American Summer 2016 - Winston Salem #1

Winston Salem, North Carolina was the next destination for Greg, for another $25k Futures tournament. The draw was again fair to Greg, avoiding a seed for is first round match, but throwing up another challenge in the form of a top USA Junior, 2015 Wimbledon champion 18 year-old Reilly Opelka. Standing at 2.13m tall, almost exactly 7 foot high, solidly built Opelka resembles big serving Sam Querrey, but perhaps a bit more athletic looking. Opelka reached the doubles final, as well as winning the singles, at Wimbledon, and is already ranked an impressive 870 in his short pro-tour career.

Tall Reilly Opelka alongside Mikael Ymer at Wimbledon

Serving first, Opelka was quickly into raining down the aces, serving two aces in holding his first serve, then quickly took the attack to Greg's serve, breaking Greg despite Greg having game point twice, to lead 2-0. Greg fought back, however, and although Opleka again served two ace, broke the lanky American, then held serve to level at 2-2. Serves then dominated, with aces being served by Opelka and Greg maintaining a high percentage of first serves, games going with serve to 6-5, Opelka leading. He then applied the pressure on Greg, bringing up break-point on Greg's serve, to bring up set point. Greg saved with an ace, then again presented Opelka another set-point after a double fault. Again Greg rose to the occasion, saving then having game point, then saving another break point, before finally holding serve in a marathon game, to take the set to the tie-break.

Opelka serving at Roland Garros

Alas, Opelka was the first to gain a mini-break, racing to a 4-1 lead. Greg held for 4-2 but was then broken again,Opelka serving out the tie-break 7-2 to snare the first set 7-6.
With Greg serving first, it was Greg's turn to dominate, holding serve easily, then returning well, forcing Opelka to deuce in his first two service games. Then at 3-2 Greg managed to bring a break point opportunity of the massive Opelka serve, but Opelka rose to the occasion and held to deny Greg the break. Greg was in a good rhythm and matched Opelka, not facing a break point in the second set, games going to the tie-break at 6-6.
Unfortunately Greg did not get off to a good start, losing the first point and going 0-3 down quickly. Opelka had the bit between his teeth now and broke Greg twice more in succession, to go to a 5-0 lead, serving out the tie-break 7-0, shutting out Greg and winning the second set 7-6, and a closely fought contest in straight sets 7-6, 7-6.
Opelka had served 15 aces in the match, countered by 6 double faults and will be a force to be reckoned with on the Men's Pro-tour in the years to come, if he maintains that form. Just Greg's luck to encounter him today. Greg had played well, served at 69%, winning over 73% and returned well, getting Opelka to deuce or break-point in 4 games, but just not in the tie-breaks.
 

American Summer 2016 - Charlottesville #5

The weekend began with Greg still involved in the Charlottesville Futures, in the doubles final with Rubin Statham, up against an American pairing of 21 year old Thai-son Kwiatkowski and 22 year-old Mac Styslinger, both with relative new ATP rankings around 2000, due to playing US College tennis, where they would have gained some invaluable doubles play experience.


Thai-son Kwiatkowski

In steaming hot conditions, on lively courts, it was Greg and Rubin who had the first real opportunity at 1-1, on the back of two double faults from the Americans, but they were unable to convert either of the two points and the  Americans held. Games went with serve to 4-3, the Americans up, then a double fault by Rubin at 30-30 gave the Americans a chance and they broke to lead 5-3. Greg and Rubin were straight back, immediately breaking back in the next game to get back on serve. But they were unable to draw level, the Americans forcing them to deuce, to bring up set point on the deciding sudden death deuce point, converting to pouch the set 6-4.Greg and Rubin then had the Americans facing double break point in the first service game but the Americans again denied them, saving the break point with an ace then winning the sudden deuce point. At 2-1, a poor game by Greg and Rubin gifted the Americans the first break in the second set, and a 3-1 lead.


Mac Styslinger

Despite having to save another sudden death deuce point in the next game, to lead 4-1, the Americans had the momentum. They pegged Greg and Rubin back from 40-0 to again win a sudden death deuce point and take a double break lead at 5-1, serving out the set to love, to win the set 6-1 and the match 6-4, 6-1.Greg said is was a disappointing and frustrating match. Rubin and himself had not played their best tennis, and the match was still just decided on a point or two. The Americans had won all the sudden death deuce points and taken all of their chances, which made a big difference. The stats were almost all in their favour, except for the decisive break points won/saved statistic. Greg said Rubin had not returned well, normally his strength, and Greg had not volleyed at his best, normally his strength. So very frustrating, but something to turn around next time.
A good week overall, but with much room for improvement, especially in the singles, with the player who beat Greg, Tennys Sandren contesting the finals and going on to win the tournament..

American Summer 2016 - Charlottesville #4

In the semi-finals of the doubles in the Charlottesville Futures, Greg and partner, Kiwi Rubin Statham, were up against the also unseeded pairing of 25 year old Zimbawean Takanyi Garanganga and 26 year old American Dennis Nevolo, both experienced campaigners with singles rankings around the 480 mark.

Takanyi Garanganga

Greg and Rubin started well, holding serve and then breaking to lead 2-0. Their opponents fought back immediately, getting Greg and Rubin to 0-40, however were unable to break as Greg and Rubin won the next four points to win the game, and lead 3-0. They then had another break-point chance at sudden-death deuce on the Garanganga/Nevolo serve to go a double break up but were unable to convert the opportunity. Games then went with serve to 5-3, and Greg and Rubin served out the first set to win it 6-3.

Dennis Nevolo

The second set saw games go with serve to 2-2 when Greg and Rubin then broke to go 3-2 up. Again, just after breaking their opponents serve, they were forced to defend break points, at 15-40, and again did so, going 4-2 up. Both teams held to get to 5-3, then Greg and Rubin broke serve again to wrap up the set 6-3 and the match 6-3, 6-3, and proceed to the final.
They play the final tomorrow, up against a strong young American pairing, a lot tougher challenge for Greg and Rubin. 

American Summer 2016 - Charlottesville #3

The second round of the singles in the Charlottesville Futures saw Greg up against the fourth seed, 24 year American Tennys Sandgren, currently ranked 307, but with a high rank similar to Greg of 183. Greg and Sandgren had not played each other in the singles main draw of a Pro-tour event, so it would be an interesting encounter.
Greg started off well, holding serve, then crafting an early break point opportunity on Sandgren's first service game. But a back hand down the line by Sandgren which caught the line, saved the point and Sandgren held. After that he served really well and Greg was unable to make any inroads into the Sandgren serve. Games went with serve to 3-3, then Greg's serve deserted him, serving 3 double faults in dropping his serve, to go 3-4 down. He tried to fight back but Sandgren held firm to pouch the first set 6-4.

Aptly named Tennys Sandgren

The second set saw Greg again serve two double faults, in the first game, the second of which was on break-point, gifting Sandgren another break. Sandgren held confidently, and then with the momentum with him played a really good game to break Greg again, and take a stranglehold on the match. Greg was kind of shell-shocked after that, and with a low percentage of first serves, the match got away from him, Sandgren holding and breaking again, then serving out the match to win the second set comprehensively 6-0, and the match 6-4, 6-0.
Greg said he had played ok but had not given himself any chance of winning the match by serving so poorly. Sandgren in comparison had served really well on the fast courts and only given Greg that one chance in the match, and was too good on the day, bundling Greg out of the singles. Sandgren went on to win the tournament.
Greg and Rubin will play their semi-finals in the doubles tomorrow.

American Summer 2016 - Charlottesville #2

Having a lay-day in the singles Greg still had the matter of the second round of the doubles to contend with in Charlottesville. Partner Rubin Statham and Greg were up against a College combination of USA's John Richmond and Swiss Alexander Ritschard, both currently unranked in the doubles at the moment. It was a good hit out for Greg and Rubin, who were untroubled in beating their lesser experienced opponents 6-1, 6-2, to advance to the semi-finals of the doubles.

American Summer 2016 - Charlottesville #1

After almost a month of not playing competitive tennis, recuperating from a groin strain, attending friends Guy and Adene's wedding in LA, and training hard to get back to peak fitness, it was back to the USA for the summer, a F25 Futures tournament in Charlottesville Greg's first tournament of this tour. Greg's first round opponent was 22 year old USA college player Jonathan Ho, currently ranked 1985.

Snyder Tennis Centre

On a steaming hot day, it was an early 9am start for Greg, who got off to a great start, holding serve then breaking Ho and holding serve again to go to a 3-0 lead. Despite serving at below 50%, a run of 11 points in a row saw him go further ahead, to 5-0, showing that his all court game was in good shape. However, Greg was unable, to finish Ho off. Ho gamely saved two set points against him, eventually holding serve for the first time in a long deuce game, and playing himself into some form and confidence. Greg then served out the set 6-1.

Jonathan Ho

Serving first Ho was relieved to again hold serve to lead 1-0 in the second set, and now it was Greg who was playing catch-up and having pressure put on him to hold serve. Games went with serve to 3-2, Ho leading, when Greg was forced to fend off a break point opportunity. He served his way out of trouble, and responded by breaking Ho to lead 4-3. Inexplicably Greg then served a poor service game, saving one break point before handing the break back to Ho. With Ho now having the momentum he held serve and forced Greg to face set point against him at 5-6. Again Greg rose to the challenge, saving two break points before taking the set to the tie-break at 6 games all. 

It was a very relieved Greg who broke Ho on the first point, of the tie-break then swapped breaks to change end at 3-3. Greg the upped the ante and reeled off 3 points to have three match points at 6-3. Ho saved the first point but was unable to deny Greg the win, Greg winning the tie-break 7-4, and the match 6-1, 7-6.

Greg had let Ho build some confidence at the end of the first set by not closing out the set quickly, and then was forced to play from behind as Ho had the benefit of serving first in the second set. Overall he had played well, in what Greg described a very hot conditions, but he had not served well and gave Ho a look at a lot of second serves. Greg served 7 aces, all in the second set, countered by 5 double faults so will have to improve on his serve.

In the doubles, Greg was playing with good friend Rubin Statham, and they came through their match competently, up against local teenagers Justin Butsch and Alex Rybakov, winning 6-3, 6-3.

Away in Asia - Autumn 2016 #10

Greg took to the courts for his second round qualifying match in Busan a little apprehensively, not because his opponent was the No.5 seed Jimmy Wang from Taipei, ranked 330, but because he could still feel the strained abductor muscle in his groin, which was causing discomfort and could inhibit his movement. The last time Greg had played Wang, who has a high rank of 85, was two years ago in California in a miserable rainy and windy day, and Wang had delivered the one and only double bagel score-line Greg has had in his career. Things could only be better this time. 
Games went with serve until 2-2, then Greg was broken by Wang. Greg was feeling the strained abductor, and so had an injury time-out to get some treatment, and was seriously considering not continuing. But he was hitting the ball well and was pretty competitive, even on one leg, so decided to keep playing. He managed to stay close to Wang, and then broke him, to take the set to the tie-break. 
In the tie-break it was Wang who got the decisive break, and maintained the gap to win it 7-3 and go a set up. 
In the second set, games went with serve until 2-3. Greg was then forced to save break point to win the game and level at 3-3. His movement was restricted, unable to get much leg action on serve and lacking explosive movement to the one side, and Wang capitalised, moving Greg around. He held serve for 4-3, then attacked and broke Greg's serve, to serve for the match at 5-3. There was nothing Greg could do to stop Wang, who wrapped up the match 76(3), 6-3.
It was along shot for Greg to beat Wang even if fully fit, but he said he had competed and played well, and had performed well even carrying a muscle strain. His upper leg/groin area was sore but he did not think there was anything that would not repair with rest, which he will now have, taking a couple of weeks off to recuperate and attend his friend's Guy and Adine's wedding in Los Angeles.
Upon reflection the Asian your had been only moderately successful, Greg playing well and qualifying for two tournaments, but with no main draw wins, although he had some very close matches. His fitness was the best it had been for over two years and he had got through a few of long three set matches well, but now had a niggling injury to deal with.  

Away in Asia - Autumn 2016 #9

Greg and Filip Peliwo were unable to play their second round doubles match in An-Ning as Greg had a bit of tenderness in his right shoulder,  so did not want to aggravate the shoulder in a doubles match when he had the singles to play in qualifying on the weekend, in the next tournament in Busan, Korea. A $100k + hospitality challenger, the opposition would be a lot tougher in this higher level event. And so it proved to be.  

They managed to get to Busan to get in a couple of practise sessions on the hard court surface, having been on clay for the past two week, so at least were adjusting to the different surface. Greg avoided a seeded player in the first round but was still up against a difficult opponent, 28 year old Australian riding star Oliver Anderson, who had created a stir in Australia in the beginning of the year, winning the Australian Open Junior singles title and showing a lot of promised the Men's tour, getting his ranking down to 670. Unfortunately he tore a muscle in his hip in the final and has been out of tennis since mid February recuperating. This would be his first match back and would be a quite unknown quantity for Greg to play. 

Australian Open Junior Champion

With Anderson serving first Greg was quickly on the front foot, breaking Anderson, then consolidating the break with a quick hold of serve to lead 2-0. Greg then capitalised further on a nervous start by Anderson, and serving well himself broke Anderson twice more. Greg shut Anderson out completely on his serve, denying him a single point, to win the set 6-0. 

He again broke Anderson in the first game of the second set but the served a shocker with the new balls and allowed Anderson to break back to level at 1-1, giving Anderson a sniff at getting back into the match. Greg righted the situation be breaking Anderson a fifth time to again have he break advantage in the set. But in what he described as the worst set he has played Greg served poorly, play badly and was broken twice more to get to 3-5 down, giving the Aussie junior a chance to serve for the set. Greg fought back breaking Anderson again to get back to 4-5 but then again dropped his serve for the fourth time in the set, losing the set 4-6 and presenting  Anderson the chance of winning the match.

Oliver Anderson at the Open

After a comfort break, Greg was determined to start the set well and knuckle down to play some decent tennis again.  He broke Anderson early to lead 1-2, then saved a break-point in consolidating the break. He was back in the zone and broke Anderson once more before serving out the set 6-2, to win the match 6-0, 4-6, 6-2.

Greg said he should have won in straight sets but was troubled by a slight groin strain he had picked up in training the previous day and it had distracted him in the second set. He was worried about it after the match, as it had progressively hampered his movement, but he was able to turn into around and get the win. Now to see the physio to get some treatment on that groin strain.