26 March 2017 | Tennis ACT

World No.220 Marc Polmans (VIC) has won ACT Claycourt International 2, his second title in as many weeks after defeating fellow Aussie Maverick Banes (QLD) 7-6[5], 6-7 [1], 6-4.

“I feel stoked, he said. “It ended up being a good call coming back from China, I’ve had some awesome matches throughout the week [so] really I couldn’t be happier to get the back-to-back win today.”

In what was a three-hour three set thriller, Polmans and Banes went head to head for the majority of the match, both players winning important points at the net and baseline.

“I was able to get that one break in the third [set] which proved to be the deciding factor in the match. But really, it could have gone either way so I’m just happy I played the big points a little bit better today.”

Long rallies finished by drop shots were a recurrent feature throughout the match.

“It was a tactic from the beginning of these two weeks to come to the net, it works a lot more effectively on the clay given my opponents footing may not be as stable. So I like to use a drop shot and come forward and keep them on their toes.

“I like playing on the clay. These courts have been unbelievable considering how much rain we’ve had so my body is feeling a lot better because of the clay, it’s nice and soft.

Going forward, Polmans plans to favour Canberra Pro Tour tournaments in his schedule.

“The majority of my points have come from Canberra. I enjoy the conditions and the weather, it suits me and my game very nicely so I’ll be definitely planning my schedule around the two challengers in Canberra later this year.

Following the singles final, Polmans took to the Canberra clay again late this afternoon and secured the ACT Claycourt International #2 doubles title as well as the singles alongside Bradley Mousley (SA) against second seeds Steven De Waard (QLD) and Scott Puodziunas (QLD) 6-4 7-6(4).

Polmans will now return to Melbourne to do a three week training block and recover before travelling to Europe to compete in both the French Open and Wimbledon qualifying rounds.

Today’s singles and doubles final matches conclude the ACT Claycourt International 2017 which included two Australian Pro Tour F1 Futures ITF tournaments from 11-26 March 2017 at the Canberra Tennis Centre.