Perth’s Matthew Ebden is on the verge of breaking back into the top 100 after a hard-fought 7-6(4) 6-4 victory over second seed Taro Daniel (JPN) at the Apis Canberra International on Sunday.
The 29-year-old, who started the year at “basically zero” after missing most of 2016 with a knee injury, served well and attacked the net with gusto.
“I forced myself to stay aggressive … and it paid off in the end. It’s really nice obviously to win here at home,” Ebden, a former AIS scholarship holder, said.
“I knew I had to execute my game pretty well today, that was key.”
The tournament’s third seed took command of the match early, breaking Daniel in the second game of the match.
However, Ebden was unable to serve it out as Daniel, who took Rafael Nadal to four sets at this year’s US Open, broke back with some brilliant passing shots in the ninth game.
The third seeded Ebden was not deterred. Solid serving and more net rushing soon gained the early advantage in the tiebreak, eventually winning it 7-4.
A solitary break in the seventh game of the second set was all the world No.117 needed.
“I knew my level my good,” Ebden said. “I started playing well in January, February and made quarter-finals of Memphis and started winning matches in the tour events and made my first final in Newport, so that was great, and then it just kicked on from there.”
Ebden will finish off his impressive comeback season with some tournaments in Japan.
“I’ll just try to finish the year as best I can and see how high I can push up in the rankings, basically, just get things set for next year,” he said.
“It’s always an unbelievable time for us coming back at the end of the season, being home in Australia, the weather’s good, December, January, the Australian summer – there’s nothing better in the world so I’ll look forward to that.”
About the Apis Canberra International
The Apis Canberra International 2017 was held from 28 October – 5 November at the Canberra tennis Centre. A USD$75,000 ATP Challenger and ITF Women’s USD$60,000 event, the tournament attracted players from 19 countries.
Men’s Singles Final
[3] Matthew Ebden (AUS) d [2] Taro Daniel (JPN) 7-6(4) 6-4
Women’s Singles Final
[6] Olivia Rogowska (AUS) d [4] Destanee Aiava (AUS) 6-1 6-2
Men’s Doubles Final
[3] Alex Bolt (AUS) / Bradley Mousley (AUS) d [2] Luke Saville (AUS) / Andrew Whittington 6-3 6-2 (AUS)
Women’s Doubles Final
[1] Arina Rodionova (AUS) / Asia Muhammad (USA) d [3] Jessica Moore (AUS) / Ellen Perez (AUS) 6-4 6-4
Final draws can found here
Latest
ACT