Melbourne-based Steven de Waard (QLD) has advanced to the quarterfinals of ACT Clay Court International #1 after defeating Harry Bourchier (TAS).
“It’s a bit of a shock really,” the self-proclaimed doubles specialist said of his successive wins in Canberra. “I enjoy playing here, I’ve done alright.”
On the back of an upset win over the top seed, Jordi Samper-Montana of Spain, his opponent Bourchier looked to be in some solid form, but de Waard was equal to the task on Thursday, seeing off the Tasmanian 21-year-old in three tight sets, 7-5 3-6 6-4, in just over two hours.
“He came off a really good win last round,” de Waard said of Bourchier. “Sometimes it can be tough to back up after beating a guy like that.”
The doubles world No.158 also expanded on his current plans to focus on that persuasion. “I’m having a bit more success on the doubles court at the moment, so I’m trying to head down that pathway,” he said. “I’m just trying to play as much doubles as possible and keep the ranking heading in the right direction.”
The 25-year-old was unfortunately unsuccessful in his doubles semifinal on Thursday, he and partner Scott Puodziunas, the second seeds, falling to Queenslanders Maverick Banes and Gavin van Peperzeel 4-6 7-6(4) [10-8].
De Waard will now face Banes in a singles quarterfinal, the No.8 seed a three-set winner over Japan’s Sora Fukuda.
“He got me comfortably last time, so we’ll see what happens,” de Waard said of the upcoming encounter.
The remaining quarterfinals see fourth seed Blake Mott play American Evan King while Greg Jones and Omar Jasika, the No.3 seed, will fight it out for a semifinal berth.
Jones overcame last week’s Mildura winner Dayne Kelly in three sets while Jasika made short work of Alex Bolt, defeating the South Australian 6-0 6-2.
Finally, second seed Marc Polmans edged out Mildura finalist Bradley Mousley in three sets and will now face Kiwi Jose Statham, a runaway victor over Japanese qualifier Kazuma Kawachi 6-1 6-0.
The doubles final will play out on Friday 17 March (not Before 2pm) where American third seeds Evan King and Nathan Pasha [3] will face Aussie duo Maverick Banes and Gavin Van Peperzeel [4].
Keep up to date with live scores: tennis.com.au/protour/scores
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