Final Eliminator from Chicago
The Final Eliminatorwas played over the challenge format of the best of 13 sets in Chicago.
Tuesday 18th March
SV opened the match taking the first game but CR responded to level the match 1-all. CR then extended his lead to 3-1 with a deuce game and then a love game. CR continued to find the grille and edged ahead to 4-1. SV countered with two main wall-dedans and a grille to close the gap to 2-4, in a love game. CR defended two long chases successfully and hit the grille to lead 5-2. With SV serving and playing with more purpose and aggression, he pulled back to 3-5. A wonderful reste followed at 30-all but SV won both chases to trail by a game, 4-5. SV then saved two set points which led to three deuces, before finally levelling 5-all. The eleventh game reached 30-all, before CR had a further set, admirably defended by SV. But CR took his fourth set point to gain the early initiative, 6/5.
In the same pattern as first set, the second set saw the players exchange the first two game to 1-all. Again, it was CR who made the early running and reached 4-1, playing exceptional recovery shots and making it increasingly difficult for SV to kill the ball. SV needed to respond but CR hit two more grilles to lead 40-0. SV now showed remarkable patience to inch back into the game, reaching deuce. Two more deuces followed before SV secured the game 2-4. SV continued to inch back to 3-4. But CR now steadied his game to lead 5-3. Another set point for CR, but SV hits the grille for deuce. Another set point went begging but he took his third and the second set; 6/3. This now meant CR was not to be beaten on the night, leading by two sets to love.
Both players started the third set cagily to reach 1-all. The long third game saw both players hold the advantage but once again CR persevered to 2-1. Three winning shots helped CR to 3-1, followed by two quick games to 5-1. Two set points to CR but he only needed the first, winning a hazard chase and the third set 6/1. CR now led by three sets to love. The spectators remained very quiet; CR had now stepped up his game and looked unbeatable.
SV started the fourth set more aggressively and a long first game ensued; but it was CR who took it after multiple deuces. CR played another confident game for 2-0. SV then hit back, hitting the grille for 1-2. This inspired CR who raced ahead to 5-1, at this point in the match hitting the grille with ease. In the seventh game, CR reached three set points and took the first one - 6/1.
The result gave Camden a perfect lead after the first day's play; with Steve needing to find something for Thursday's encounter. CR leads SV 6/5 6/3 6/1 6/1
Thursday 20th March at 2200
The second day's play opened with the players sharing the first pair of games; but it was CR who forged ahead and established a 4-1 lead. Some unforced errors from SV in the sixth game extended the lead to 5-1, but he then found his targets to pull back to 2-5. CR quickly reached two set points and converted the first to secure the set 6/2 and extend his lead to five sets to love.
The sixth set saw CR continue his dominance, winning the first two games. A long, third game followed and both players had game points but CR maintained his momentum to lead 3-0. SV fought back to 3-all to stem the flood, hitting his targets and playing with much more consistency. An inspired CR then lifted his game to reach 5-3, before reaching two set points in the next game and converting the first to win the set 6/3. CR had extended his lead to six sets to love; and needed just one more set.
SV took the first game of the seventh set, but CR's resilience seemed unstoppable as he recovered to 2-1. But an inspired SV found some momentum to lead 4-2, winning three games in a row, playing some clever Tennis. CR played two perfect games to level at 4-all and another short game to lead 5-4. CR held two match points in the next game; SV defended the first but not the second for CR to take the seventh (and final) set 6/4. CR won the match seven sets to love, winning the right to play Rob Fahey in Melbourne in May for the World Championship.
Saturday 22nd March at 1900 not required
All times local UK