Bothwell is set to climb to new career high despite doubles loss

PETER Bothwell narrowly missed out on the chance to win a fifth ITF doubles title when he lost at the semi-final stage at the $15,000 tournament in Portugal last night.

Partnered by Great Britain’s Evan Hoyt, the Hillsborough man (right) went down 6-2, 4-6, 10-8 to Gonzalo Falcao (Portugal) and Diego Matos (Brazil).

However, the 22-yearold’s stock is set to rise after reached the penultimate stage of the tournament, having recently achieved a world doubles ranking of 507.

His career-best, set earlier this year, is 489 and he could well better that target when the latest ranking list in announced next week. Bothwell said: “I am going to train hard for the next two weeks and then head for the United States to take part in two or three challengers next month.”

“It was disappointing to lose the doubles, especially as it was so close in the final set but I have been happy with my recent form.”

Today, Bothwell hopes to be home in time to take part in the International Festival of Tennis scheduled for the Boat Club between 11am and 2pm.

He will joined in a series of exhibition matches by 1986 French Open semi-finalist, from Sweden, Mikael Pernfours and current English tour pro Marcus Willis.

Willis reached the second round at Wimbledon in 2016, losing to Roger Federer.