Australia in the Summer 2017 - Burnie #2

Sunday in Burnie saw Greg waiting for the other matches to finish before taking to court in the late afternoon for the final qualifying round. Seeded No.4 Greg was up against another young Australian, 21 year old Jacob Grills, currently ranked 1033, but with a high rank of 529. Greg will have to serve well to be in this match.
And he did start well, holding serve to love, breaking Grills to love, then holding to love again, winning the first 14 points to go out to a 3-0 lead. Grills then managed to steady the ship, getting a few points on the board and winning the game to get on the board at 1-3. Then at 4-2, Greg stumbled, Grills forcing him to deuce, then breaking Greg on the third break point to get back on serve. Both players then held serve before Greg forced Grills to face set point at 4-5. Grills denied Greg, saving break point to level at 5-5, then going to the tie-break at 6-6.
In the tie-break it was Greg who got the first mini-break to change ends at 4-2. He the held serve and broke Grills again to have 4 set points at 6-2. But Grills had more to say, saving those points, denying Greg again to change ends at 6-6. Greg dug deep bringing up another set point st 7-6. Grills saved on his serve to level. Then Greg broke Grills to have another set point on his serve this time at 8-7, only for Grills to break back again to level to 8-8. Greg served to bring up his seventh set point at 9-8, this time breaking Grills serve again to win the tie-break 10-8, and the first set 7-6. Whew

Aussie Jacob Grills

After that hectic first set the serve stats of both players dropped to around 55% but games still went with serve until 3-2, Grills advantage. Then he forced Greg to defend three separate reak-points. Greg rose to the challenge, saving two, but was unable to prevent Grills from breaking, going 2-4 down in the process. Greg looked to be tiring as Grills raced to a 5-2 lead. Greg forced him to serve for the set by getting the score to 5-3. And he was not done in the set, breaking Grills to get back on serve at 5-4 and giving himself an opportunity to win the match in straight sets. He held serve with renewed vigour and then forced Grills to defend break-point at 5-5. Grills responded again though, denying Greg and winning the game to transfer the pressure onto Greg, forcing him to serve to stay in the set at 5-6. Greg recovered from 0-30 to get to game point but Grills levelled the score and brought up break-point, seizing the set point opportunity to win the set 7-5 and level the match at one set a piece.
So into the third set with Grills having the advantage of serving first, with new balls. But Greg had other ideas about that, attacking from the start of the set and breaking Grills, then holding serve to go 2-0 up. Greg then surprised Grills with some excellent serving, both players serving at over 70%, to only drop three points on his serve in the set, maintaining his break advantage over Grills to quickly get the score to 5-3. With Grills serving to stay in the set and the match, Greg applied pressure and forced Grills to 15-40, bringing up three set points. Greg gratefully converted at the first opportunity, winning the third set 6-3 and an eventful 2hour 35 minute match 76(8), 5-7, 6-3.
On reflection Greg could have won the first set a lot quicker after dominating the early part of the match and having six set points before thankfully winning the seventh, without giving up a set point against himself at the same time. He struggled to maintain any consistency and focus in the beginning of the second set, but was able to lift himself to challenge for the set in the latter stages, then was totally focussed and in the zone in the third, displaying good mental fortitude, resilience and a degree of match fitness after quite a long lay-off with injury.
And he qualified for the Main Draw for the singles.

Australia in the Summer 2017 - Burnie #1

After Auckland it was back to improving his fitness and constructive hitting for Greg. He also helped with some hitting with old friend, Brit Naomi Broady, who was playing in the Australian Open. Then it was off to the first of two Challenger tournaments in Tasmania, the first in Burnie, which had been the scene of two finals appearances for Greg, which must seem a lifetime ago for him, at least ten years on. This time though he was in the qualifying, not the Main Draw, so had some weekend work to get through.
Seeded No. 4, Greg first round opponent was 26 year old American Patrick Duriek, currently ranked 995 in singles. Serving first Greg got off to a good start, holding serve and breaking Duriek to get out to a 3-0 lead. Some good serving saw him carry his advantage through the set without giving a break point opportunity to the American, and winning the first set 6-3.
More good serving saw the score quickly get to 2-2 in the second set, then out of the blue, with Duriek serving at 30-0, Greg reeled off 8 points in a row to break Duriek and hold serve to love, to go a handy 4-2 up. He repeated the dose, again breaking Duriek to serve for the match at 5-2. A love game ensued for Greg to run out a 6-3, 6-2 winner.
First win of the year under the belt for Greg, which will help his confidence and give him more match practise, with the second round to be played on the same day. Not sure why...
His second round match was against a promising Australian teenager, 19 year-old Jake Delaney, already ranked a respectable 850 in the singles. With Delaney serving first, Greg again got off to a good start, breakin Delaney in the first game and holding to love to go 2-0 up. But Delaney hit back, holding serve and then breaking Greg to get back level at 2-2. With both serves dominating, games went with serve to the tie-breaker at 6-6. Greg was first to get an advantage, getting a mini-break on the first point, then serving only first serves in the tie-break, to effectively shut out Delaney and go 5-2 up. He then won the next two Delaney serves to pouch the tie-break 7-2, and the first set 7-6.
Serving first in the second set, Greg's serve percentage dropped, but he was still able to hold serve, then broke Delaney to go 3-1 up. Delaney fought back, getting Greg to deuce in the next game and forcing Greg to save two break-points, before Greg held dfor a 4-1 lead. At 5-2 up, Greg brought up match point on Delaney's serve but Delaney held firm, getting to 5-3 and forcing Greg to serve for the match. Which he did, winning the game to 15, to win the set 6-3 and a keenly contested match 7-6(2), 6-3.
Greg said he was pleased with getting two matches, with two wins under his belt.

Australia in the Summer 2017 - #1

Greg's plan for a solid off-season of fitness and training to be in top shape for the Australian Summer of 2017 were dashed in just his second week of his schedule when he suffered a small tear in his calf muscle, which required rest and physiotherapy. He was restricted to doing upper body training and swimming laps for fitness, not ideal in the tennis playing world. He started light hitting in the week before Christmas and was advised not to play at full pace until the New Year. He started running and had a few hitting sessions with Alex Vucic and Matt Barton in the weeks after Christmas and New Year and then headed off to the qualifying for the ATP250 tournament in Auckland last Thursday. Greg had managed to get into the qualifying draw, which is now limited to just 16 players, due to a number of late withdrawals.

His opponent for the first round was up and coming 18 year-old American Michael Mmoh, already ranked an impressive 197 in the ATP rankings, seeded No.3 for the qualifying. Greg's match was the fourth match on, and the Auckland breeze was pumping by the time the took to court in mid afternoon. With Mmoh serving first Greg started well, forcing Mmoh to deuce in the first game but unable to bring up break point, and then holding serve to love to level the score at 1-1. But Greg's lack of match practise of court time was soon evident, Momh holding easily and then breaking Greg to love to go 4-1 up. He broke Greg a second time to lead 5-1 and then serving out the set to love, 6-1.

USA's Michael Momh

Serving first in the second set Greg got to 40-15 quickly, but then was pegged back by Mmoh to face a break point. This time Greg was up to the challenge and saved break point and held serve to lead 1-0. He then forced Mmoh to face two break points at 15-40, but an ace and a good first serve and point by Mmoh denied Greg and Mmoh levelled at 1-1. He then broke Greg to love, returning exceptionally well as Greg served four consecutive first serves, to take the advantage at 2-1. Momh had the bit between his teeth now and the match unravelled quick for a rusty Greg, Mmoh breaking him twice more, despite Greg serving at a high percentage, to run out a 6-1, 6-1 winner.
Not the best match for the New Year for Greg, who was not at his best and quite underdone for the occasion. Much hard work still to be done after yet another injury. At least he was able to say that his mind and body came through the match ok.
Young Mmoh went on the qualify for the main draw of the tournament, beating former top twenty player Jersy Janowitz, also on the come-back trail after injury, in straight sets.
A brief Wikipedia overview:
"Michael Mmoh is a Saudi Arabian-born American tennis player of Irish and Nigerian ancestry. Mmoh is the reigning USTA junior national champion. He has won 1 ATP Challenger title and 4 ITF Futures tournaments, including his first at the age of 16."

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #5

It was a very strong and gusty wind that was causing havoc with the tennis early afternoon in Canberra, as Greg took to court for the quarter-final round of the singles. He was up against another promising young Aussie teenager, 19 year-old Omar Jasika, ranked 390, off his impressive high ranking of 256 achieved last year. Jasika, who is also the winner of the US Open juniors title, struggled to find form in the early part of this year, but has recently achieved some good results, so is currently in good form and will be a real test for Greg, in his fifth match this week.

Omar Jasika - US Open Junior Champion

Both player's struggled to adapt to the gusty wind conditions initially and with Jasika serving first, Greg soon had Jasika in trouble, facing two break points in the first game. But Greg was unable to capitalise and Jasika held serve. He then had Greg facing three break points at 0-40. Greg responded and got back to deuce but Jasika kept the pressure on and broke Greg to lead 2-0. Greg tried to hit straight back but Jasika saved another break point in his second service game to get to a handy 3-0 lead. Greg held serve to get on the board and tried to break Jasika, but Jasika was up to the task, holding his serve to win the first set 6-3.


Omar Jasika in action at Canberra

Serving first in the second set, in the stiff wind, Greg was again under early pressure and Jasika broke Greg, then held serve to lead 2-0. Greg then did not serve a good game and Jasika took advantage, breaking him again to take a decisive lead in the match, to lead 3-0, then 4-0. Greg recovered some ground to get to 1-4, then took the attack to Jasika in an attenpt to get a break back but Jasika had the momentum and was able to hold, to force Greg to stay in the match. He brought up match points on Greg's serve. Greg saved the first but could not stop Jasika from winning the second set 6-1, and the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.A match too far for Greg, this fifth one. He was bitterly disappointed. He said the wind had been a factor and Jasika had played well, whilst it was not Greg's best performance. Still a good week for Greg, who won four matches, including a testing come-from behind qualifying match and two main draw matches against quality opponents, playing some of his best tennis in the second round.
Unfortunately due to the Friday match he will be unable to travel to Japan for the qualifying of the Kobe Challenger, so has elected to have a week off tennis to recover, and train, for the following week's tennis.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #4

Having won three matches in a row for the first time in a long time, could Greg stretch that run to four? Playing in the second round of the Canberra Challenger, he was up against up and coming Aussie teenager, 18 year-old Max Purcell, from Sydney's Northern Beaches area, already ranked 360, near his high ranking of 355 achieved recently. Greg and Purcell have trained together in the past, when Greg was at Homebush on a rare occasion, so it will be an difficult but interesting clash.
Greg served first and both players opened confidently to get to 2-2, with Greg having slightly better of the play. Then Purcell brought up two break point opportunities on Greg's serve, but Greg responded, getting back to deuce and then holding serve. Purcell held for 3-3, then with the momentum in his favour again brought up break-point opportunity on Greg's serve. And again Greg was able to save the point and get to 4-3 up. He then forced Purcell to 0-40, to have three break point opportunities. Purcell saved the first but Greg won the next point to break Purcell and go 5-3 up, with a chance to serve for the set, which he did, winning the set 6-3.

 Max Purcell

With Purcell now serving first in the second set, Greg was playing catch-up. Purcell had also picked up his serve percentage, to match Greg's good serving at around 65-70%, and serve dominated the early part of the set, games going with serve to 2-2. Greg then had a break point opportunity but was denied by Purcell. Then at 4-3 it was Purcell's turn to have Greg under pressure and facing break-point, but he too was up to the task and saved to level at 4-4. Greg served to stay in the set at 4-5 and 5-6 but did so confidently, taking the set to the tie-break at 6-6.

Greg sends down a serve

With both players serving a high percentage of first serves, Purcell got the early mini-break for a 2-0 lead. Greg pegged him back to 2-2, then got another mini-break to go 3-2 up on his serve, changing ends at 4-2 and then holding serve again for a 5-2 lead, Purcell to serve. Greg gained another mini-break to have four match points at 6-2. Purcell saved the first match point to get to 3-6, but now it was on Greg's serve. Greg converted on his next serve to win the tie-breal 7-3, and the match 6-3, 7-6, and advance to the quarter-final round.

So a run of four wins for Greg, some valuable ranking points and hopefully a confidence boost for the next matches and tournaments to be played. Greg said it was the best he had played all week and he was very pleased with his performance. Hopefully his body is all ok after all the tennis played, and thankfully he opted not to play doubles this week, to conserve himself, and will also most probably have a rest day tomorrow before tackling the quarter-final round on Friday.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #3

After a days break it was back to work for Greg in the first round of the Canberra Challenger tournament, this time with luck on his side in the draw. Greg had drawn the No.2 seed 97th ranked Yoshihito Nishioka, but unfortunately Nishioka was struggling with illness and was forced to withdraw. A bit of luck for Greg, who still had a battle on his hands, up against the "lucky loser" replacement for Nishioka, fellow Aussie 23 year-old South Australian Darren Polkinghorne. Currently ranked 1042, Polkinghorne's consistent game will test Greg's resolve.
Serving first, six first served by Greg set the tone for the set, games going with serve to 2-1. Greg then for Polkinghorne back to deuce, then brought up break point, converting to go 3-1. He held serve confidently to get to 4-1, then broke Polkinghorne again to take a stranglehold on the set at 5-1. He served out the set well to win it 6-2.
Polkinghorne served first in the second set and Greg was quick to put the pressure on, bringing Polkinghorne back to deuce once again, the breaking him again to take a handy 1-0, then 2-0 lead in the set. With Greg serving at a high percentage, games went to 4-2, then Greg again broke Polkinghorne to take a decisive 5-2 lead, and have a chance to serve for the set. But Polkinghorne upper his game, and with Greg suddenly struggling to find a first set, forced Greg to face three break points at 0-40. Greg saved one point but could not stop Polkinghorne breaking, to get to 3-5, still a break down. Greg to forced Polkinghorne to deuce again but this time Polkinghorne held firm and won his serve too get close to Greg at 4-5. Greg served for the set again but again Polkinghorne's determination, coupled with the momentum and a drop in Greg's serve percentage, saw him break Greg for a second straight game and level the set at 5-5. Polkinghorne held for 6-5 then attempted to break Greg again, but Greg responded, getting to 40-15, then  winning the game to take the third set to the tie-break. Greg could have done with that service game a few games earlier.

South Australia's Darren Polkinghorne

Greg was straight on the attack in the tie-breaking, gaining an immediate mini-break, going 2-0 up. Polkinghorne broke back and the players changed ends all even at 3-3. Greg held for 4-3 and then attacked again but this time Polkinghorne held firm to get to 5-4. Greg's turn to hold serve - which he did well, to bring up match point at 6-5, but on Polkinghorne's serve. He duly got the mini-break to snare the tie-break 7-5, and win the match 6-1, 7-6(5).
A real test for Greg when things went a bit pear-shaped at the end of ththe second set, but he had played well up until then, and had the steely resolve to recover and win the match in straight sets.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #2

Centre Court at Canberra

In the third and final round of qualifying in Canberra, having had a bye in the first round, Greg was up against ex-collegiate player 24 year-old American Nathan Pasha, just starting to play full time on the pro-circuit. Currently ranked 1066, Pasha's capabilities will no doubt be way above his ranking level and will provide a stern test for Greg, who is seeded No. 3 for the qualifying.

Pasha Warming up

On a now overcast day, with a breeze developing stronger and stronger, serving first Greg got off to a less than satisfactory start, two double faults in the game enough for Pasha to break him and take the advantage in the set. Greg was not happy and showed it. At 2-0 up Pasha again had break points to go further ahead but Greg responded and was able to save and get to 1-2. Games went with serve to 4-2, then Pasha had Greg at 0-40. Staring at three break points Greg went for it and played his best tennis to get back to deuce, serving three straight bombs, then holding serve to get to 3-4. He could not get any opportunities on Pasha's serve though, and at 3-5 Pasha again had him facing a break point, this time breaking Greg again to win the first set 6-3.



Greg hits a back hand



With Pasha serving first both players held and then Greg had his first opportunity of the match to break Pasha st 15-40, but was denied by some good serving, games going to 2-1, then 2-2. Pasha held for 3-2, then with the wind gusting strongly it started drizzling. Play continued, and Greg lost the next point to face break point at 30-40. It was only drizzling lightly, but was very windy. The umpire wanted them to continue but Greg disagreed and then went to sit down. After a bit of debate and Greg calling for the physio for treatment, it started raining harder and play was suspended.

American Nathan Pasha

The rain lasted about twenty minutes and with the stiff breeze drying the courts quickly, they were soon back on court, with Greg to serve facing break point - a daunting prospect at a set and 2-3 down. But he returned from the rain break on fire, saved the breakpoint with aplomb and got to 3-3. He then forced Pasha to face two break points but Pasha responded, playing at a high level to match Greg, and held serve to get to 4-3. Greg held serve, and at 4-4 again had Pasha staring st two break points. Again Pasha denied Greg to get to deuce but this time Greg brought up more break opportunities and converted the fourth to get the vital break and serve for the set at 5-4. With the wind now gusting strongly, blowing out the singles sticks, blowing over umbrellas and chairs, both players were still playing at a high level. Greg stepped up to serve out the set 6-4, keeping the match alive, taking it to the third set.


With Pasha again serving first, at 0-1 Greg failed to close out a game at 40-15, serving a double fault and then endured a long deuce game, saving four separate break points before eventually winning the game, to level at 1-1. With the wind howling, both Pasha and Greg continued with some awesome rallies, passing shots and serving, but it was Greg who faced break point at 1-2. As he prepared to serve, the gusty wind again blew the single stick out and there was a delay to put the stick back in again. Greg served ok, but was then broken, to trail 1-3. Pasha was pumped and served well to go 4-1. Greg replied with a love game to stay close at 4-2.

Continuing to fight hard Greg then put the pressure on Pasha and forced him to deuce but a timely ace secured the game for a 5-2 lead. Greg again held to love, forcing Pasha to serve for the match at 5-3. Greg was not done, returned well and the pressure told, bringing up break point and converting the opportunity to stay in the match at 4-5. With the wind still howling, both players held serve to get to 6-5 on serve in Pasha's favour. With Greg again serving to stay in the match, Pasha kept pushing and brought up match point on Greg's serve. Steely nerves Greg hit a good serve and then won the game with a back hand down the line winner to level at 6-6, and take the match to the tie-break.

Pasha won his serve and then took a stranglehold on the tie-break by breaking Greg twice to lead 3-0. But Greg was not done and some inspired play saw him break back, twice, to get 2-3, then hold serve to change ends at 3-3. He then held again to lead 4-3. Two excellent returns backed up by long rallies, finished off well saw Greg break Pasha again, to bring up match point on his serve at 6-3. Greg won his seventh point in a row, to win the tie-break 7-3 and complete a great comeback in a topsy-turvy rain, delayed played in a strong, gusty wind. Final score 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(3).

 Greg was relieved and thankful that he had at last qualified for a Challenger after coming so close on numerous occasions. He had played some great tennis and had been forced to play close to his end range by a very talented and determined opponent.

Footnote: ironically Korean Hyeon Chung, who had taken the special exemption place in the main draw, denying Greg and forcing Greg to play qualifying, failed to travel to Australia and his place in the draw was then open to a "lucky loser" - a player who lost in the final round of qualifying. Greg was quite pleased that, in a strange quirk of fate, and just reward for the match he had played, his opponent Nathan Pasha was the benefactor of that lucky loser spot.

Australia in the Spring 2016 - Canberra #1

Centre Court at Canberra

In Canberra for the next Challenger tournament, Greg was on the receiving end of some misfortune. Second alternative for the main draw, and with no "special exemptions (SE) players entered in the qualifying of this or other tournaments, it looked like Greg would be in the Main Draw for Canberra. Then fate stepped in - due to the death of the King of Thailand, the Thailand Challenger was cancelled due to that states mourning period, and a special case was invoked. Players that had entered in the Thai tournament, due to be played this week, who made the semis in the previous week (which is the normal case for a SE) could elect to play in any another tournament that week. And Chung was such a player, who elected to play in Canberra, taking the place of the second alternative, which was Greg. Such bad luck, and not sure why one players misfortune (Chung in this case with the Thai tournament being cancelled) should impact down the line to be the bad luck of some other player, unaffected by the original cause. Go figure...

Jimmy Morogiannis

In any event it meant that Greg missed out on the Main Draw place and was now required to play in qualifying. His first round opponent was local  17 year old Dimitri (Jimmy) Morogiannis, as yet unranked in the ATP.

Greg serving

Greg started the match confidently, and with him playing well off the ground, but with a low first serve percentage, and a nervous Morogiannis missing his shots, Greg's pace was the telling factor and he held serve easily and broke Morogiannis three times to easily win the first set 6-0.
In the second game of the second set Greg serving first and 1-0 up, had the opportunity to put Morogiannis away with multiple break points, but Morogiannis hit a few scorchers to firstly get back to deuce, then save a few more break points, to win the game and get back into the set and the match at 1-1. Both players then held to love,  Morogiannis was fired up and going for his shots, playing at end range, and making them. But slowly the Greg turned the play back his way and he comfortably held his service games to get to 4-3 up. Greg then brought up another break point opportunity, and converted to serve for the match at 5-3. With Morogiannis now swinging at everything with nothing to lose he managed to save match point and peg Greg back to deuce, and then broke Greg to get back on serve.
Greg was nonplussed, getting Morogiannis back from 40-30 to deuce, then bringing up his second match point. A pressurised double fault from Morogiannis gave Greg the match, 6-0, 6-4. 
It was a longer second set than Greg had thought would be the case, after the bagel first set, but the result was never in doubt, Greg taking back to the court afterwards for some more hitting to redress errors made on the second set.