ALEX Bolt came to Sunraysia to win, and he has taken the first step towards Sunday’s Mildura International tennis Pro Tour final.
The 31-year-old left-hander from Murray Bridge, SA, accounted for Korea’s Ji-sung Nam in the opening round, 7-6 6-2, in almost 40-degree heat on Tuesday at the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club courts.
The top seed secured victory in an hour and 35 minutes, but despite the scoreline, the second set went to multiple deuces in almost every game.
Bolt however came up clutch when required as despite some scintillating Nam winners, he was able to maintain control of the match.
The International is back following a four-year hiatus following COVID and flooding in recent years.
“It was a really hot day and quite a tough opponent too, I’ve played him a few times in the past and they’ve always been close matches,” Bolt said after the match.
“With it being played on grass, it makes it tougher and probably more even, but luckily I brought some of my good tennis when it mattered and got over the line.
“I think especially on grass, you have to take it to them and be the aggressive player out there, otherwise you’re chances aren’t going to come around too often but when you are on defence, it’s all about making as many balls as possible.”
After both players held their serve in the opening set, it was the Aussie who clinched the tie-breaker.
Bolt also earned the first break point of the match to start the second set and while Nam pulled out some brilliant forehand winners on the run, he also made more errors while pushing for points.
Nam held advantage four times in the third game but was unable to convert, Bolt’s break point winner establishing a lead that would not be chased down.
“I grew up on the river in Murray Bridge so definitely accustomed to weather like this, but I love playing in these kinds of conditions,” he said.
“I love it here, I love grass court tennis which is what I grew up playing on, so this is quite a familiar surface and place for me.
“I came here to win the tournament, I want to be playing here in the final on Sunday and that’s the ultimate goal.”
Bolt will face the winner of New Zealander Ajeet Rai and Aussie wildcard Thomas Gadecki in the second round.
Meanwhile, second seed and 2015 Mildura champion Luke Saville accounted for compatriot Jayden Court in the final contest of the day on centre court.
The former world number 152 took nearly 90 minutes to complete the 6-2 6-3 result.
In the women’s draw, Japanese fourth seed Yuki Naito advanced over 16-year-old Aussie Bridget Mihulka, 6-4 6-2.
Only a few main draw singles matches took place with qualifiers still being completed on Tuesday morning.
Action continues on Wednesday at Mildura Lawn Tennis Club, headlined by women’s top seed Maddison Inglis facing 18-year-old qualifier Sienna Leeson.
Prodigy Emerson Jones, the 15-year-old who became the second Aussie in 28 years to reach the final of the Australian Open girls this year, is also in action against seventh seed Sakura Hosogi, of Japan.
