Bowman survives Holliday fightback

David Bowman needed to go the full distance to see off leading lady Cecely Holliday 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. Bowman started brilliantly, playing aggressively with the forehand and racing into a 4-0 lead. Holliday, however, found hers and quickly levelled to make it 4-4. Bowman survived breakpoint opportunities to hold for 6-5, and a couple of Holliday errors gave Bowman the set. Bowman started the second well, getting into a 3-1 lead. Again, Holliday fought back, blowing away Bowman off both sides. A double fault from Bowman gave Holliday the break to lead 5-4, and a netted Bowman backhand gave her the second set. Once again, it was Bowman who started brightly in the final set, and although the players traded early breaks, the Bowman forehand once again found its range, allowing Bowman to comfortable wrap up the match. “It was a tough match,” said Bowman afterwards. “You can clearly see why she has held her own for so long. I don’t think I’ve had that many winners put past me for a long time. Drop a ball short and it’s bye-bye!”