17 December 2014 | Tennis Tasmania

Tasmanian top seed Harry Bourchier has gone one step further than last year and taken out the 18/u Australian Championship title with a 7-5 6-3 defeat of second seed Marc Polmans.

> view 18/u Australian Championships draws and scores

Playing for the third time in short succession, Bourchier and Polmans have developed a healthy respect for each other and – despite the blustery conditions – the match was always set to produce some great tennis.

“The last two matches [against Polmans] I’ve just got over line,” Bourchier said. “Even faced match points last time.

“I just had that extra belief today.”

As the match unfolded, the crowd was not disappointed. The first set reached 5-5 without a single break of serve as both players entertained with their powerful groundstrokes from the back of the court.

With Polmans serving to take things into a tiebreak, Bourchier found another gear and ripped three clean winners to earn himself a set point. He didn’t falter, and a miss from the 17-year-old Victorian handed Bourchier the opening set.

A slightly unnerved Polmans then gave away his opening serve in the second set as the Bourchier momentum continued to build.

“The wind died down a lot and I was able to really set up and hit the ball and get good balance,” Bourchier said about his surge during the middle of the match.

To his credit, Polmans was able to fight his way back into the kind of form that had seen him reach the final without the loss of a set.

However, Bourchier remained extremely solid and maintained his early advantage throughout the second set, eventually serving out the match.

“It’s a good win. Vocally, you could tell [Polmans] was around until the last point. He just works like a machine every point,” he said.

“I was happy to get out of it today.”

The win now sees Bourchier earn a place in Australian Open 2015 qualifying as well as take the final spot in next week’s Australian Open Wildcard Play-off.

“I’m just going to play loose and free,” Bourchier said.

“Definitely. I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Congratulations to Harry on this fantastic achievement and good luck for your summer of tennis!!