USA in the Autumn 2016 - Stockton #2

The second round of qualifying in Stockton, California saw Greg facing up against the No. 6 seed, 24 year-old Ecuadorian Emilio Gomez, currently ranked 252, with a high rank of 215 in July 2014.
Gomez led off, holding serve and then putting pressure on Greg, playing catch-up. They swopped breaks of serve and traded blows to 2-2. But Greg was struggling to hit the spots on his first serve, serving at 53% and winning only 55% of those serves, and Gomez capitalised, breaking Greg to go a break-up. He served out the set confidently, winning it 6-3.


Ecuadorian Emilio Gomez

Greg served first in the second set but was unable to improve on his serve percentages. Gomez kept the pressure on Greg and was able to convert that pressure, bringing up break point and breaking Greg, to again take the advantage. Greg fought back but Gomez saved four break points in the set to deny Greg and hold serve, games going to 5-3. Serving to stay in the match and force Gomez to serve for the set, Greg quickly got to 30-15, but then lost the next two points to bring up match point against him. He was unable to stop Gomez from breaking for a second time in the set, winning the set 6-3 and a hard fought match 6-3, 6-3.Greg was obviously disappointed in the result, and particularly his serve which let him down, but he had returned well and played well off the ground. He had created seven break-point opportunities but had only converted one of those chances, whilst Gomez had converted four of his nine chances. Another second round loss for Greg, who had a favourable draw and a long week of training awaits him before the next tournament.

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Stockton #1

Just a short drive north east of San Fransisco is the town of Stockton, venue of the next Challenger stop for Greg. In the qualifying, his first round opponent was young 22 year-old Englishman Lloyd Glasspool, near his highest ranking, this week at 292. It will be a tough test for Greg, as last week Glasspool beat Dennis Nevolo, the player to whom Greg had lost to at Tiburon.
On a gutsy wind day, Glasspool served first and after holding serve broke Greg to go 2-0 up. Greg hit back, breaking Glasspool to close the gap, only to have Glasspool break him again, to go 3-1 up, then consolidate the break for a 4-1 lead.
At 5-2, Glasspool vented some frustration, shouting that neither player could hit the ball out the middle of the racquet, and then Greg started to do so. He held serve then, with Glasspool serving for the set, he took advantage of Glasspool's frustration and broke him, to get the break back at 4-5. Greg held serve to level at 5-5, and then brought up break point on Glasspool's serve. Greg again converted to go 6-5 up and have a chance to serve for the set. Greg stepped up and pouched the set 7-5.

Englishman Lloyd Glasspool

Glasspool started the second set well, holding serve to lead 1-0, and Greg responded to level at 1-1. Greg then broke Glasspool to take the advantage, serving at 2-1. But before Greg could change sides to serve Glasspool came to the net and retired from the match. Greg was surprised but did note that Glasspool had his arm strapped, so assumed that Glasspool had determined he could not continue.
Greg said he had played well, especially on serve, but that the breezy conditions had may play difficult. Some luck for Greg, who was leading in the match.
 

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Tiburon #2

The second round of qualifying for the Tiburon Challenger saw Greg facing another tough match, this time against his house mate and good friend, 26 year-old Dennis Nevolo from the USA. Having knocked off the No. 4 seed in the first round, Greg would have been hoping for less of a challenge in the second round but Nevolo, ranked 485 this week, will be approaching the match as a good opportunity with the seed removed. He will fight just as hard as Greg to progress to the final round of qualifying and be hoping that Greg's long three set match, after a three week or longer lay-off, will slow him down just enough.

Serving first Greg did not get off to a good start, saving two break points before dropping his first service game, handing the advantage to Nevolo. Greg now had to play catch up. Nevolo was returning well and Greg again had to save break point to get to 1-2, then 1-3. He rallied and held serve for 2-3, then proceeded to reel in Nevolo, forcing him to break point and converting to level at 3-3. Then in a long game Greg saved another two break points to go a 4-3. Nevolo quickly held to love, to level at 4-4, and put the pressure straight back on Greg's serve. Again Nevolo got Greg to deuce, then break-point. Greg twice saved break points but could not save the third and Nevolo had the break, to lead 5-4 and serve for the set.

But Greg was not out yet, breaking Nevolo to again level the set, at 5-5, only for Nevolo to break again to serve for the match a second time at 6-5. Neither of them could hold serve! And Greg fought back and broke Nevolo once again to take the set to the tiebreak at 6-6.

Dennis Nevolo

Nevolo had been holding serve easier than Greg, serving only 23 points to Greg's 55 points up to the then, and this showed in the tie-break, Nevolo taking an early lead, breaking Greg and holding serve to go 3-0 up. He repeated the dose, breaking Greg twice more to go 5-0 up and then serving out the tie-break 7-0, dominating to win the first set 7-6.

The first set proved to be crucial. With that under his belt, and having forced Greg to serve double the amount than he had, Nevolo was able to attack a Greg's serve and broke him immediately to go out to a 3-0 lead, then forced Greg to 0-40. Greg saved two points but lost then next, Nevolo going a double break up, and taking a stranglehold on the match. Greg finally held serve but could not stop Nevolo from serving out the set 6-1 and winning the match 7-6(0), 6-1.

Greg had served well, with a high first serve percentage, but Nevolo had returned equally as well, and had restricted Greg to winning only 8 points on his second serve in the match, which made the difference. It will be a long week training and hitting for Greg, before the tournament next week.

USA in the Autumn 2016 - Tiburon #1

Greg had a busy three week break at home in Australia, recuperating from niggling shoulder and other injuries, applying for a USA visa which will give him more options for playing and travelling in the USA, \testing different racquet and string combinations and also training hard at Kooyong and Melbourne Park. Then Greg was again off to the USA for a series of Challenger tournaments. His first stop was Tiburon, just north of San Francisco city, for the $100,000 Wells Fargo tournament. Due to his current ranking, around 598, Greg was in qualifying and in the first round faced up against young 21 year old Italian Lorenzo Sonego, currently ranked 281, who will be a stern test for Greg.

Serving first, it was Greg who dominated the play, winning 100% of his first serves and 67% of his second serves, to not face a break point in the first set. He was returning well too, forcing Sonego to face three break points. Sonego managed to save one of those points but Greg converted the other two opportunities, breaking Sonego twice and serving out the first set 6-2.
Sonego fought back and got a better look at Greg's serve in the second set, winning more points and matching Greg. They both broke once in a tightly fought sets, with games going to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Sonego got an early mini-break to go to the first change of ends at 4-2 up. Greg served to get to 3-4, then broke Sonegro to get back on serve at 4-5. Remaining aggressive, Greg served an ace to level at 5-5 but then produced a double fault to present Sonego with set point at 5-6, rather than perhaps having match point. Sonego then snaffled the tie-break 7-5 and the second set 7-6, to tie the match up at a set-all.

Young Italian Lorenzo Sonego

Seeing the chance to win the match in straight sets disappear, Greg was undeterred, serving a good first game in the third set, then attacking Sonego's serve, forcing him to break point and converting, to lead 2-0. Sonego responded and immediately broke back, much to Greg's annoyance. Greg upped the pressure on Sonego's serve, returning well and again breaking the Italian to lead 3-1, then holding serve fro a 4-1 lead. But Sonego's resolve was not broken and he held serve himself, then proceeded to break Greg's serve again to get to 3-4. He then held again to level the third set at 4-4. In a critical game which went to deuce, Greg managed to hold serve to lead 5-4. He then put as much pressure on Sonego as possible, and at 40-30 Sonego buckled to Greg's returning pressure, and served two double faults in a row to hand match point to Greg. Greg was up to the task and thankfully broke the young Italian to win the third set 6-4, and a hard fought match 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-4.
Still two matches to win to qualify but a good first match for Greg. He was happy with his performance and his ability to go the three sets and win, and also happy with his new racquets and string combination.        

American Summer 2016 - Gatineau #3

Entry to the Centre

The second round of the singles in Gatineau, Challenger saw Greg matched up against former Canadian No.1 player Frank Dancevic, currently ranked 243. Thirty-one year old Dancevic has had a chequered career, with a high rank of 65, and is now attempting to make his way back up the ranking after a period of inactivity last year. Unseeded in this tournament, Dancevic knocked out the number 8 seed, and with the top two seeds out of the tournament, will be looking to progress further in the draw. A tough match for Greg but one of opportunity as the draw opens up.

The Gatineau Courts

On an extremely hot and humid day, with temperatures in the upper 30s, Greg opened the serving, holding serve then immediately having the first opportunity to break, with Dancevic at 15-40. Two missed returns by Greg allowed Dancevic get back to deuce and hold serve. They then swopped breaks of serve, Greg courtesy of a dead net cord, to get an eventful start of the set to 2-2. They both then saved break of serve opportunities against each other to get to 3-3. Dancevic then broke Greg to go ahead 4-3, then held serve to lead 5-3. Greg fought back, holding serve for 4-5, then having half a chance with Dancevic at 0-30, But Dancevic raised his game and three first serves in a row saw him bring up set point, converting to win the set 6-4.
Both players served well at the start of the second set, playing confidently to quickly get to 3-3 in the hot conditions. Then a few errors saw Greg staring at three break points against him at 0-40. A good serve, another well played point, followed by an ace saw him get out of that jam and hold serve, to go 4-3 up. He then immediately capitalised, forcing Dancevic to 15-40 and having two chances to break. But this time Dancevic emulated Greg, saving three break points in staving off the challenge from Greg and levelling the score at 4-4.

Canadian Frank Dancevic

Both players held serve to get to 5-5, then Greg went down 0-30, giving Dancevic a sniff. An ace brought it back to 15-30, but then Dancevic  brought up virtual match point, having two opportunities to break at 15-40. A very, very close line call went Dancevic's way and Greg was broken, giving Dancevic a chance to serve for the match, which he did in style closing out the set and the match with an ace, to win 6-4, 7-5.
A match of lost opportunity for Greg. he had served well and had generally performed well, except on those break point opportunities where he committed too many errors trying to close out the point too quickly. The heat and humidity had been a problem for both players who tried to keep the points as short as possible in the conditions.
And so ends Greg's American summer of 2016, with a modicum of success in the last tournament, qualifying and winning a round, but not with the overall success during the summer for which he had fought so hard. After a trip to see the Niagara Falls he will make his way back to Australia to renew his US visa, recharge, train and plan for the rest of the year.

American Summer 2016 - Gatineau #2

The main court at Gatineau

Having qualified and now in the main draw of the $75,000 Gatineau Challenger, in Quebec, Canada Greg was hoping for a kind draw to avoid a seeded player and his luck was in, giving Greg the opportunity to try and win two matches in a row, something he has not done for awhile, and also for him to build into the tournament, if he wins.


Brayden Schnur representing Canada
 at the 2015 Pan Am Games

His opponent was wild card recipient, 21 year-old Canadian Brayden Schnur, currently ranked 772, with a high rank of 456. With Greg serving first, Greg was quickly into the zone, holding serving with ease and breaking Schnur to go out to a handy lead. Greg was untroubled as he did not have to face a break point in the set, breaking Schnur again to go a double break up, then serving out the set 6-1.Greg picked up his serve percentage in the second set, serving at over 75% for the set, but Schnur was reading the serve a bit better and he forced Greg to face three break points in the set. Greg was up to the task, saving the breaks against him and then hitting back himself, breaking Schnur twice in the set to win the set 6-2, and the match 6-1, 6-2.
A good match and result for Greg, who said he had played well but said that there was a fine line between winning or losing and luck had gone his way today, with everything he did working.
So two wins in a row at last, and no doubt a much tougher match waiting for him in the second round.  

American Summer 2016 - Gatineau #1

Greg stayed in Granby for a few days, sharing a room and hitting with good friend James Ward, before heading for Montreal and some site seeing with more friends. Then it was off to Gatineau for the qualifying for the next Challenger. In a much weaker, small 16 men draw, no doubt due to the Olympics and other numerous other tournaments, Greg was seeded No. 2 and had a bye in the first round.

Canadian Thomas Susen

In the second and final round of qualifying Greg was up against relative newcomer, 22 year-old Canadian Thomas Susen currently unranked, who had nevertheless won his first round match. Greg was untroubled on serve in the first set, and managed to get the crucial break of serve against Susen, winning the set 6-3.

The second set was a bit closer, Greg's serve percentage dropping slightly in the beginning of the set and they swopped break of serves. Greg steadied and improved his concentration and serve, getting back even in games, then breaking Susen again to win the second set 6-4, and the match 6-3, 6-4.

So through to the main draw at long last after too many close matches that went the way of his opponents.

Now for a decent draw so he can have a chance of winning two matches in a row, and he can start working on improving his ranking.

American Summer 2016 - Granby #2

Greg's next opponent in the second round of the Granby Challenger could have shared transport to the courts with him as they were staying together in an Airbnb residence in Granby, as the town's hotels were full due a number of events over the weekend. 24 year old Italian Eric Crepaldi, currently ranked 412, with a high rank of 262 has not set the tennis world alight but has amassed  six Futures singles titles and numerous double titles over the years and will be another tough test in Greg's attempt to qualify and work his way back up the rankings.

Granby Courts

Greg had the better of the exchanges in the first set, managing to save four break points during the set while converting both the opportunities he created to go a double break and win the first set 6-2. The second set was a closer affair, and this time it was Crepaldi, serving at 73%, who managed to save four break points, denying Greg a break. Greg was serving well, winning a high percentage of his serves but Crepaldi managed to break Greg once out of three chances to snare the second set 6-4, taking the match to the third set.

Leftie Italian Eric Crepaldi

With Greg serving first, both players were feeling the pressure and serve percentages dropped slightly, both players dropping serve once in getting to 3-3. Greg then held serve to lead 4-3, and then managed to bring up a critical break-point on Crepaldi's serve. Crepaldi's shot was called out, then over-ruled by the umpire, much to Greg's chagrin, and the chance was gone. Greg said it was a 50-50 call and he was unlucky not to get the break. Crepaldi held for 4-4, then 5-5. Greg was feeling the effects of the long game and Crepaldi forced him to break-point, converting to break Greg and take a decisive 6-5 lead. Despite Greg's best efforts Crepaldi served out the set 7-5, winning a close fought match 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Greg was bitterly disappointed but said he had played well. There was very little between the players. Neither had dominated but Greg felt he was a tad unlucky in not winning the second or third set, considering the chances he had created. More work to be done.