Oz Summer 2012-13 #27

The second round of the doubles followed less tahn two hours after their singles match but both Greg and Peter were fatigued after their epic duel in the singles in the heat of the day.

Chris Guccione

Their opponents were the 4th seeds, Australian giant 27 year-old Chris Guccione and local lad 22 year-old Matt Reid, a good friend of Greg since junior days. If the 6'7" Davis Cup veteran Guccione was in good serving form, backed up by his solid partner, it was going to be a tough battle for their fatigued opponents.

Matt Reid

And so it proved to be. Greg and Peter could not make any in-roads to Guccione and Reid's serve and were broken twice in the first set, losing the set 6-1.
They second set fared no better, with Guccione and Reid dominating their own service games and then breaking Greg and Peter, to take an early lead. They broke twice more to repeat the scoreline in the 2nd set, winning a quick match 6-1, 6-1.
A disappointing performance from Greg and Peter who needed to be at their best to tackle the 4th seeds.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #26

A busy day loomed for Greg in the Sydney Challenger with both the second round of the singles and doubles to be played, on a hot day at Homebush. First up for Greg was the singles, which was a re-run of the Burnie match, against his doubles partner for this tournament, 24 year-old Canadian Peter Polansky, the No. 4 seed, currently ranked 179, with a high rank of 149 in September last year. Polansky has a bit of a story to tell after surviving a fall from the 3rd floor of a hotel in Mexico whilst sleepwalking when 17 years old. Google "Peter Polansky sleepwalking" to read about it. Fully recovered now of course Polansky will again test Greg to the full.

Greg serving at Homebush

Polansky served first but was not serving well and Greg immediately had him facing three break points in the first game. Greg converted to take a welcome lead in the set, holding serve to consolidate at 2-0. Polansky  faced another  three separate break points in the next game under intense pressure from Greg, but Greg was unable to convert this time, games going to 3-1. Polansky faced break point again but saved and then had the save another three break points to get to 4-3. Greg was serving well and took the score to 5-3 without facing a break point in the set. He then broke Polansky's serve to win the set 6-3 and get to serve first in the second set.

View of the Tennis Centre



The second set saw Polansky serve a lot more conservatively, in order to improve his serve percentage, now serving a over 80% and it worked. He did not face a break point for the first game of the match and held for 1-1, then put the pressure back on Greg, bringing up break point but Greg held serve. Then at 2-2, Polansky got Greg to 15-40 and this time converted, taking a 3-2, then 4-2 lead. At 3-4

Greg brought up a break-back point opportunity but Polansky was up to the task and saved, to get to 5-3 up. He then proceeded to attack, getting Greg to 0-40 and breaking Greg to win the second set 6-3 and tie the match at one set all. 

Canadian Peter Polansky

Greg said it was extremely hot on court so he took a "comfort" break at the end of the set and changed his kit which was dripping wet. He came back on fire and, despite Polansky serving four 1st serve, broke Polansky to love, returning extremely well. Greg then consolidated to go 2-0 up and then saved a break-point to go 3-1 up. Polansky saved a break-point of his own in the next game but could not break into Greg's service games, the score going to 5-4, with Greg serving for the match. It was Polansky's last opportunity and he fought hard to deny Greg the game, saving match point before bringing up a break point.  Greg saved and then brought up another two match points, which Polansky saved but on the fourth match point Polansky could not stop Greg from winning, game, set and match 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

A good mental effort for Greg, in a match in which he dominated the first set but was frustrated by Polansky saving multiple break points, but then still prevailed to win the set. He then lost the second set with out much of a fight in the sweltering heat but came roaring back in the 3rd set, breaking Polansky early and, despite showing some signs of cramp, managed to shut out a good fight back effort from Polansky.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #25

The first round of the singlesin the Sydney Challenger had Greg facing up against an old adversary, South Australian Colin Ebelthite. A veteran of the tour with over ten years experience, 28 year-old Ebelthite is concentrating more on doubles these days, with a singles ranking of 788 but a doubles ranking of 120, he qualified for the tournament so will be in form and does have a positive head-to-head against Greg, although a bit dated. It will be a nervous match for Greg against a wily opponent, on a windswept Homebush court.
Greg came out firing, holding serve and then immediately broke Ebelthite. He consolidated the break at 3-0 and then had Ebelthite facing three break points at 0-40, to blow the set wide apart, but Ebelthite responded and saved those three break points and another to hold serve. Despite the strong, gusty wind Greg was serving well and he was able to serve out the set, not giving Ebelthite a break point opportunity, and winning the set 6-3.

Colin Ebelthite

Greg then again broke Ebelthite's first service gaem in the second set. Ebelthite was not phased though and despite Greg serving 5 first serves, Ebelthite broke back immediately to level at 1-1. Both player's held serve and then Greg had Ebelthite facing two break point at 15-40, and converted to lead 3-2, then 4-2. Ebelthite tried to fight back but Greg shut him out with somde competent serving, holding serve to get to 5-4 and then serving out the set 6-4, winning the match 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the second round.
A solid performance by Greg, in a match he was favourite to win, the expectation of which could have made him nervous and play tightly but he came through well with only a small glitch where he allowed Ebelthite to break back at the start of the second set. He got back on track and got the job done.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #24

In Sydney for the inaugural Challenger tournament to be held at the Olympic Tennis Centre at Homebush, it was doubles duty first up for Greg, who was playing with his good Canadian mate, 24 year-old Peter Polansky. They were up against the two in-form players of the Australian contingent this summer, Queenslander John Millman, who had excelled in the ATP250 in Brisbane and won the Challenger in Burnie, and the Northern Beaches' Matt Barton, who won the Challenger in Adelaide, both good friends of Greg.

Partner Peter Polansky

With Millman and Barton serving first games went with serve to 2-2, then Greg & Peter brought up two break point opportunities and concerted the second point at "sudden death" deuce to take a 3-2 lead and then held serve to consolidate the break at 4-2. At 5-4 up Greg sever for the set but their opponents hit back. Two returns to Greg's feet saw him volley up and the other capitalised, breaking back and levelling the set, games going to the tie- break at 6-6. Both teams held the advantage in the tie-break but it was Greg and Peter who consolidated and went ahead, winning the tie-break 7-4 and the set 7-6.

Matt Barton

Millman and  Barton were straight on the attack in the second set and broke Greg and Peter in the first game then proceeded to hold serve, games going to 5-3. They then again broke Greg and Peter again to win the second set comfortably 6-3.

John Millman

In the new shortended doubles format the 3rd set is a match tie-break only, first to ten points with a tw point advantage. Greg and Peter broke their opponents first serve but Millmand an Barton broke back immediately and raced to a 7-3 lead. Greg and Peter held their serves to get to 4-7, then 4-8, then broke to get to 5-8 with two serves to come. They held to get to 7-8. Barton served an ace to bring up match point at 9-7. Big serving Barton missed his serve and they were able to save and get to 8-9, still match point down but on their own serve. They held then brought up match point of their own 10-9, but on Millman's serve. He saved and levelled the score at 10-10. Greg and Peter then broke and led 11-10 with match point on their serve this time. They gratefully converted, winning the tie-break 12-10 and squeaking out a 7-6, 3-6, 12-10 win to advance to the second set.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #23

Aerial view of Melbourne Park Tennis Centre

Another beautiful day greeted the players at Melbourne Park for the quarter-finals of the Futures tournament. And it was the No. 5 seed, former top 100 player, 29 year-old Frenchman Stepane Robert, currently ranked 209, but with a high ranking of 61, achieved in 2010. Robert's ranking has fallen, ostensibly due to injury last year, just as Greg's ranking has, and he was playing the circuit in Australia to get his ranking back to its former heights. With no great serve but an economic, efficient style, great consistency and accuracy, with many years of experience, Robert would be a great foil for Greg's big game and will test his resolve.
Greg served first and Robert's flat game immediately had Greg under pressure and facing break point. Greg competently saved that point and held serve but on his next serve, serving into the sun for the first time, Greg faced another three break-points at 0-40 and this time Robert converted to lead 2-1 and 3-1. Greg fought back but a few wayward shots had him unable to keep the pressure on Robert. Robert capitalised, breaking Greg again to lead 5-2. He then confidently serve out the set with two aces, winning it 6-2.


Stephane Robert

Greg recharged and matched Robert in the 2nd set, holding serve and getting to 3-3. At 15-30 on Greg's serve, Greg hit an ace but it was called it out. Sportingly Robert over-ruled the call and said Greg's serve was an ace. On the very next point, de ja vue - an ace by Greg, again called out, again over-ruled. So instead of going from 15-30, to 15-40 and then break of serve game to Robert, due to Robert's sportingly conceding the aces and over-ruling the umpire, Greg was at 40-30 and held serve and led 4-3. A very nice gesture by the Frenchman, who would have gone ahead in the set. Robert held his serve and then pounced, breaking Greg to get the vital break and serve for the match at 5-4. Greg responded and hit right back, breaking Robert and levelling at 5-5. Robert was just as feisty and he was not to be denied. He broke Greg immediately and this time, given a second chance to serve for the match, took his opportunity and did so, winning the set 7-6 and a hard fought match 6-2, 7-5.
It was a match of missed opportunities by Greg and taken opportunities by Robert, who did not make many mistakes and put away the chance he created. Greg had served at a low percentage first serve and did not get the free points he needed from those serves he did make due to the heavier balls.
Greg will not play the Futures tournament in Mildura next week, which is on grass, but rather prepare for the hard court Challenger tournament to be held in Sydney the following week. His stomach strain appears to be repaired and he can get some much needed serve practise, something he has not been able to do for the past month due to the injury.
Stephane Robert went on to win the tournament.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #22



Outside courts at Melbourne Park

With the temperature up around 30 degrees celcius and a gusty breeze blowing Greg took to the court at Melbourne Park in the second round match of the Futures tournament against newly converted New Zealander, Russian born 27 year old Artem Sitak, currently ranked 547 in the ATP rankings. They have played each other once before, way back in 2007, when Sitak won in three sets, so Greg will be looking to reverse that result. The first set went according to Greg's script, with Greg having the better of the play and then getting the vital break and serving out the set, winning the set 6-3.

New Zealander Artem Sitak



In the second Greg let a few close calls by the umpire get to him and let it disrupt his concentration and focus. After missing out on breaking Sitak, Greg then lost his serve to trail a break. He battled hard and got Sitak to break-point again, but again Sitak, playing a better game in the second set and another perceived close call, was able to hold. Again Sitak was able to apply pressure on Greg, whose focus was not on his game, breaking Greg again to win the set 6-1, and level the match at one set all.

Greg took time to compose himself at the end of the set and began the third set re-focussed, with much improved body language and movement. Sitak was still playing at a good level but Greg was able to counter and eventually broke Sitak, to take a vital lead in the set. He held serve to consolidate the match, and continued on to win the set 6-3, and a topsy-turvey hard fought match 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
Not the best display mentally by Greg, who let conditions get to him but, with the help of some encouragement from hitting partner Bidders, he was able to pull himself together, re-focus and play well enougth to win the match.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #21

It was back to Melbourne Park this week for the Australian Pro-tour,
for an ITF Futures $15k event, a quantum step-down from the Challenger tour. It has, however, almost the same competitors playing as in the last two Challenger Tournaments, so is a strong field for a Futures event. The players having opted to stay in the country in order to play the Challenger event in Sydney at the end of February, so are playing this event.
Greg's opponent in the first round needed no introduction, as it is a player Greg has seen across the net quite a bit, larger than life 25-year-old Australian Sam Groth. Greg leads the Pro-circuit head-to-head 3-0 but their last meeting was a close 7-6, 7-6 affair.

Fastest-server 263 Sam Groth

Groth started serving first and Greg was immediately on the attack, breaking Groth to lead 1-0. Groth was having trouble with his risk and had an injury time-out straight after that game. On the resumption Greg consolidated the break. Groth was clearly experiencing some pain whilst playing but it did not stop him sending down some bombs and was able to hold his serve, games going with serve to 4-2, before Greg managed to break him again to lead and win the set 6-2.
After some more attention for his injury Groth continued in the second set but after Greg broke him again to lead 2-1, he decided enough is enough and retired from the match, giving Greg the victory.
A hollow win for Greg but he does advance to the next round, to be payed on Thursday.

Oz Summer 2012-13 #20

Greg was playing on the last day of the Westlakes Tournament, which meant that he was in a final, which has been a long time coming, even if it was the doubles final. Greg and James faced up against fellow Aussies Sam Groth and Matt Reid. Ironically Greg, Sam and Matt had been housing together in housing in Adelaide for the week and now faced each other across the net again, having played against each just last week in the first round in Burnie, Sam and Matt victors then.
Both teams were unseeded and there was little to pick between the teams, all players having big games and big serves, with Sam the leader in that department. James led the proceedings off, serving first and quickly had three game points at 40-15 (in the sudden death decue format), but they were unable to convert and at deuce Groth and Reid seized their opportunity and broke serve, to lead 1-0.

Big serving Sam Groth

Groth held serve, consolidating the break, and games went with serve to 4-2. A shanked return lob winner saw Groth and Reid force Greg to deuce on his serve again broke at deuce to lead 5-2. With Reid serving for the set Greg and James returned well to get Groth and Reid to 0-40 and have four break point opportunities, but Reid held firm and got back to deuce and then converted the sudden death point to win the first set 6-2. Greg and James had served the better but their opposition, with a bit more luck, had taken the opportunites and won the set.

Matt Reid

At 1-1 in the second set, on Greg's serve and with three good 1st serves, a return winner and two good lobs from Groth and Reid, both of which dropped on the base-line had Greg and James scrambling and facing three break points at 0-40. Greg and James were not able to save the break and fell 1-2 behind. Reid consolidated the break and James then held serve before the applied the pressure on Groth's serve presented Greg and James with break-point. James was unable to return a good second serve from Groth who then hit an unreturnable 1st serve to stay ahead at 4-2. Games then went with serve to 5-4, with Reid serving for the match. Greg and James kept the score close but at 40-30 Reid was able to convert the first match point, to win the match 6-2, 6-4 and take the doubles title.

Greg & James at the trophy presentation

Greg and James were obviously disappointed with the result. They had served better than their opponents but had not been able to take the opportunities the created. Groth and Reid had returned well and had kept the pressure on Greg and James, playing the clutch points better and getting more of the luck required to win these matches.