Bowman fights back to beat Doolan

David Bowman ground out a hard fought 2-6, 6-4, 10-5ctb win over Pat Doolan at Brockwell Park. Playing in abysmal conditions, Bowman was rattled at first, and had no answer to Doolan's mix of lethal serves and ground stokes. With Doolan hitting forehand winners off both sides, Bowman normal attacking game was made redundant, and Doolan wrapped up the set comfortably. With the rain coming down much harder in the second set, Bowman made a crucial break midway, and served for the set at 5-3. Doolan found form, however, and broke back. Bowman managed to break again through to take the set on his third set point. Due to the conditions, both players agreed to play a championship tiebreak. An early mini-break put Bowman in command, and Bowman cruised through to win the match with a lovely backhand volley.

"I'm relieved," said Bowman afterwards. "I was out of the match at the start but somehow managed to claw myself back in. He's so difficult to play; you come in on his backhand and he passes you with a forehand!"