Tasmanian Harry Bourchier has progressed to the third round of the Launceston International, pushing past Australian Open doubles finalist Max Purcell 7-5 6-3.
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Gaining revenge from the Australian Open wildcard playoff in December where Purcell proved too good for the 24-year-old Hobart-born player, Bourchier's big weapons served him well on Wednesday.
"Obviously [in December] I lost 7-6 6-3 and then rolled my ankle at the start of the third which was a bit of a write-off from there," he said.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"The first set was really close there and just a few key points [cost me] and I felt like I did better on those points today and holding my serve, especially in the second set."
Both players cruised through the first set with their service games relatively untouched until Bourchier was able to break through to steal it from Purcell's clutches in the 12th game.
As tensions began to rise on the centre court, the second set went in a polar-opposite manner with three service breaks in the first four games as Bourchier ran out to a 4-1 lead.
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Purcell held to put the pressure on the home favourite, extending it to Bourchier's service game, where he saved five break points to go up 5-2. The pressure wasn't over, having to save two more en route to completing the match.
Revenge will once again be on Bourchier's mind next round as he faces Belgian sixth seed Kimmer Copperjans, who knocked him out of the Burnie International 5-7 6-3 6-4.
"I've looked over the match a fair bit since last week and trying to be aggressive and play my game [will be key] and I have a few other tricks up my sleeve." he said.
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Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
