25th February 1998 - Greg Suffers Hangover at Battersea
In his first match after his Antwerp success Greg lost to Goellner in the first round at Battersea. After winning the first set Greg had points for the match in the second but couldn't convert them. This loss obviously comes as a disappointment to Greg who would have loved more matches in front of his home crowd.
Goellner will play Andrew Richardson, also a home player, in the next round. He scored a great win over Rosset who retired complaining of faintness, although Richardson was outplaying him at the time. The tournament also still includes Tim Henman who secured his second round place with a win over Krajicek.
I was lucky enough to have tickets for both day and evening sessions at Battersea this Monday and must pass comment on how well the tournament has been produced from nothing. Although an unlikely combination of shed and tent, you soon become oblivious to this and can't fail to appreciate the elegance of the surroundings. A brave step by the authorities that has surely paid off, and I feel a tournament that will be around for a while. If you want to go and enjoy in some rain-free tennis phone Ticketmaster or pop in to the complex in the NE corner of the park.
22nd February - Greg Triumphs in Antwerp
Greg won today's final in comfortable fashion against his Swiss opponent - Marc Rosset. He struggled through the first two sets, winning the first on a tiebreak after 51 minutes of play. The second was lost due to a decisive break of serve by Rosset. The game then turned and Greg won the final two sets quite easily.
Greg served a massive 22 aces during the best of five set contest and was aided by 13 double faults from Rosset. It was the first time Greg had won a best of five set final, having previously lost in Vienna, and of course the US Open last year.
Greg, in a few years time, could become the second player to win the tournament's famous diamond racket. The superb trophy worth $1M dollars is awarded to anyone who wins the tournament 3 times in five years. The only recipient so far is Ivan Lendl.
23rd February - GR makes Final
Greg reached his second major final of the year, beating Kucera quite comfortably. It was the first time this week Greg had won in two sets. He now looks forward to a match against Marc Rosset of Switzerland.
21st February - Rivalry Intensifies
The rivalry between Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman hotted up yesterday as Greg launched a scathing attack on Tim Henman for dropping out of the World Team Cup. Greg was cross that his plans for the build up to the French Open had been forced to change, although rumour has it that he is planning to go to the event as a practice partner for another country (are Canada playing?). Greg claims he was the last to be told of Tim's decision.
Meanwhile in London the draw was announced for the Guardian Direct Cup. It puts Greg as fourth seed against Mark Kevin Goellner. Meanwhile Henman looks on course for another early exit, his first round tie is against ex-Wimbledon winner Richard Krajicek. The full draw is given below:
KORDA(1) vs. Qfr.
Pioline vs. Clavet
De Wulf vs. Blanco
Raoux vs. KUCERA(7)
RUSEDSKI(4) vs. Goellner
Rosset vs. Richardson
Ulihrach vs. Lee
Siemerink vs. BRUGERA(6)
KRAJICEK(5) vs. Henman
Damn vs. Qfr.
Vacek vs. Alami
Johansson vs. KAFELNIKOV(3)
IVANISEVIC(8) vs. Qfr.
Qfr. vs. Ferreira
Gustafsson vs. Steven
Arazi vs. RAFTER(2)
With Greg's continuing success it looks unlikely he will play before Tuesday, A personal disappointment for me - I have a ticket for Monday!
20th February - Greg gets to the Semis
Greg beat Johansson in another three set battle today to reach the Semi Finals of the Antwerp tournament. He will take on Karol Kucera in Saturdays Match. The other semi is between Rosset and Rafter.
20th February - Greg gets the 'Closest Shave'
In a match labelled as the closest shave of his career, Greg edged past Raoux. In a thrilling last set tiebreak Greg won it 15-13, from being 5-1 down. This gives him a quarter-final appearance against the Swede Thomas Johansson later today.
18th February - Greg to Play Guillaume
Greg beat Arazi in a close encounter. He eventually came through in three sets against the left handed Moroccan. Greg hit 18 aces in this first round encounter. In the next round he plays Guillaume Raoux - presumably tomorrow.
16th February - NewsFlash
Greg will play Hicham Arazi in the First Round of the ECC tournament in a match scheduled for Wednesday. Meanwhile in the latest rankings list Greg has slipped one place to nine.
12th February - Antwerp Preview
An unchanged ranking list means it looks likely that Greg will be the fifth seed for next weeks ECC tournament in Antwerp. A very strong field is headed by: (ranking)
Korda (2), Rafter (3), Bjorkman (4), Kafelnikov (5), Rusedski (8) and Ivanisevic (13)
9th February - No Tennis for Greg This Week
Greg takes a break from tournament play this week. His next tournament will be the European Community Championship from Antwerp, before returning home to play at Battersea Park in the Guardian Cup. Later today the ATP rankings will be updated. To see what effect reaching yesterdays final had on Greg check out my rankings page.
8th February - Seventh Time Unlucky
Once again Greg failed to beat Goran Ivanisevic in the Final of the Croatian Open. This was their seventh meeting and Greg's seventh defeat. He lost on two tiebreaks to the home favourite. Greg had the satisfaction of not losing his serve in the match, although he was gracious in defeat suggesting Goran deserved to win.
7th February - Greg Battles Through
Greg won his Semi Final against Rosset in the closest possible fashion. A final set tiebreak sent him through to a final against Goran Ivanisevic. This will be played tomorrow and is sure to be a tense affair given their previous encounters.
7th February - Greg in the Semis Today
Yesterday afternoon Greg pulled off another straight sets defeat, beating the Czech player Martin Damn 6-1, 6-4. (Sorry about the last report which suggested he was German). Greg said the first set was the best set of tennis he had played for quite some while. In todays Semi Final he meats Marc Rosset in a big serving showdown.
5th February - Greg takes Croatian Cruise
Greg sailed into tomorrow's Quarter Final clash with German player Martin Damn, by defeating Kroslak in straight sets, 6-4 6-3. Greg was particularly pleased with the win claiming a he had improved his form from the last game. Greg has beaten Damn in three of their four previous meetings but it is usually close.
4th February - Greg off to a Flyer
Greg cruised to a first round victory in his delayed clash against Gianluca Pozzi. Pozzi who requested 24 hours delay because he reached a minor final on Sunday was blown away by the number one seed. In the first set Greg lost just five points in five service games, three of which were double faults. The set was to last only 26 minutes, and the fellow left-hander at the age of 32 exited the tournament.
Greg now plays the Slovakian, Jan Kroslak, currently ranked 141st in the world.
2nd February - Greg to Play Pozzi
Greg has been drawn against Gianluca Pozzi in the first round. It looks likely that his first match in this indoor tournament will take place tomorrow.