Aussies do battle for International honours
IT will be an all-Australian affair in the final four of the 2017 Cairns Tennis International.
Second seed Dayne Kelly and third seed Alex Bolt booked their spots in today’s semi-finals with hard-fought wins yesterday morning before Maverick Banes and Jason Kubler secured their passages through in the afternoon session.
Kelly, a lefty from Victoria who has made some great inroads in the past six months – reaching a career-high ranking in September, was full of praise for his opponent after knocking out American Nathan Pasha 7-6 7-6 yesterday.
The pair met in the second round of the Far North tournament 12 months ago and Kelly, who has had some good results on the challenger circuit in Asia recently, said Pasha had improved out of sight in the year since.
“I have respect for Nathan. A year ago it was a little bit easier for me but I have seen him all throughout the year working his butt off,” Kelly said.
“He brought his A game today and really made me work for it.”
Kelly will play Banes today for a spot in tomorrow’s decider.
Bolt will face Kubler after top seed Omar Jasika retired in the second set yesterday with the score at 7-6 3-0.
Playing against Chinese opponent Xin Gao, Bolt looked set to lose the opening set before fighting back to win in straight sets 6-4 6-1.
Gao was aggressive from the opening point in the morning session before South Australian Bolt found his touch late in the opening set.
“He came out and made all his shots and made it really hard for me,” Bolt said.
“The first set could have easily gone the other way but I managed to scrap out a game and change the momentum.
“It was all my favour for the rest of the match.
“He just came out swinging and that put me on the back foot, that shocked me.
“By the end of the game, I felt like I was playing some of my best tennis.”
With $25,000 on the line over the next two days, Bolt feels he is reaching his peak form in Cairns.
“It is good to get to this point of a tournament feeling that way,” he said.
“It is going to be a tough battle, that is for sure.”
Tomorrow’s finals will commence from 11am.
The Cairns Tennis International is part of the Australian Pro Tour, a series of professional tennis events that bridge junior events and the ATP/WTA Tour.
I HAVE RESPECT FOR NATHAN. A YEAR AGO IT WAS A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR ME BUT I HAVE SEEN HIM THROUGH THE YEAR WORKING HIS BUTT OFF DAYNE KELLY ON HIS AMERICAN OPPONENT NATHAN PASHA