Pro Tour Tennis 2023
Round One wrap
This week, the Darwin International Tennis Centre is holding the 2023 NT International the second of its $25,000 International Pro Tour Mens events with some of Australia’s best emerging pros battling it out alongside strong international challengers.
Tuesday and Wednesday saw the completion of the first round matches with a few upsets and surprises.
Yesterday saw the top two seeds bow out with injury. Last week’s finalist and second seed Blake Ellis was the first to go, retiring in the second set to Luke Sorensen. Sorensen had made the main draw after last week’s semi-finalist Moerani Bouzige had to withdraw from the tournament and is hoping to consolidate with a win this evening on Centre court against Ethan Cook.
Not long after Ellis’ retirement, top seed Dayne Kelly was unable to complete his first round match against Chicagoan qualifier Henrik Wiersholm, retiring at 4-4 in the first set. Henrik certainly has a lucky streak, as evidenced by his refreshing morning swim in the unpatrolled beaches of Darwin… we have urged him to stick to the Waterfront from herein.
Two other seeds had first round exits. 7th seeded Californian Jacob Brumm lost in straight sets to Japan’s Taiyo Yamanaka. Eighth seeded Aussie Brandon Walkin was also knocked out in straight sets by fellow Australian Kody Pearson.
Third seed Thomas Fancutt is now the highest ranked player left in the draw and had a huge first round battle with qualifier Tai Sach, squeezing through 7-5 6-7 6-4 in over three hours. New Zealand’s Ajeet Rai is the 4th seed and will likely be feeling fresher after his 6-3 6-1 win over Sam Ryan Ziegann. Also looming large in the draw is last week’s winner and 2019 champion Blake Mott. Mott is the 5th seed this week and took exactly an hour to move past Mason Naumovski 6-2 6-1.
Round Two preview
Thursday will see all second round matches played out from 3pm onwards. Entry is free at Darwin International Tennis Centre and all are welcome to come and check out the action.
First up on Centre Court, Blake Mott takes on qualifier Joshua Charlton. Charlton is having a great run in Darwin after making the doubles final last week and yesterday survived a mammoth three-set battle, beating Jesse Delaney in third set tiebreak.
Jesse’s brother Jake Delaney is second up on Centre Court against Zaharjie-Zak Talic followed by Ethan Cook and Luke Sorensen.
The doubles quarter-finals will be played in the evening across three courts with big serving and fast-paced action guaranteed.
The 2023 NT International continues until Sunday September 24 with action commencing at 3pm each day. Free entry.
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