking Look early and then holding serve. But mid-way through the set a lack of concentration by Greg saw Look break back, the score going to 5-5. Greg then broke Look and served out the set 7-5, now trailing Look 1-2 in sets.

Queenslander Michael Look

The fourth set mirrored the 3rd set fairly closely, with Greg now growing in confidence and serving better. Greg got the vital break of serve advantage and again served out the set competently, this time 6-4, and levelled the match at 2 sets all.

The decisive 5th set commenced with both players holding serve for 1-1. Greg then broke Look to go up a break 2-1, then 3-1 up. Look upped the ante and served well to hold his serves and then forced Greg to hold his serve, games going with serve with no break point opportunities to 4-3. Greg held for 5-3, and Look replied to get to 4-5 and put the pressure on Greg again, at the end of a tough five sets, to serve out the match. Greg was up to the challenge and did so, win the 5th set 6-4 and a long three and a half hour match 2-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

A good come from behind win for Greg, which will do his confidence much good but will have sapped his energy a fair bit. It is only the second five set match he has played and the first time he has won. He has a days break before playing his second round match.