Purcell stops Polmans to win Mornington
Sydney teenager Max Purcell exacts revenge on top seed Marc Polmans to take the title in Mornington and end the Victorian's epic Australian Pro Tour run.
Mornington VIC, Australia, 1 April 2018 | David Packman
Second seed Max Purcell has finally brought the unprecedented 24-match winning streak of Marc Polmans to a halt, defeating the Victorian in straight sets to claim the Mornington Peninsula Tennis International #2 title.
“I guess it had to end,” Purcell said of the top seed’s run which included four consecutive Australian Pro Tour titles in Launceston, Renmark, Mildura and last week in Mornington – in which the duo also fought out the final, albeit with a different result.
“It was a pretty similar match to last week,” Purcell, 19, said of Sunday’s final which he claimed 7-5 6-4. “The conditions were a little bit livelier which gave me more on serve but other than that I was just treating it like any other match.”
Purcell and Polmans are no strangers to each other on court, with the Sydneysider now holding a 3:1 edge over Polmans in their professional outings.
“I know he’s going to be out there until the very last point giving it everything he has, so I just had to try and match that and even be a bit better,” he said. “It feels good, my first title of the year. Marc’s already had four so it’s good that he’s sharing it around a little bit.”
With a string of victories now under his belt and his confidence on the rise, the world No.271 points to a positive shift in mentality. “I think it’s just my attitude. I’m just getting out there and really getting to it.”
Purcell now heads to Florida for a series of ATP Challenger events. “I’m happy with the run I’ve had. Hopefully I can bring that to the green clay on the American swing I have coming up.”
On Friday, brothers Adam and Jason Taylor – the third seeds – took the doubles title with a solid 7-6(4) 6-0 victory over Blake Ellis and Michael Look.
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