In an all-Australian match at the ATP Challenger $150,000 event in Bangalore, India, Marc Polmans faced Maverick Banes. The latter held a 6-3 head-to-head advantage going into the match, however, Polmans had won the two most recent matches.
Polmans opened the serving with a double fault. A Banes unforced error followed. Banes then had two winners to see him earn a break point in the opening game. He wasted that opportunity when he sent the return well long. Polmans then missed a shot just wide to give his fellow Australian another look at a breakpoint. An ace saved the next one. A missed forehand from Banes saw Polmans hold serve.
Canberra – 30 October: Men’s round one singles match – Australia’s Marc Polmans on centre court in his match against fellow Australian James Duckworth. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com)
That first game would be the only winning game of the set for Polmans, the world no. 145. Banes, the world no. 265 raced through the set to take it 6-1. Polmans was getting a look at break points but failed to convert from the three that he earned, Banes, on the other hand, converted three from six.
In the second set, it was Polmans that got the only break of the set, that came in the fifth game. Polmans was made to work for the game at 5-4 when he was serving for the set, he faced break back points, but held on to take the second set 6-4.
In the third set, it was Polmans who was now getting on top and he had an early break. The Victorian would add another break when he broke to love in the seventh game to race away with the set and seal a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 win. The win turned around his first-round loss at the Apis Canberra International on 30 October.
Canberra – 30 October: Maverick Banes in his round one match. (Photo by Rob Keating – http://robiciatennis.com)
There are 125 rankings points up for grabs for the tournament winner. It is probably looking too far ahead, but if Polmans is able to lift the champions trophy he would close in on a top-100 ranking. Depending on other results the current world no. 145 could end up at around no. 115.
Polmans’ training partner Max Purcell is also competing at this tournament. He faces Brayden Schnur from Canada in the first round. Polmans is also playing doubles with the top seed from the singles tournament, Radu Albot from Moldova.
