Autumn in the States 2017 #6

 It was off to Fairfield this weekend for the qualifying for the next Challenger tournament. Greg's first round opponent was 22 year-old Mexican Lucas Gomez, currently ranked 904, with a high ranking of 463 achieved in April 2016. After a run of losses Greg will be keen to perform well and hopefully get another win under his belt.



Fairfield Rancho Salerno centre

Both players showed sign of nerves at the start, Greg dropping his first service games to give Gomez an immediate advantage, only for Greg to immediately break back to level the score at 1-1. They both then settled down and games went with serve to 3-3. Greg was serving erratically with numerous aces, countered by double faults, and Gomez forced Greg to break point, only to have Greg serve another ace to deny Gomez the break, then wrapped up the game with another ace. Crisis averted, games went with serve to the tie-break at 6-6. Greg served well in the tie-break, whilst Gomez struggled to find his first serve and it was Greg who took the advantage at 3-2 up, breaking Gomez twice to go to a 5-2 lead, then serve out the tie-break 7-2, to pouch the first set 7-6.


Mexican Lucas Gomez

Greg was quick out of the blocks in the second set, breaking Gomez first game. But in a mirror of the first set, this time it was Gomez who fought back to break back and level at 1-1. Greg rallied and had Gomez at 0-40, but Gomez denied him all three break point opportunities with three good first serves to go 2-1 up. At 3-2 up Gomez broke Greg to lead 4-2, then ran away with the set, holding serve and then breaking Greg again, to win the set 6-2, and take the match into the third set.Gomez now had the momentum, despite Greg serving 19 aces, but with 10 double faults, and Greg had battle on his hands. But Greg was not going away. He immediately forced Gomez to save a break-point in the first set to get to 1-0. Greg and Gomez then held serve comfortably, games going to 4-3 with no further break point opportunities or deuces. Greg then lost the first two points of his serve to trail 0-30, but rallied to pull back, winning the game with another ace, to get to 4-4. He then upped the pressure on Gomez, forcing Gomez to 0-40, and converting the first break-point opportunity to take a critical 5-4 lead, and serve for the match. He did so to love, winning the last 12 points of the set, to win the match 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-4.
Greg said it took him the first set to adjust to the quick pace of the Fairfield courts, then played a good tie-break. He should have put away the match at the start of the second set, but played patchily for the set. He slowly got back into the groove at the start of the third set, and finished very strongly at the end. It was good to win a close match and his body felt great after the match. Hopefully he can replicate that good finish in the second round match.

Autumn in the States 2017 #5

The next Challenger tournament on the calendar took Greg to Stockton in California. Playing in qualifying he did not get the best of draws, but still a winnable match, up against his peer, 28 year old Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez. Not as successful in the Juniors as Greg, Gonzalez had since been a consistent performer and had successfully made the transition to the ATP tour, attaining a top 100 ranking, with a ranking high of 70 attained in June 2014. However, since mid 2015 Gonzalez's tennis has been in slow decline and this year his ranking has slipped to a current low of 460. Now on the come-back trail he was required to play qualifying and will be a tough match for Greg. 

Eve Zimmerman Tennis Centre

Serving first, Greg was quickly into the first game but Gonzalez pegged him back to deuce and forced Greg to save break point to hold serve. Greg again had game points in his second service game, but was again forced to deuce and then had to save two break points, to get the score to 2-1. He then forced Gonzalez to face a break point, but Gonzalez denied Greg, games going to 2-2. But Greg was serving at below 50% and Gonzalez was attacking his second serve, this time breaking Greg on the second opportunity to go a break up, then hold serve to consolidate his lead at 4-2. Greg was again under the pump in his next service game, and saved multiple break points, but could not win two points in a row, eventually being broken after saving five break points, to trail 2-5. Gonzalez  served out the next game to win the set 6-2.

Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez

The first game of the second set saw Gonzalez maintain his momentum, getting Greg to 15-40, Fighting back Greg got the game back to deuce but could not create a game point, and lost his serve to trail 0-1, then 0-2 as Gonzalez  held serve confidently. The third game was another marathon game for Greg, as he saved 8 break points and had multiple deuces, but again could not get the vital game point, dropping serve again, to go 0-3 down. He could not make any in-roads on Gonzalez serve, with Gonzalez running away with the set at the end, to win the set 6-0, and the match with a lop-sided score-line of 6-2, 6-0.
Greg said he had not played badly, his serve improving throughout the match, and that the score did not reflect the match, nor his effort in saving a mammoth 17 break-points, but still not making any headway in the match. He said the match was a strange one with no tournament atmosphere at all - it was the last match on late in the day, they had no ball boys and the only spectator was Gonzalez's coach.  

Autumn in the States 2017 #4

Tiburon Peninsula

In the second round of qualifying for the Tiburon Challenger Greg had a tough draw, up against the No.1 qualifying seed, 29 year old American Tim Smyczek. Currently ranked 189.  Smyczek has been a top 100 player, with a singles high ranking of 68 achieved in 2015, so a tough match up for Greg. Smyczek leads the head to head 1-0, winning their only previous match in straight sets at the Tallahassee Challenger in 2013.
The first set was a close fought affair, with Greg serving at a high percentage, whilst Smyczek was winning all his second serves, dominating from the baseline. It was Smyczek who crafted the only break- point opportunity of the set, snaring the vital break and going on to win the first set 6-4. 

No. 1 seed Tim Smyczek

In the second set Smyczek applied even more pressure, and when Greg's first serve percentage dipped, he was able to break Greg twice. Smyczek held serve to go 5-1 up and then broke Greg a third time to run away with the second set 6-1, winning the match 6-4, 6-1.
A disappointing loss for Greg in a tough assignment. It will be back to the practise courts for another week until the next tournament.
Greg was due to play in the doubles qualifying with compatriot Matt Barton, who like Greg is on the come-back trail after a long time off with injury, but it was not to be as Barton strained a muscle in his leg and was unable to take to the court, gifting their opponents a walk-over.

Autumn in the States 2017 #3

Qualifying for the $100k Tiburon Challenger was the next stop for Greg. His opponent was another ex-USA college player, 25 year old Nick Chappel, currently ranked 904, with a high rank of 627 last year. He will be a stern test for Greg.
Serving first Greg was untroubled on serve, serving at a high percentage and only losing 5 points on his serve in the first set. He was also able to create opportunities on Chappel's serve, having four break opportunities but being unable to convert, games going with serve to 5-5. Greg held to lead 6-5, then once again brought up a break point opportunity on Chappel's serve, this time converting and finally breaking Chappel, to deservedly win the set 7-5,

The Tiburon Centre

The second set was in sharp contrast to the first. Again serving first Greg found himself facing double break-point at 15-40 in his first three service games. He saved in the first game, and repeated the effort in his second service game, to get to 2-1. But he could not repeat again in the third service game, dropping serve to trail 2-3, then 2-4. Chappel was now holding his serve quite easily so Greg needed to look after his own serve and be patient and put the pressure back on Chappell. Games went with serve to 4-5 Chappel leading with the break.

Nick Chappel

With Chappel serving for the set at 5-4 and 30-15 it looked like the match was heading for the third set but then Greg produced his best tennis, winning the next four points to break Chappel and level the set at 5-5.   
Both players held serve to get the set to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break Greg took the early advantage to break Chappel and lead 2-1, then held serve to get to 4-1. Chappel could not find a first serve, whilst Greg was serving well and Greg broke Chappel twice more to win the tie-break 7-1, the set 7-6 and the match 7-5, 7-6.
Greg was relieved and happy to get a win. He said he had generally played well and his body had felt good. It was a close match out of which Greg can take some confidence and now get some more valuable match court time.

Autumn in the States 2017 #2

Greg’s next tournament was the $15k Futures tournament hosted by the Laguna Niguel Racquet Club in California. Scheduled as one of the last Round 1 matches on, Greg was up against local American 26 year old Conor Berg, currently ranked 1031 with a high rank of 918, who has not played regularly on the Pro Circuit, having played mainly in the USA College competitions. Conor had come through qualifying to the main draw.
In the first set Greg held service but could not get a break on the serve of Berg, games going to the tie-break at 6-6. In the tie-break it was Greg who gained the ascendancy and ran off with the set, winning the tie-break 7-1.
In the second set Greg, in the failing light of dusk, fell behind a break, to trail at 2-5. He managed to get the break back, and at 5-6, the lights were turned on. Greg said perhaps they should have stopped playing then, as the lights were not up to standard, but he had the momentum, having come back from 2-5, and they continued into the tie-break, Greg keen to finish the match. In the tie-break Greg had two match point opportunities, both on Berg’s serve, but Berg hit a good serve on the first point to deny Greg. Then on the second point Greg missed a waist high volley after working the point in a 15 shot rally. He was not too happy, especially when Berg ended up winning the tie-break 10-8, and the set 7-6, to take the match into a third set. And into another day - because play was suspended due to the poor lighting, with the match delicately poised at one set all.

Conor Berg

The next day it was back onto court to resume the Round 1 match, but only after a lengthy delay for rain. Greg said he did not play well in the third set, playing a poor game to go an early break-down. He rallied to get the break back, but then serving at 40-15 served a double fault, then made two errors and lost his serve again. He had a break-point opportunity the next game on Berg's serve, to get back on serve, but failed to convert. He was unable to break Berg again, with Berg winning the set 6-3, and a close fought match 6-7(1), 7-6(8), 6-3.
Greg was annoyed with the fact that he did not finish off the match on the first day, But it is only his second pro-tour match in almost six months, so will take some positives out of the match and work on the areas of his play that requires attention.

Autumn in the States 2017 #1

After what seems an eternity, with Greg last playing at the end of March, Greg was finally fit and injury free and ready to take the challenge that is the Men's professional tennis world tour. Multiple injuries - knee and wrist mainly, with a torn calf muscle thrown in (incurred whilst training), have kept Greg off the professional circuit and struggling to shake those injuries and get his fitness back up to the required level. His recovery has been a slow one, with injuries flaring up again but he has stuck to the task. He has spent the last five weeks hard at work, concentrating on his fitness levels and getting  quality hitting with whomever he could at Tennis Australia and Kooyong. He also had some match practise tennis whilst training, although at club level, playing for his club Kooyong and helping his team win the Pennant.

The Claremont Club

His first pro circuit tournament back was an entry level $15k ITF event in Claremont, California. Seeded No. 8, Greg was drawn against 25 year-old American John Lamble, who had a recent ranking high of 751. It was not the start to his come back that Greg would have desired, as his lack of match play showed in the first set, as he lost the set 3-6, but he quickly shrugged off the rustiness and fought back to win the second set 6-4. The third set was a close contest, but Greg just could not get the breakthrough, then dropped his serve at the death, to lose the set 5-7 and the match.

John Lamble

Greg said he had played well and felt good after the long match. He failed to take some opportunities and could have done with some luck during the match. Disappointing, but plenty of positives to take out of the match and to build on. His body feels good after rigours of a long match, so back on the court in the next tournament next week.

Australian Autumn 2017 - Canberra #6

Following his win in the first round match on Thursday Greg had to back up to play his second round match, up against the No.1 seed, 26 year-old Spanish clay court grinder Jordi Samper-Montana, ranked 217, whose brother plays professional soccer in Spain, having played for FC Barcelona at one stage. It was a long wait for them to get on court, as rain delayed the match prior to their match. Greg said it is always hard to judge when to get prepared when waiting in rain delays. Then suddenly the rain stopped and before they knew it, they were on court, as in the match before them four games were won in a row to quickly wrap-up that match.

Greg took to court still slightly stiff and still feeling the effects of his previous match. Samper-Montana was fresh and quickly off the match while Greg was still a bit sluggish. A double fault by Greg presented a breakpoint opportunity to Samper-Montana, who gratefully converted to break Greg  in the first game. Greg got going but could not break back immediately, to trail 1-3. He then saw himself staring at 0-40 and three break points, but in the light drizzly condition he managed to get back to deuce and then hold serve to get to 2-3. Then the heavens opened again and once again they were chased off court for the day.

Friday arrived with only slightly better weather, and they continued the match with Samper-Montana serving to consolidate the break, going to 4-2 up. Greg could make no further inroads into Samper-Montana'a serve and the Spaniard served out the first set 6-4.



Spaniard Jordi Samper-Montana

Greg started the second set much better than the first, dropping only 1 point in getting to 2-1.  Greg said Samper-Montana was typically playing very deep in the court and Greg was now dictating play coming forward, playing drop shots and short volleys which were catching the Spaniard too far back. At 2-1 Greg then forced Samper-Montana to deuce, then break-point, breaking serve to lead 3-1. Inexplicably, Samper-Montana then won nine points in a row, to break Greg to love, then hold to love to get back even at 3-3. Greg steadied and on the back of two aces held serve. He then had Samper-Montana at 0-40, for a chance to break and serve for the set. 

However on that last point, whilst going out wide to return and then changing direction and pushing forward to get to the net, he felt a twinge in his groin and feared for the worst. He was unable to move properly and Samper-Montana reeled off five points in a row to save the break and level at 4-3. Greg then sought medical atttention from the physio and took a medical time out to have his injured groin assessed and then treated. Fortunately it was not too serious, but Greg was then wary of stressing the groin more. He returned to court but Samper-Montana took advantage of his uncertain movement, breaking Greg to lead 5-4 and serve for the set. But Greg was not done, playing some inspired tennis to keep the points short and got the Spaniard to 15-40 and have two break opportunities. He was unable to convert and Samper-Montana recovered to serve out the set 6-4 and win the match 6-4, 6-4. 

Greg was disappointed, as he was playing well but did not have the luck to take advantage of the opportunities he created. It was a frustrating rain interrupted week of stop-start tennis, played in tricky conditions on slippery courts, not conducive to great tennis. He will have a couple of weeks to shake off any potential injuries to his groin and knees, after his fall earlier in the week, and train for his next tournament. 

Australian Autumn 2017 - Canberra #5

The clay courts at Lyneham

In Canberra for the second of the two Futures tournaments, after a short break, all eyes were gazing skywards as the clouds built up. Greg was due to play his doubles first round match on Monday, partnering Rubin Statham, but the scheduled singles matches did not even get finished as rain stopped play for the day. The next day was not much better but they managed to get a few more singles matches finished, and Greg was up to play his singles first round before any doubles was contemplated. His first round opponent was young 18 year old Michael Commings, who was having a good week after qualifying, winning three matches over the weekend. As yet not ranked in the ATP, Commings will be giving it his best shot to overcome Greg and secure that coveted first ATP singles ranking point.

Michael Commings at an earlier age

With Greg serving first, games progressed on serve to 3-2. Then at 30-0 on Commings' serve, the rain came down again and after a lengthy delay, play was abandoned for the Tuesday.
On Wednesday more rain was forecast, and the start of play was delayed for a short time but eventually all was dry for play to commence, with young Commings serving at 2-3, 30-0. Greg was straight into some good play, getting Commings to deuce, saving three game points before bringing up a break point opportunity, and converting immediately to break Commings and lead 4-2. He served well to consolidate the break, at 5-2. Commings steadied to get to 5-3. Then Greg hit a purple patch, winning the next 18 poinsvto win the next game to love and the second set 6-3. He then  broke Commings to love in the first game of the second set, held serve to love, then broke Commings to love again, to lead 3-0, 30-0.
Greg went a double break 4-0 up, and from there was in cruise control, breaking Commings a third time at the end, winning the second set 6-1 and the match 6-3, 6-1.
Greg was supposed to play a few matches later in his first round doubles but unfortunately Rubin was forced to withdraw, not in good shape after a first round loss in the singles. So then they scheduled Greg for another singles match, due to the backlog of matches caused by the rain. But that's tomorrow's story, as the second round singles match was yet again interrupted and then postponed due to more rain.
So on to tomorrow, praying for some good weather.