 Tasmanian Harry Bourchier works hard in yesterday’s three-hour Gallipoli Youth Cup final against South Australian Bradley Mousley at Leichhardt.
Sarah Harvey |
Fighting spirit key to successThe Queensland Times | 23 April 2012 AFTER an epic three-hour battle on Ipswich's clay courts, all victor Harry Bourchier wanted to do was head off to rest. "I'm pretty wrecked," the Hobart-based tennis player said after beating doubles partner Brad Mousley 7-6 5-7 6-4 in the Gallipoli Youth Cup final at Leichhardt. "I felt really good out there but I struggled. The last three games have been three-setters so it's been tough." The rising junior was glad he returned to Ipswich to claim his third title in a row. He had won the Optus 16s final at Leichhardt in early April before claiming his first ITF junior title at the Queensland Junior Claycourt championship in Bundaberg. "I'm heading back to Melbourne (his training base) and having a rest for a week then I'll head off to Europe," Bourchier said. He's hoping to play the junior grand slam events and bigger tournaments during his 12-week overseas campaign. Bourchier, 16, showed plenty of emotion in yesterday's final against the tournament's second seed at the George Alder Tennis Centre. "I got the job done so I was really happy with it," he said. Bourchier and Mousley are regarded as two of Australia's most exciting tennis prospects. They earlier teamed up to win the Gallipoli Youth Cup doubles tournament. They were the top-seeded combination. Ellen Perez won yesterday's girls singles final 6-4 6-2 over Isabelle Wallace who is representing Australia in this week's Junior Fed Cup tie in Bendigo. "It's been a great week, found some good weather and I guess I put in a pretty good performance," Perez said. "I played pretty well in the final." NSW-based Perez has a training block in Melbourne before chasing more success and experience in Pro Tour events in Europe and the United States. "This week's been good to work on things in my game," said the 16-year-old who enjoys playing on clay. "It's a different level. If you can step up, it's really good. "It gets my ITF a bit higher and I just want to go overseas and get in more main draws and stuff." Fifth seed Perez teamed up with Stephanie Yamada to win Saturday's doubles title. Yesterday's winners received a special momento to remember their achievements in Ipswich. The impressive trophies contained authentic sand from Gallipoli as a tribute to the Anzac spirit. The Gallipoli Youth Cup completed a terrific six weeks of competition in Ipswich's annual Festival of Tennis - see Thursday's Inside Edge.
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