World no. 345 Philip Henning, who trains atCoppini Tennis Academy, qualified for thefifth Challenger event of his career. Philip fauled to achieve that in Lugano last week. The South African changed that at theThionville Challenger, beating two rivals and entering the main draw.
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Henning faced the 23-year-old Frenchman Lilian Marmousez in the second qualifying round and earned a 6-2, 7-6 victory in an hour and 46 minutes. The former Georgia Bulldogs standout had the upper had in the first set and clinched ten of the opening 13 games.
However, he dropped serve four times in a row in the second set and trailed 5-4. The South African pulled the break back to extend the set and denied three set points at 3-6 in the tie break to emerge at the top.
Lilian served at 52% and struggled behind the second serve. He dropped almost half of the points in his games and gave serve away four times from ten chances presented to his opponent. Philip denied five of seven break points and prevailed in the pivotal moments of the second set.
The South African produced two fine holds at the beginning of the duel. Hewelcomed the rival's double fault at 2-1 to grab a break and move in front. Philip held for 4-1 and saved two break points in the seventh game to keep his initial shot intact.
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Marmousez served to stay in the set at 2-5 and faced four set points. The Frenchman saved three before the South African seized the fourth after the rival's drop shot error for 6-2 in 41 minutes. Henning clinched a break in the second game of the second set and extend the gap.
The better-ranked player served well in games three and five, moving 4-1 in front with an ace down the T line. The South African missed a game point at 4-2 and sprayed a backhand error to lose serve and bring his rival back to the positive side.
Lilian made another push on the return in game nine and seized the fourth break point with a forced error to rattle off the fourth straight game. The Frenchman served for the set at 5-4 and suffered a break at 15 after a forehand forced error.
The set went into a tie break, and they traded four mini-breaks in the opening six points. Marmousez landed a drop shot winner at 5-3 to generate three set points. Philip saved them, the third with a crafty winner at the net for 6-6 and more drama.
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The South African passed his rival at the net with a backhand crosscourt winner for 7-6 and a match point. He converted it after the rival's forehand error, sealing the deal and moving into his fifth main draw at Challengers.
