28th February - Outgunned, but not outclassed
Another windy day in the Park, and Richard Krajicek proved to be in too much good form for Greg's liking. Serving 30 aces (67% first serves in) Krajicek had just enough to edge past Greg, but only a few points decided it.
As predicted the match revolved around tiebreaks - the first going to the Dutchman. The second went to Greg after Krajicek double-faulted when it mattered most. By this time Greg and the crowd were really in their stride. Not even the threat of the roof flying off could dampen the spirits. In the third Krajicek snatched an early break and Greg looked a little glum. At 4-2 down another ace flew past Greg - enough was enough. He asked a ballgirl to have a go at returning one. Krajicek duly obliged with a softly softly rally. His concentration had been broken though, and Greg was back in the match. As Krajicek commented afterwards "at the time it was amusing, but before long I was 5-4 0-30 down, then it wasn't amusing".
He had the last laugh thoughas Greg double faulted on break point in the 11th game - the trophy was going to Holland. When all is said and done there was little Greg could have done against the awesome firepower. As Greg said "now I know what's it's like to play me when I'm on form".
Reassuring notes come in that it was encouraging to see the crowd waving the union jacks and getting right behind Greg. Greg also has the doubles final tonight to play. (Highlights on BBC 2.45pm Monday) . Greg moves onto Indian Wells in a weeks time, where last year he reached the final. Defending those points is not a huge worry - camping out in the tent this week he has gained a few.
28th February - Today is Greg's day
Greg and Tim won their doubles last night in straight sets - so today really is Greg's day. I believe the seesion starts at 2.30 pm.
27th February - Roof raised for all the Right Reasons
Earlier in the week it was the wind that was testing the roof on the Battersea tent, now though Greg and the crowd are combining to raise the roof in unison. Another inspiring performance saw Greg reach his first tour final of the year - beating Hicham Arazi in straight sets.
A break in the second game of the set gave Rusedski the upper hand. When Arazi double faulted on the 4th set point in the 8th game - Greg was handed the first set. A break in the 6th game of the second ensured a place in tomorrows final. Throughout the match Greg was encouraged by a partisan full house. Undoubtedly we will see more of the same tonight and tomorrow. It's certainly giving those of us going to the Davis Cup a taste of success on home soil..
27th February - Semi Day
Having beaten Broad and Koenig in straight sets last night, Greg and Tim progressed to a semi final meeting with Kafelnikov and Vacek. Todays Semi Final order of play sees Greg play Arazi at 3pm and the doubles played at 9pm. This order of play was decided on so that Kracicek (who plays at 7pm) could go to Oostings funeral in Holland this morning.
26th February - Greg Triumphs in Thriller
Greg beat Thomas Enquist in three tight sets this afternoon to progress to a semi-final with either Hrbaty or Arazi. Greg played very well throughout, and was aided by sloppy forehands and double faults from Thomas in the first and third sets. Cheered on by a near full house in the arena and a live national TV audience Greg always looked like he was confident in his ability to win it. Like he said against Korda his mental attitude was such that he was happy to stay out there for three sets if that was required. Tonight Greg plays the doubles.
25th February - It's two Quarter Finals
Greg won through to tomorrows Quarter Final with an encouraging tight two set victory over Czech left hander Petr Korda. One break in the first set proved decisive while Greg had to wait for a tiebreak to secure the second. Tomorrow he plays Australian Open Finalist Thomas Enqvist at 2.30pm. At around 9pm he plays in the doubles with Tim Henman, see below.
24th February - Tomorrow
Greg will play Petr Korda 7pm on Thursday. In the doubles Greg and Tim will go head to head with Davis Cup teammate Neil Broad and his South African partner - Koenig. Since Tim is out of the singles this will now be Friday.
23rd February - Power Play puts out Pozzi
Greg produced some stunning power play to oust Gianluca Pozzi in just 44 minutes. Both sets took only 22 minutes as Greg stunned the oldest player in th top 100. Greg received a warm ovation from the large home crowd. In the next round he faces a fiery contest with Petr Korda. Greg has never been one to shy away from giving his opinion - and the Korda situation is no different, with Greg being openly critical of the drug situation.
Battersea crowds are in for a real treat over the next five days, with no less than a possible 10 matches remaining involving Tim and or Greg - hopefully spread right over till the Finals on Sunday. In this form it will take a fine player to stop them.... I would expect Greg's next singles to be on Thursday, with the doubles Quarter Final the same day, or Friday.
23rd February - Players Raise the Roof
Sorry for the lateness of this report - I hope the quantity will make up for it. I made a flying visit to Battersea on Sunday, and then both sessions on Monday, hence I was unable to bring you the latest
Greg and Tim teamed up last night in the doubles and to the delight of a small but enthusiastic home crowd, beat 4th seeds Ullyatt and Norval. Looking relaxed the pair seemed in a good mood as they won in two sets. The first 12 games went with serve as the British pair found their feet in the Battersea marquee. The tiebreak though saw things gel and one mini break was sufficient to take the set. The pair were now well in their stride and the second set was a formality with two breaks of serve achieved.
Earlier in the day the crowd (well the few that realised) had the opportunity to see Greg practising first with Korda and then Becker. Greg and Boris seemed particularly friendly as they stayed on after their hit chatting. Doubtless the state of the tent came into their discussions...
Due to very high winds the marquee (a semi-permanant structure) was seen to try and take off! The daytime session suffered from extreme noise as the roof beams creaked and much murmering from the crowd was heard - as the roof was seen to sway several metres in the wind. It affected some players more than others - notably those than hadn't practiced much! Ivanisevic lost his middle set 6-0 when the wind was at it's worst, saying it had "really freaked me out". Luckily by Greg's match in the evening it had died down.
Tickets for all sessions are still available on 0845 600 1530. Greg plays Pozzi tonight at 7pm - the match is live on BBC Choice for those with Digital. Keep in touch with this page over the next week as we bring you all the news on Greg's campaign to walk of with both the singles and doubles titles. Interestingly 26% of those polled on the ATP website think Greg will win the title (singles) only 13% voted for Henman, 39% for Yevgeny.
TV Appearance: Thanks to Jan for this. Greg will be appearing on Live and Kicking this Saturday coming. The show goes out from 9am to 12 noon. If you get adavance warning of Greg on Tv or in print do let me know so I can pass it on - email [email protected]
Apologies for not bringing you the Rotterdam semi final result until now. Greg unfortunately lost to the in-form Russian in straight sets. On another sad note - Greg has gone down a place to 10 in this weeks Rankings.
20th February - Top performance gives Greg Semi Today
A great three set victory over established campaigner Cedric Pioline gives Greg a semi final today against Yevgeny Kafelnikov. For the first time this year Greg now has a better win record than loss - 5-4. However he fares over the weekend, the good performance in Holland will serve well to replace some of the points he was defending from Antwerp. Next week in Battersea he is seeded 3rd and plays Gianluca Pozzi in the first round. The match is unlikely to be before Tuesday evening - tickets available on the hotline: 0845 600 1530. In the doubles he partners Tim with the intention of getting practice for the forthcoming Davis Cup tie.
Todays match kicks off at 2pm and (I think) is on Eurosport. In the other semi final TH plays Safin at 7.30. Don't anyone think about the final - it will just jinx it.
18th Febraury - Confidence dripping back
Slowly but surely Greg is gaining his confidence against. A comfortable second round match against Ed Kempes saw Greg go through to the Quarter Final. After winning in 51 minutes Greg will play Pioline or Krajicek on Friday.
17th Febraury - Greg through
Greg came through against Nicholas Kiefer despite not playing his best. The three setter means he plays Dutch Wild Card Ed Kempes in the next round.
15th Febraury - It could be Rotterdam or anywhere...
This week sees Greg play indoors at Rotterdam. Seeded 5th he meets in form German player Nicholas Keiefer in the first round on Wednesday. Greg is currently ranked number 9 in the world.
10th February - Racket Gets the Better of Greg
Greg lost to Spaniard Francisco Clavet last night in a match he should have won. Taking the first set comfortably and being 3-0 in the second, Greg's game collapsed to lose in three. We initially believed Greg's best excuse came in the claim that the balls were different from those used on Monday.
It turns out though that maybe a new Donnay racket was to blame for his surprise defeat. Donnay offered Greg a much more lucrative deal than that offered to him by Wilson - previous sponsor. Greg has already returned to London to be with fiancee Lucy, before flying out to Rotterdam for next week's tournament.
9th February - Greg beats Sjeng
Greg beat the dutch player last night in straight sets. By all reports though it was only because Schalken's form was worse than Rusedski's. The Daily Telegraph reports that although Greg didn't lose his serve, he was more "clinging to his serve than holding it". Next up is Clavet or Ferreira.
As predicted on our schedule Greg has confirmed his entry into the Rotterdam tournament next week.
8th February - Greg plays Schalken tonight
In the first round of the Dubai Open, Greg will play Sjeng Schalken. The match is on Centre Court at 7.45pm local time. GMT??. In the latest rankings Greg is at 10. In Dubai he is seeded 4 behind the Spaniards Corretja and Moya and compratiot Tim Henman.
2nd February - Love is In the Air
Greg has announced that he is to marry long term girlfriend Lucy Connor later this year. Lucy is sporting a superb engagement ring, and the announcement was made at a surprise reception at the Dorchester Hotel attended by 30 of their closest family and friends. Congratulations Greg!
1st February - Greg Drops to 10
Greg is taking a break from the tour his week. He has gone to number 10 in the rankings as published today.