In the second round of the doubles Greg and Rubin Statham were up against an Indian pairing of Divij Sharan and Vishnu Vardhan.
Greg said he did not play well, especially at the net as he and Rubin went down to the Indians in a quick two set match 6-1, 6-2. Greg thinks fatigue played a part in his not being as sharp as yesterday and, while he served well, he was not able to back Rubin up at the net, Rubin dropping serve twice in both sets.
Greg will return to Sydney tomorrow. It will be good to see the fella after more than a month away.
Mar 11, 2010
Kyoto Challenger, Japan Update #3
The second round of the singles in Kyoto had Greg facing local Japanese player 25 year-old Go Soeda. Currently ranked 235, Soeda had a high rank of 106 last year, so will be tough opposition.
Greg said he got off to a slow start and did not adjust to the super fast carpet surface quick enough, going down a break early in the set and not being able to recover, losing the 1st set to Soeda 6-2.
In the 2nd set Soeda again broke Greg early and went out to a 2-1 lead. Greg responded and broke back immediately to level at 2-2. He said he started playing really well and held serve easily to get go 4-3 up. He then broke Soeda to lead 5-3, serving out the set 6-3, to level the match at 1-set-all.
The 3rd set went with serve to 3-2 to Soeda. A couple of over played shots saw Greg go to 30-30. He then hit two good 1st serves but Soeda picked them and hit two consecutive return winners to break Greg and go 4-2 up. A good service game by Soeda stretched his lead to 5-2. He put the pressure on Greg, going for his shots, and was able to break Greg again and win the set 6-2 and the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Greg said his slow start was the difference in the match and that he had played well for most of the match.
Greg said he got off to a slow start and did not adjust to the super fast carpet surface quick enough, going down a break early in the set and not being able to recover, losing the 1st set to Soeda 6-2.
In the 2nd set Soeda again broke Greg early and went out to a 2-1 lead. Greg responded and broke back immediately to level at 2-2. He said he started playing really well and held serve easily to get go 4-3 up. He then broke Soeda to lead 5-3, serving out the set 6-3, to level the match at 1-set-all.
The 3rd set went with serve to 3-2 to Soeda. A couple of over played shots saw Greg go to 30-30. He then hit two good 1st serves but Soeda picked them and hit two consecutive return winners to break Greg and go 4-2 up. A good service game by Soeda stretched his lead to 5-2. He put the pressure on Greg, going for his shots, and was able to break Greg again and win the set 6-2 and the match 6-2, 3-6, 6-2.
Greg said his slow start was the difference in the match and that he had played well for most of the match.
Mar 10, 2010
Kyoto Challenger, Japan Update #2
Doubles action saw Greg and Rubin Statham of New Zealand team together and face the No.1 seeds, Australians Jo Sirianni and Rameez Junaid.
Greg said they played extremely well and combined like a seasoned pair to knock off the top seeds 6-2, 6-2. It was a match when everything they did worked and everything they hit fell in and, backed up by some raw enthusiasm, they frustrated their opponents and converted the opportunities they created.
Greg said they played extremely well and combined like a seasoned pair to knock off the top seeds 6-2, 6-2. It was a match when everything they did worked and everything they hit fell in and, backed up by some raw enthusiasm, they frustrated their opponents and converted the opportunities they created.
Kyoto Challenger, Japan Update #1
Spring in Japan and Greg was in Kyoto for an ATP Challenger event.
Seeded No. 5 Greg drew his good mate and doubles partner for this event in the 1st round, 22 year-old Kiwi Ruben Statham, currently ranked 297. Statham came to Japan directly from a Davis Cup tie in Sri Lanka where he underpinned the Kiwis win with two singles victories.
Greg got the jump on Statham at the start, breaking Ruben to go 2-0 up. On the lightning quick indoor carpet surface serves dominated thereafter and Greg took the first set 6-3.
Greg again got a good start to the 2nd set, breaking Statham to go 2-1, then 3-1 up. However a poor service game at 4-3 allowed Statham to break back and level at 4-4. Greg brought up another break-point opportunity in Stathams next service game but could not take the advantage, Statham holding serve to lead 5-4, and putting the pressure on Greg to hold. Statham brought up set point and converted to win the 2nd set 6-4 and level the match at 1-set-all.
In the 3rd Greg had early opportunities but could not get the break. At 3-3 Greg took advantage got Statham to 0-40 and converted the 3rd break-point to go ahead 4-3. Greg held for a 5-3 lead and then at 5-4 up served for the set. He went 0-30 down, then saved a break-point with an ace. A couple od deuces later Greg fired another two ace to close out the set 6-4, and win a tight match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Seeded No. 5 Greg drew his good mate and doubles partner for this event in the 1st round, 22 year-old Kiwi Ruben Statham, currently ranked 297. Statham came to Japan directly from a Davis Cup tie in Sri Lanka where he underpinned the Kiwis win with two singles victories.
Greg got the jump on Statham at the start, breaking Ruben to go 2-0 up. On the lightning quick indoor carpet surface serves dominated thereafter and Greg took the first set 6-3.
Greg again got a good start to the 2nd set, breaking Statham to go 2-1, then 3-1 up. However a poor service game at 4-3 allowed Statham to break back and level at 4-4. Greg brought up another break-point opportunity in Stathams next service game but could not take the advantage, Statham holding serve to lead 5-4, and putting the pressure on Greg to hold. Statham brought up set point and converted to win the 2nd set 6-4 and level the match at 1-set-all.
In the 3rd Greg had early opportunities but could not get the break. At 3-3 Greg took advantage got Statham to 0-40 and converted the 3rd break-point to go ahead 4-3. Greg held for a 5-3 lead and then at 5-4 up served for the set. He went 0-30 down, then saved a break-point with an ace. A couple od deuces later Greg fired another two ace to close out the set 6-4, and win a tight match 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Mar 8, 2010
Top 200 Singles Ranking
In the latest ATP Singles Rankings Greg has achieved a milestone in his career - ranked exactly 200 - which puts him in the top 200 for the first time.
Greg has also achieved career high ranking of 5 in the Australian Men's Rankings published today.
Greg has also achieved career high ranking of 5 in the Australian Men's Rankings published today.
Feb 28, 2010
Oz Grass Update #8
In the Mens Singles Final of the grass court Futures Tournament in Berri, playing in front of a large luncheon crowd, Greg was up against 20 year-old Queenslander John Millman, ranked 312. Greg and John have had some mammoth matches in the past so I'm sure this match would be no exception.
Greg was quick out of the blocks, using the new balls well on the grass courts, getting a break up and then holding serve well. More pressure on Millman by Greg saw him break Millman's serve again, going on to win the 1st set 6-1, in a qucik fire 20 minutes.
Greg continued his good form and at 2-1 up had Milllman at 0-40. The luncheon crowd, wanting more tennis, got behind Millman, who fought back, saving the three break point and rallying to level at 2-2. Games went with serve to 4-4, when Millman got a decisive break of serve to lead 5-4. With a raucous crowd behind him Millman served out the set to even the match at one set all, winning the set 6-4.
The 3rd set saw Greg take an early advantage, breaking Millman to get 4-2 ahead. Again the terrier Millman fought back managing to break Greg's serve and then level at 4-4. He again broke Greg to take the advantage at 5-4. Greg could not counter and Millman won the set 6-4, and the match 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
A very disappointing end to a good week for Greg but well played John Millman. The result should see Greg advance his singles ranking close to 200, in two weeks time, when the ITF points are added to the ATP rankings.
Greg is heading back to Melbourne for some rest and training before heading to Japan for a Challenger tournament.
Oz Grass Update #7
Semi-finals of the grass court Futures Tournament in Berri. Playing to their seedings, No.1 seed Greg, was up against the No. 4 seed, 22 year-old Victorian Sam Groth, currently ranked 282. Coming off a recent 4 month break for injury Groth has a high rank of 220 and, at 6"5' tall, has a booming serve and a good grass court game.Just one break of serve separated the two players in the 1st set but it was Greg who got the vital break of serve to win the 1st set 6-4.
Greg said he returned well and was serving very well, especially his second serve, as he broke Sam early to go ahead in the 2nd set, then held serve to consolidate his lead. Another break of serve by Greg had him serving for the match at 5-1, which he did, winning the set 6-1 and the match 6-4, 6-1.In the final Greg's opponent is his peer and good mate John Millman, the No. 6 seed, who dispatched of the No.2 seed Matt Ebden with a tight 7-6, 7-6 win.
Feb 26, 2010
Oz Grass Update #6
Quarter-final round of the grass court Futures Tournament in Berri and Greg's opponent was 22 year-old Indian Vishnu Vardhan, currently ranked 383 in the ATP singles.
It was just one break of serve in the 1st set which saw Greg take the set 6-3.
Greg began the second set confidently getting a break ahead early, then holding serve before breaking Vardhan again at the end, winning the set 6-2 and the match 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals.
In the semis Greg will be up against big serving Victorian, 22 year-old Sam Groth, who is growing in confidence in only his 2nd tournament back, after a 4 month lay-off recovering from tennis elbow. Groth, seeded No. 4, overcame No.7 seed Bryden Klein in a close three set match.
It was just one break of serve in the 1st set which saw Greg take the set 6-3.
Greg began the second set confidently getting a break ahead early, then holding serve before breaking Vardhan again at the end, winning the set 6-2 and the match 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals.
In the semis Greg will be up against big serving Victorian, 22 year-old Sam Groth, who is growing in confidence in only his 2nd tournament back, after a 4 month lay-off recovering from tennis elbow. Groth, seeded No. 4, overcame No.7 seed Bryden Klein in a close three set match.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
