Alex Bolt, a 19 year old from Murray Bridge, has won his maiden ITF Pro Tour tournament with a 5-7 6-3 6-1 win over Adam Feeney in the final of the City of Onkaparinga International held at the\u00a0Happy Valley Tennis Club.<\/p>\n
The left-handed Alex currently holds a world ATP ranking of 651 and has made an impressive passage through to today’s final not dropping a set. In round 1 Alex defeated qualifier Daniel Nolan 6-1 6-1. He was even more comprehensive in round 2 dispatching Japanese opponent Yusuke Watanuki 6-1 6-0. His Quarter Final against Ryan Thomas was a 6-4 6-1 affair and in yesterday\u2019s Semi against third seed James Lemke, Alex triumphed 6-1 7-6.<\/p>\n
27 year old Adam Feeney was born in Gosford, New South Wales and is a former Champion of this tournament, winning in 2007 against Miles Armstrong. Adam also took out the 2010 doubles title here when he paired with local Colin Ebelthite.<\/p>\n
Currently ATP ranked 521, Adam has been ranked as high as 248. His run in this tournament has been an all-Australian affair \u2013 In the first round, Adam defeated Mitchell Pritchard 6-0 6-2 and in the second round won 6-4 6-1 over Matt Roso. In a tense quarter final against fourth seed Matthew Barton, Adam won 7-6 7-5, but it was yesterday\u2019s semi final against Luke Saville that was the most remarkable match of the tournament so far. Adam dropped the first set 6-3 and found himself 5-3 and 40 love down in the second \u2013 In an amazing turn around, Adam survived those 3 match points and triumphed 3-6 7-5 6-3.<\/p>\n
Composure is a feature of Feeney\u2019s game, and was on show from the outset as he claimed the first set 7-5.<\/p>\n
Bolt was outwardly showing signs of frustration as he was unable to get into the his rhythm, but dug deep to take the second set 6-3 and suddenly the final was headed to a third set for the first time in its eight year history. The large gallery was unable to predict the outcome from here as both players had displayed some quality tennis to this point and there was every chance the experienced Feeney would strike back.<\/p>\n
Early in the final set, Feeney was forced to call for the physio to treat a thigh complaint, and whilst he gallantly played on, his movement was no doubt\u00a0hindered. Bolt seized on the opportunity, showing off some of his prodigious talents in the process\u00a0as he deservedly took out the title.<\/p>\n
Both players now make their way to Port Pirie for the Nyrstar Tennis International with the Main Draw commencing Tuesday.<\/p>\n