Former world no. 17 Bernard Tomic will chase his first Challenger title in over six years! The Aussie is through to the final of the Taube - Grossman Pro Tennis Tournament Challenger in Fairfield, achieving his best result since September 2018.
If he wins the title, the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist will return to the top-200 for the first time since March 2020, working hard on his comeback after a couple of dark years. Bernard is the 7th seed in Fairfield, playing well and defeating four rivals en route to the title clash.
He prevailed in the opening three matches, including saving two match points in the quarter-final against Alexis Galarneau. Tomic lost a lot of energy in that match, but there was nothing wrong with his game a day later. The Aussie faced his compatriot Tristan Schoolkate in the semi-final, earning a 6-3, 6-3 victory in an hour and 21 minutes.
Both players struggled to find the first serve, and the more experienced player took charge in the pivotal moments.
Bernard denied six of seven break points and delivered four breaks from nine opportunities, taking five points more than Tristan and sealing the deal in straight sets.
Tomic will face an 18-year-old, Learner Tien, in Sunday's final. Schoolkate made a shaky start, missing a forehand and facing two break points in the first game of the duel. He hit a double fault on the second, losing serve and sending his rival into an early advantage.
Tomic cemented the lead with a service winner in game two before facing issues at 2-1. The former top-20 player erased two break points with powerful serves and the third with a forced error, closing the game and maintaining his advantage.
Bernard secured another break in the fifth game, passing his opponent with a crafty slice and forging a 4-1 lead. The more experienced Aussie got broken at love in the sixth game before landing an ace two games later for a 5-3 advantage.
Bernard Tomic is through to his first Challenger final since September 2018.
Tristan served to stay in the set in game nine and struggled again, falling on the third set point with a wild forehand and allowing Bernard to claim the opener 6-3 in 36 minutes.
The lower-ranked player saved a break point in the first game of the second set with a service winner and overcame a couple of deuces en route to a hold. Tomic made a push on the return in the second game, causing the rival's mistake after a sharp return and earning his second straight break for a 2-0 lead.
The older Aussie held after a deuce in the third game and hit a double fault at 3-1, providing his opponent with a break chance. Bernard saved it with a service winner and held with a forehand crosscourt winner for a 4-1 advantage.
Schoolkate held at love in game six and generated a break point in the next one after Tomic's forehand error. The more experienced player saved it with a cracking forehand down the line winner and painted a backhand winner for a hold and a 5-2 lead.
Tristan served to stay in the match in the seventh game and landed a service winner, closing it at 15 and extending the battle. Bernard served for his first Challenger final in over six years and did that in style, firing four winners at 5-3 and moving into his sixth Challenger final.
The Aussie will face an in-form American and the top seed, Learnen Tien. An 18-year-old is through to his third Challenger final of the season following a 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Brandon Holt in an hour and 53 minutes. The former USC star recovered after a terrible start and claimed the second set with a late break.
However, Learnen denied four break points in the sixth game of the final set and grabbed a break in the next one that carried him over the top. Both players struggled to find the first serve, and Tien made the difference after landing it in, winning 40 of 48 points.
A teenager defended eight of ten break points and provided five breaks from ten opportunities, delivering the crucial one in the decider and arranging the duel against Tomic.
Learnen took charge in the opening set, outplaying his opponent on serve and return and delivering a bagel.
Holt extended his misery, suffering a break at the beginning of the second set and dropping the first eight games. A teenager saved break points in the sixth game and had a chance to seal the deal at 4-2. Brandon denied three break chances in the seventh game, extending the battle and returning at 4-5.
Tien squandered a match point and lost serve at the worst moment, keeping his rival in contention. Holt took charge and grabbed another break in the 12th game, rattling off four games and forcing a decider. They served well in the opening five games, and the young gun faced the ultimate challenge at 2-3.
Learnen played against four break points, saving them and remaining on the positive side. The younger American gained a boost and provided a crucial break in game seven for a 4-3 lead. Tien served well in games eight and ten, moving over the top and reaching his third Challenger final at 18.
