Bourchier survives to reach second straight 18s final
Top seed Harry Bourchier has come through a tough three-set semifinal to set up a boys' 18/u Australian Championships decider against No.2 seed Marc Polmans.
Melbourne VIC, Australia, 12 December 2014 | David Packman
Tasmanian top seed Harry Bourchier has staved off a dogged Mitchell Robins 6-7(5) 7-5 6-2 to reach the final of the boys 18/u Australian Championships at Melbourne Park on Friday afternoon.
The pair was locked in a furious battle over the first two sets with sixth-seeded Robins eventually standing on the brink, serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set after pocketing the first in a tense tiebreaker.
Unfortunately for the Queenslander, he was not able to capitalise and Bourchier pounced, lifting his game to level the set and immediately breaking again to square proceedings at a set apiece.
The decider belonged to the top seed as he used his experience and greater power to full effect, easing his way into Saturday’s final.
“He didn’t really let me in for the first or second set,” Bourchier said. “When my first opportunity to break and get on top of him came, that’s what I did, so I’m really lucky I converted then.”
> view the boys’ 18/u Australian Championships draw
The other semifinal belonged to second seed Marc Polmans; the Victorian continued his outstanding run defeating fellow Victorian and fourth seed Daniel Nolan in two straightforward sets, 6-3 6-4.
Polmans, 17, has not dropped more than 4 games in a set all week and looks to be in ominous form.
Bourchier knows he will be in for a battle, but also feels he has what it takes to snare the title.
“I’m confident,” he said. “I’ve beaten [Polmans] the last couple of times. Good matches. I’m just really looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what we both can bring.
“If he can play as good as [Robins] today then it’s going to be a tough match for me.”