Purcell reaches first ATP Tour final in Eastbourne

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 qualifier battled hard to earn 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 everything is coming together this week,” Purcell said. “It feels good. Qualifying last week in Halle gave me confidence, a couple of straight sets matches there. I felt that I was due to get a couple of wins.”

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Purcell saved both break points he faced in the third set and won 80 per cent (16/20) of his first-serve points according to Infosys ATP Stats to triumph after two hours and 15 minutes in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Harris.

The 26-year-old, who was competing in just his second tour-level semi-final, is the fourth qualifier in tournament history 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 competing in his first ATP Tour semi-final, having reached the last eight at Queen’s last week. The 29-year-old is up 23 spots to No. 116 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, while Purcell climbs 26 places to No. 68.

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