Oz Summer 2012-13 #18

The quarterfinal round of the singles at Westlakes presented an interesting but tough and unpredictable opponent for Greg in the form of the Australian Open Junior Champion for 2013, young Australian 17 year-old Nick Kyrgios, from Canberra, already ranked 843 in the ATP rankings. Kyrgios is flush with his success in the Juniors, now ranked as the No. 1 in the world, is tall with a strong build for a junior player, and has a big game with a huge serve, and full of confidence with nothing to lose will be able to swing freely and go for his shots, a bit of an unknown for Greg to face.

Australian Open Junior Singles Champion 2013

And Kyrgios came out swinging, breaking Greg in the first service game, despite Greg serving four first serves. Greg fought back, bringing up break-point on Kyrgios' serve but Kyrgios was able to save and hold serve, to consolidate the break. Greg held and so did Kyrgios before Kyrgios again broke Greg to lead 4-1, with a double break. Greg rallied and brought up break-point on Kyrgios' serve and this time converted to get back to 5-2. But Kyrgios came out swinging again and broke Greg again to lead 5-2. Not to out-done, with Kyrgios serving for the set, Greg forced Kyrgios to 15-40, but Kyrgios saved both of those points before Greg again brought up break-point and this time was succesful, getting back a break at 3-5, then holding serve to force Kyrgios  to again serve for the set at 5-4. With the bravado of youth, given a second chance, Kyrgios served out the game to love, winning the first set 6-4.

Greg plays a backhand

Greg held his first service game of the second set as did Kyrgios. Then Greg had two game points but could not convert before Kyrgios brought up a break point, converting to lead 2-1, then 3-1. Greg then saved two break points from 15-40 and held serve, to keep the score close at 2-3. Greg was again forced to save two break pints in a long deuce game, before again holding for 3-5. Games went with serve to 5-4, with Greg unable to make any in-roads on Kyrgios's serve, with Kyrgios serving to close to 80% and winning most of those 1st serves. Then, with Kyrgios serving for the match and still serving well, Greg saved match point and forced Kyrgios to deuce and then broke him, to unexpectedly level the match at 5-5.
One would have thought the lesser experienced player in Kyrgios would now start to have doubts and back off a bit, but he did not. He came on even forced Greg to 0-40 and broke him again, to lead 6-5 and have another chance at serving out the match, which he did with aplomb this time, winning the set 7-5, and the match 6-4, 7-5.
Greg said he had not played badly and that Kyrgios  was just swinging at everything and they were landing. It was difficult to counter with Kyrgios who was serving at such a high percentage, and although Greg served well, at 60%, Nick had returned even better, going for his shots with success. A pity for Greg who is in good form but not able to serve at his best with a slight stomach muscle strain. Hope he recovers soon.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #17

Another view of Westlakes

Following his two hour long singles match, and after a warm-down and a quick lunch, Greg had to prepare for their second round doubles match at Westlakes, Adelaide. Opposing him and partner James Duckworth were the Japanese pairing of Hiroki Moriya and Yuichi Sugita. Sugita is the No.1 seed in the singles, ranked 140 and Moriya is the No.2 seed, ranked 174, so both can play a bit, but how would they go in doubles?

Greg & James

Games went with serve to 2-2, to the Aussie team, before they forced the Japanese pair to 15-40, which in the sudden death format, presented three break points. But the Japanese were able to fight back and hold serve, games going to 3-3. The Aussie then broke to lead 4-3, serving out the set 6-4.

Yuichi Sugita

With Greg and James serving well, with 4 aces in their first two games, they put the pressure on their higher ranked opponents, breaking to lead 3-2, then holding serve and breaking again to lead 5-2. 

Hiroki Moriya

The Japanese pair were not done and broke back and then held serve themselves to get to 4-5 and put the pressure back on the Aussies to serve for the set and match, for the second time. This time the Aussies rose to the challenge and won the game, winning the set 6-4 and the match 6-4, 6-4, to progress to the semi-finals of the doubles.

A good day at the office for Greg with two wins on the day.

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.