Maverick Banes reflects on Tristan Schoolkate win at AO Wildcard Play-off
Australia's Maverick Banes said he knew he just had to keep pushing and it would pay off against fellow compatriot Tristan Schoolkate.
Banes, 27, edged out rising 18-year-old stat Schoolkate 4-6 6-0 4-6 7-5 7-5 in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off.
Schoolkate, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 863 in the world, won the 18/u Australian Championships last week.
The 18-year-old pulled off a surprise win over world No. 162 Andrew Harris in his opener at the wildcard Play-off event.
Two days later, he fell just short of earning another surprise win as Banes claimed the win in three hours and 17 minutes of play.
"I always knew in the back of my mind I was feeling great physically, that’s one of my strengths, and if I kept pushing I’d have a chance to break him," Banes said after beating Schoolkate, per AAP and Tennis Australia.
Former world No. 216 Banes will be fighting against 311th-ranked John-Patrick Smith for a place in the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off final.
Smith clinched the semifinal berth after overcoming Aleksandar Vukic in four sets.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2PdcmWn
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