Oz Summer 2012-13 #16

Westlakes Tennis Club

The draw for the Challenger tournament in Westlakes had Greg up against the No.3 seed in the second round, 24 year-old Canadian, Peter Polansky, currently ranked 178, with a high ranking of 149.
First match on, on a hot sunny day, Greg started serving and held serve well. He was returning well too, and forced Ponsky to deuce on his first two serve and then at 3-2 he twice brought up break-point on Polansky's serve but Polansky held firm and denied Greg the break of serve. Then at 4-4, against the run of play Polansky converted the only break-point opportunity Greg faced, to lead 5-4. Polansky then confidently served out the set to love, 6-4.

Greg was annoyed at the lapse and fired up in the second set, holding serve to love and then breaking Polansky to love to lead 2-0 and then 3-0. He broke Polansky again and then held serve to take a strangehold on the set with a 5-0 lead. Polansky held, forcing Greg to serve for the set at 5-1, which he did, also confidently to love, winning the set 6-1 and levelling the match at one set all.
With Polansky, serving first and back in the groove, he held and then forced Greg to face a break-point whihc he managed to save to get tp 1-1. In the heat of midday, both player's conserved energy and concentrated on holding serve, the server dominating and games to 5-5 without much bother. Greg then forced Polansky to deuce but was not able to progress further and Polansky rallied to hold serve.

Canadian Peter Polansky

The tie-break ensued at 6-6, with Polansky and Greg holding to get to 1-2. Then Greg won both of Polansky's serves to lead 4-1 . Polansky hit back and broke Greg for 4-2, and then trailed 2-5. Polansky held his to serves to put the pressure back on Greg at 4-5. He broke Greg to level at 5-5 but Greg brought up match point, with Polansky serving at 5-6. Polansky held but Greg then broke him again to bring up match point, this time on his serve at 7-6. But Polansky rose to the challenge and broke Greg again
to level at 7-7. Greg served to get to 8-7, but on Polansky's serve. This time Greg managed to break, and won the tie-break 9-7, on his 3rd match point, winning 4-6, 6-1, 7-6.
Greg had rallied back admirably and forced the match to a 3rd set. He served well, at over 75% in the 3rd set and, having having been ahead in the tie-break, had not buckled when Polansky fought back, showing plenty of mental strength to win the tie-break and advance to the quarter finals.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #15

Aerial view of the Westlakes area

In Westlakes, Adelaide a hot day greeted the players for the first round of the singles. Third match on in the heat of the day, Greg was up against another Aussie, good friend and fellow New South Welshman 25 year-old Adam Feeney, a tough competitor who playes equally as well from the back of the court as serve and volleying, currently ran.ked just ahead of Greg at 298.
Adam served first and Greg took advantage of a tentative Feeney, obviously nervous for this first round encounter, breaking Feeney in the first game aided by a double fault by Feeney. Greg consolidated the break and then Feeney got into his stride to get to 1-2. But Greg kept the pressure on and broke Feeney again and then held again to lead 5-1. Feeney served to stay in the match but Greg got him to 15-40 and then was gifted the break and the set 6-1, when Feeney again double faulted, his fifth double fault of the set.


Greg all concentration as he plays a backhand

Greg held serve in the first game of the second set and then again had Feeney at break-point. Feeney fought back and saved two break points before clinching the game, rallying and getting to 2-2. Feeney then took advantage of a lapse by Greg, who faced his first break-point at 15-40. He saved the first but Feeney won the next to break Greg 3-2, then 4-2. Greg knuckled down and began the fight back, holding serve to love and then breaking Feeney to get back to 4-4. Greg then fought back from 0-30 to lead 5-4 but was unable to break Feeney, games going with serve to 6-6 and the tie-break.

Adam Feeney

Greg got off to a flyer in the tie-break, holding serve and then breaking Feeney twice to lead 3-0. Two goof point on his serve got him to 5-0, then he broke Feeney again to have 6 match points at 6-0, going on to win the tie-break 7-1 and the match 6-1, 7-6.
A good performance by Greg who took advantage of his opponents poor serving game, with Feeney serving 10 double faults for the match, and serving and returning well himself, despite being hindered by a slight stomach strain, wdahich he suffered in the cold weather in Burnie. He is not shedued to play tomorrow, so will play again on Thursday.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #14

 The Australian Pro-circuit moved to Westlakes, Adelaide for the second Challenger tournament of 2013. Greg, partnered again with James Duckworth, who was at school with Greg. albeit a few years younger, was scheduled for doubles on the first day.

Greg and James in action

Their opponents were Italians 22 year-old Alessandro Giannessi, who Greg had played in the singles in Burnie, and 25 year-old Andrea Arnaboldi.
The Aussies served first and, after both teams held serve for the first few games, were first to break serve. They held serve and then forced the Italians to save more break-points. Greg and James were unable to break again and saved a break point thewselves vefore serving out the first set 6-3.

The winners shakes hand with Arnaboldi and Gianessi

In the second set both teams swopped breaks of serve in getting the score to 3-3. The Aussies were then able to break the Italians again and served out the second set 6-4, winning the match 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the second round.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #13

With persistent rain washing out the play for the whole of Thursday, it was not until Friday that Greg and partner James Duckworth could take to court, and then only after all the back-logged singles matches were completed.

Partner James Duckworth

Their opponents in the first round were fellow Aussies 25 year-old Sam Groth, owner of the fastest recorded serve in Men's tennis, at 263 km/h, and 23 year-old Matt Reid.
Against the big serving Groth and the powerful yet consistent Reid, in the first set Greg and James managed to fashion four break point opportunities, in the sudden death deuce format of the doubles game, but could only convert once. Their opponents were more successful, breaking Greg and James twice in the first set, to win the set 6-4.

NSW's Matt Reid

 In the second set, their opponents increased the pressure and brought up four break-point opportunities, whilst presenting none of their own. The pressure told on Greg and James, who managed to save three of those break-point but could not prevent Groth and Reid from eventually breaking through, to get the decisive break and lead 5-4. they then confidently served out the last game to win the match 6-4, 6-4.

Big-serving Sam Groth

Not the best tournament for Greg, on his sixth visit to Tasmania for this tournament, or James, who lost first round in Burnie after reaching the second round of the Australian Open singles and having two marathon five-set matches in succession. They will now head to Westlakes in Adelaide for the next Challenger tournament.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #12

 

Burnie, Tasmania

A cold and drizzly day greeted the players for the second round of the Challenger tournament in Burnie. Greg was up against a good friend of his, 25 year-old Rubin Statham from New Zealand, currently ranked 340, who, as a solid baseline player, would be relishing playing in the conditions with the heavier, slowerballs. Greg and Statham had played against each other, with Greg slightly ahead in the head-to-head, and have trained together extensively, so know each other's games well.
Greg started the proceedings and held serve well, and then the rain came down, chasing the player's indoors for another three hours. Upon the resumption of play it was Statham who got the jump on Greg, breaking early to go to a 4-2 lead. Serving at over 75% first serves, Statham was able to hold off Greg, denying him any opportunity to break back and took the first set 6-4.
In the second set Greg was unchallenged on serve and held his serve easily. He set about breaking the serve of Statham and got him to deuce in five of his service games, bringing up break point twice. But Greg was unable to convert those chances, and with Statham serving at an incredible 85% of first serves, games went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6.

Rubin (Jose) Statham

Statham got off to a flyer in the tie-break and on the back of Greg starting with an aggressive double fault, two good 1st serves and another pressure double fault by Greg, Statham led 4-0. Greg set about reducing the gap, holding serve and breaking back one serve, to get to 4-5, Statham serving. But Statham continued his good serving, solid under presuure and won the last two points of the match to win the tie-break 7-4 and a hard fought match 6-4, 7-6.
Not the result Greg was looking for but Statham's good serving (88% with 77% won in the 2nd set) in difficult conditions, with slow balls made it a very difficult match for Greg. Double faults at crucial stages of the match by Greg was the difference ultimately.
Greg's first round doubles match was postponed until Thursday due to the rain, but with more rain forecast for Thursday it looks like he may not have a match on his birthday.
Happy Birthday Greg.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #11

 With the Australian Open 2013 done and dusted the Australian Tennis circus moved along to the venue for the first Aussie Pro-circuit event of the year, the $50k Challenger in Burnie, in northern Tasmania, near Launceston. Greg has played at Burnie quite often, getting to the finals twice, the first time being in his first Challenger tournament of his career. One of the last acceptances due to his low ranking at the acceptance cut-off date, Greg was grateful he did not have to go through three rounds of qualifying and was determined to take any opportunity the draw threw up as his first round match up. With a swathe of Australians in the field, Greg surprisingly drew a foreign player, unfortunately the No.7 seed, 22 year-old Italian Alessandro Giannessi, currently ranked 238 but boasting a high ranking of 126 in April last year.
With Greg serving first games went with the server to 2-2. Greg then lost his next service game to the left-handed Giannessi, but then immediately had Giannessi at 15-40, converting on the second opportunity to level the score at 3-3. It was short-lived though, as Giannessi reversed the score-line and broke Greg to again lead with a break of serve, serving with new balls to get to 5-3 up. Greg held his serve but although he got Giannessi to deuce in the next game he could not prevent Giannessi from serving out the set 6-4.

A view of Burnie, Tasmania

Greg said Giannessi did not play as a leftie normally plays and it took him awhile, until midway through the second set, to figure out how he was playing. With Greg again serving first in the second set, games went with the server, both playing confidently to 3-3. Greg then held serve to love with the new balls for a 4-3 lead and then pressurised Giannessi to 15-40, again converting on the second opportuity to break Giannessi and lead 5-3. In a mirror image of the first set Giannessi forced Greg to deuce as he served for the set but Greg withstood the pressure and held serve, winning the second set 6-3 and levelling the match at one set all.
Giannessi had the advantage of serving first in the 3rd set and games went to 1-1, 40-15. greg then pegged Giannessi back to deuce and brought up break-point, converting to lead 2-1. Giannessi fought back but Greg held firm from deuce, to lead 3-1. At 4-2 Giannessi managed to save another two separate break-points, which would have given Greg a double break lead, to keep the score close at 4-3. With new balls Greg held for a 5-3 lead and then got Giannessi to deuce. Greg got the advantage and had match point on Giannessi's serve and broke Giannessi for the second time in the set, to win the set 6-3 and a hard fought match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the second round.

Alessandro Giannessi


Greg said the match had started in realativel light wind, which increased quite a bit during the course of the match and then died down. He had struggled at first with Giannessi's "non-leftie" style of play and also with the older style Australian Open balls, which fluffed up quickly and got very slow. He countered Giannessi's style well in the latter part of the 2nd set and the 3rd set and maximised his opportinities with the new balls
when possible, and did not face a break-point in the 2nd and 3rd sets whilst creating six opportunities against Giannessi, converting three times.
Greg is playing doubles with James Duckworth but is scheduled to only play again on Wednesday.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #10

The second week of the Australian Open saw four of the out-side courts hosting a a different form of singles as the finals of the Asia-Pacific Tennis League took place. The Australian version of team tennis involving finalists from the Australian States as well as a from New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, who had qualified by winning their respective area leagues, is based on a similar scoring format as World Team tennis with shortened sets (best of three "first to four" sets, with a five point tie-break at 3-all, sudden death deuce games, sudden death tie-breaks and no lets), which makes for quick results and some surprise results.
Greg was playing for the NSW team ATP Sydney, comprising Adam Feeney, Greg, Matt Barton, Nick Lindahl and retired player, now coach Ryan Henry, led by coach Luke Bourgeois.

Greg in ATL colours

Seeded No. 2 out of eight teams, the ATP Sydney's first match, effectively a quarter final, was against the WA Giants. Greg, playing at No.2 faced up against Adam Carey, on his birthday, a relatively unknown older player. Carey started on fire and broke Greg early. Greg twice had Carey at 15-40 in the first set, but Carey rode his luck with some bet cord serve winners and good serve and volley winners, managing to hold serve and pouch the first set 4-1. Greg hit back, stepping up the pace and won the second set 4-1 and the deciding 3rd set 4-2. With all the Sydney players winning and backing up in the doubles as well, it was a clean sweep for Sydney, who advanced to the semi-final.

Michale Venus for the NZ Kauris


The semis had ATP Sydney face a sterner test in the form of the NZ Kauris, and Greg faced a good friend Michael Venus, who is currently ranked 514. Greg was moving so well and returned exceptionally and a sluggish Venus and broke Venus twice to take the first set 4-0. Venus tenaciously fought back and starting moving and serving better, breaking Greg to take the second set 4-2. Greg immediately got a break up in the 3rd set but Venus Broke back on a sudden death deuce and took the set to the 5 point tie-break at 3-3. Greg went ahead but Venus levelled and the match was decided on a sudden death point at 4-4, Venus winning that last point to win the match 4-1, 0-4, 4-3(4). The other three singles went the way of the Sydney side and the doubles were shared, Greg and Matt Barton winning 4-2, 4-2 over NZ's Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell, so the ATP Sydney won the semis and advanced to the finals.
On the other side of the draw the No.1 seeded Liston Seagulls from Melbourne, comprising Sam Groth, Matt Reid, Rubin Statham and James Lemke had reached the final having disposed of the strong Brisbane side led by John Millman. Adam Feeney was to play Groth, Greg faced up against Reid, Matt Barton had Statham and Nick Lindahl against Lemke.
Reid got the better of Greg in the first set, getting the vital break and winning 4-2. Greg hit back and broke Matt twice in the 2nd set to win it 4-0 and level the match at 1 set all. In the 3rd it was Greg who broke first to lead 2-1, but Reid pegged him back in the sudden death format and games went to the tie-break at 3-3.
Unfortunately Matt shaded Greg in the tie-break, winning the 3rd set 4-3 and a close match 4-2, 0-4, 4-3.

The victorious Liston Seagulls

The other matches were also close affairs, with 5 sets decided by a tie-break but the overall results going the way of the Victorian side. The doubles were shared, with Greg and Matt Barton getting a domicum of revenge in beating Groth and Reid 1-4, 4-1, 10-6, in yet another tie-break but the Liston Seagulls were the victors of the final by 4 rubbers to 2.
An interesting inaugural series which hopefully will expand in the future and receive better crowd support as it gains momentum.

OZ Summer 2012-13 #9



Warming up on Margaret Court Arena

The second round of the Men's Doubles at the Australian Open was scheduled as the 7pm match on Margaret Court Arena. Greg and partner Alex Bolt were drawn to meet the No.10 seeds but they were beaten by experienced doubles players Italian Daniele Bracciali and Czech Lukas Dlouhy. The 35 year old Bracciali is currently ranked 24 in doubles and, whilst now unranked in singles, boasts a career high ranking of 49. Similarly 29 year old Dlouhy is currently ranked 84 in doubles, with a high rank of 5 in 2009, with two Grand Slam doubles titles to his name. A very experienced and well credentialled doubles pairing, who will be a tough challenge for the Aussies, playing together for only the second time. 

Alex and Greg to receive

In front of a nearly full Margaret Court Arena, on a cool Melbourne evening, Greg opened the serving and held serve well, calming the Aussies nerves.

Dlouhy held serve and then young Bolt showed what he is capable of, stepping up and serving well to get the Aussies 2-1 up. But they were unable to make a dent in their opponents serve and at 2-2, after missing a few first serve Greg was broken, and games went to 4-2.

The Aussies were then again broken, allowing the Italian and Czech pairing to serve for the set. The Aussies pushed them to 40-30 but were not able to apply any more pressure and the set was gone, 6-2.

Greg serves a bomb



An early break in the second set saw the Aussies trail 1-3, but they played some good doubles tennis, using pace and good returning to overpower their more experienced opponents, and broke back to level the score at 4-4. Both pairings held for 5-5 and then Bolt served well to take the score to 6-5 up. Dlouhy stepped up to keep their team in the set and the Aussies attacked, quickly getting to 0-40, and have three set points. But Dlouhy came up with three first serves, nothing outstanding  



The Aussies change ends

but the Aussies were not able to get a return back and Dlouhy got back to deuce and then hit two bomb first serves to close out the game and take the set to the tie-break at 6-6.

The Aussies were quickly up a break in the tie-break but their opponents broke back and changed ends at 3-3, then led 4-3. With Greg serving Bolt missed a volley into the net and they fell behind 5-3. Greg then felt the pressure after missing his first serve and netted the second serve for a double fault, giving the Italian-Czech pairing 3 match points at 6-3, and on their serve. The Aussies played a great point to save the first match point but were unable to stop Dlouhy and Bracciali winning the tie-break 7-4 and a hard fought, entertaining match 6-2, 7-6.

Daniele Bracciali




Lukas Dlouhy

It was a pity the Aussies could not get that vital break at 6-5 in the 2nd set to take the match into the 3rd set, as there were signs that they were starting to rattle their opponents and were growing in confidence but it was not to be and the experience of their opponents was telling in the tie-break.

Greg was pleased that he had been part of the Australian Open 2013 and even more pleased with his and Alex Bolt's performances.