Australian Max Purcell reached his first ATP Tour final on Friday at the Rothesay International, where he ended the run of British wild card Billy Harris.
The tournament battled to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win at the ATP 250 grass court event in Eastbourne.
“I have a new coach this week and I feel like everything is coming together this week,” Purcell said. “It feels good. Going into last week in Halle gave me confidence, a few sets in a row there. I felt like I had to get a few wins.”
[ATP APP]Purcell saved both break points he faced in the third set and won 80 percent (16/20) of his opening points according to Infosys ATP Stats to prevail after two hours and 15 minutes in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Harris.
The 26-year-old, who will be competing in the semifinals of his second level, is the fourth in the history of the tournament to advance to the title match. Purcell, who arrived in Eastbourne on a four-match losing streak, will play two-time champion Taylor Fritz or countryman Aleksandar Vukic in the final.
Harris was in his first ATP Tour final, reaching the last eight at Queen’s last week. The 29-year-old rose to 23 at No. 116 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, while Purcell climbed 26 places to No.
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