Bothwell achieves his lifetime ambition by taking Irish Open title
PETER Bothwell fulfilled a lifetime ambition yesterday when he captured the Irish Open men’s singles crown for the first time in his career.
The Hillsborough man came from behind to defeat second seeded English man Ryan James Storrie 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
His first singles success on the pro tour should see him rise into the world’s top 600, from his current ranking of 857, as the tournament had $25,000 status.
Bothwell said: “It’s one title I have always dreamed about winning and now I have finally done it I am really chuffed.”
“My grandfather, the late Sammy Tuff, took me to Dublin to watch it on many occasions when I was a youngster.
“From then on, it was my ambition to not only play it but to win it and I don’t think there have been many other Ulster players, who have managed to lift the title.
“The other ambition when I was a kid was to play Davis Cup tennis for Ireland and, having already done that as well, I am extremely happy.
Bothwell, the number seven seed, had to dig deep, storming back from losing the first set to come back and take the title against his 20-year-old opponent after a two-hour battle.
Having levelled at one set all, Bothwell, looked the more likely winner throughout the final.
He displayed more aggression and confidence than Storrie, who made his mark earlier in the competition by dumping out the top seed in the first round.
The 22-year-old added: “I knew what the game plan should have been in the first set but didn’t execute it well.”
“But I played a lot better in the second and third sets and I was able to feed off the home crowd, who gave me tremendous support.”
Bothwell will now take a few days off before heading to Portugal for another Futures Tour event next week.