Levy leapfrogs Boulanger
The puzzle to find this year’s top local tennis player is at least one piece closer to being complete, with local Michael Levy sealing a grand final berth in the Benalla Gardens Tennis Championships with a thrilling finish over friend and Frechman Jeremie Boulanger.
But in a twist, the second semi-final is now in doubt, with Matt Crittenden indicating he may withdraw from his match with Oliver Vaultier.
Perfect twilight tennis weather greeted the first semi-final competitors, Levy and Boulanger, on Monday night.
Boulanger, who grew up in the Normandy region in France and played most of his junior tennis on clay courts has had little problem adapting to the quality facilities at the Gardens Tennis Club, and set about making the rallies and games as long as possible right from the first return.
Pouncing early, Boulanger broke Levy’s serve in the first game which took over five minutes.
Long, strategic rallies continued all the way through the first set, which was evenly poised at 3-all after almost 35 minutes.
An almost flawless subsequent service and return games allowed Levy to take the first set 6-3 in an hour of play.
Moving into the second set, the standard of play did not drop a beat, with both players dominating parts of the set.
Levy served for the match at 5-3, but was brilliantly broken by Boulanger, who then held serve to level the match 5-all.
In another back-and-forth contest, Levy broke Boulanger, who broke Levy right back to force a tie-break.
In the end though it was Levy who prevailed, clinching the tiebreaker to win the match, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
After the match a relieved Levy said the final had been the best match he and Boulager had ever played against each other, and gave credit to Boulanger’s efforts.
‘‘That was a great match against a great friend,’’ Levy said.
‘‘Jeremie’s level was really high and he stayed calm and consistent.
‘‘I would have lost that first set to him 90 per cent of the time, but I tried my hardest to keep with his level.
‘‘It’s always nice to win. But when you both play to that level, I think it’s enjoyable regardless of whether you win or lose.
‘‘I would not have been upset if I had lost to him tonight. That was seriously close, quality, fun tennis.’’
Boulanger also congratulated Levy on the win.
‘‘I made him play to his best. It was a really fun, tight match,’’ he said.
Levy will await his Open title grand final opponent, with the second semi-winner still to be decided.
If Crittenden does withdraw from the match, Vaultier would automatically progress to play against Levy in this year’s final, while Boulanger would be awarded the Plate Championship given Crittenden’s withdrawal and inability to play off for that final.
‘‘We hope the second semi can take place, but it’s really up to Matt now. We won’t know until later in the week,’’ a spokesperson for the Gardens Tennis Club said.
‘‘But what we do know is if Vaultier does go to play Levy, it’s going to be a quality match either could win.’’
The second-semi is expected to be played either Tuesday or Thursday night this week, ahead of the Open Final scheduled to take place at the Garden’s Tennis Club from 5.30 pm on Monday, May 25.
Fine tennis weather is forecast with the match expected to take place as scheduled.
In the event the second semi-final can occur a Plate Final will be played at 5.30 pm Tuesday, May 26, at the same venue.
Spectators are welcome to attend with plenty of room for social distancing.