A decision to visit Canberra again has paid off in a big way for Marc Polmans. After reaching the final of the Challenger event in 2016, Polmans has dominated on clay to win back-to-back over consecutive weeks.
“I’m super happy to have gone back-to-back, I always seem to play my best here,” Polmans said. “It ended up being a good call to come back from China where I was going to play some tournaments.”
In the ACT Clay Court International #1, Polmans emerged from qualifying to go all the way, defeating Blake Mott in the final. This time Polmans was a direct entry in the main draw as the no. 2 seed.
The final was played under sunny skies, a rare sight this week in Canberra as the tournament was frequently delayed by rain. Queenslander, Marverick Banes defeated no. 1 seed Jordi Samper-Montana in the semi, started well and took the opening set 7-6(5). Polmans who was playing in his 13th singles match over two weeks was not giving in and he fought back to take the match to a third set after winning the second in a tie-break.
Video showing some games from the opening set of the final.
Video showing some games from the third set
With a break in the third set, Polmans went on to claim his second title of the year, 6-7(5), 7-6(1), 6-4.
Looking ahead in 2017, Polmans will train for three-weeks in Melbourne before heading over to Europe with qualifying for the French Open and Wimbledon as his main goals.
During his victory speech Polmans said, “good afternoon everybody, thanks for hanging around and watching the battle. I know it was a long match, and thanks for all the support. I would also like to thank Mavo, on a great week and a great match today, it could have gone either way, just a few points in it, best of luck in your next tournament in the States. I would also like to thank my coach, Peter Luczak, he is the reason I think I won these last two weeks, so thank you Luch for all the help you give me. I also would like to also thank all the supervisors, Lenka, Scotty, all the linesman, ball kids, you guys have an amazing effort this week and I appreciate all the help, and thank you to NextGen for having us this week, I know it is been pain having all us tennis players in there, but thanks, I appreciate all the help, and thanks everybody.”
Post match interview
Marc Polmans being interviewed by WIN Canberra
Runner-up Maverick Banes (left) and tournament champion Marc Polmans
The finalists with the ball kids and linespeople
Maverick Banes said in the presentation about Polmans, “an unbelievable competitor, not only this week, but last week. he played something like 15, 20 matches in the last two weeks, still going strong, so well done Marcy, you’re a beast.”
