World no. 168 Alex Bolt made a cracking start to his second-round Brisbane Challenger clash! A left-hander faced Govind Nanda in the second round of the Brisbane Challenger and prevailed 4-6, 7-6, 7-6 in three hours and 11 minutes.
Bolt fired eight aces in the opening eight points, providing two perfect holds and achieving an unprecedented feat! Hitting eight consecutive aces is rare, and it becomes even more complicated if you target them right at the start of the duel.
Of course, we do not have the records, but Alex is likely among only a few players who have achieved that on the professional level in the Open era.
Brisbane 1 Ch R2: THAT’S WHAT I CALLED A PERFECT START! 🔥
The match deserved my YT h/l for solely being a classic but Alex Bolt starting w/ 8 aces? 🤯
Alex went on to d. Govind Nanda 4-6, 7-6(8), 7-6(4) 👀
🎥 @ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/YBoOH9sBXX https://t.co/AyDu2hYSRu
— stateofsport21 // raz (she/her) (@eretzsport022) January 30, 2025
Govind did not hit a ball in the opening two return games. However, the American also served well and stayed in touch. Nanda delivered a break in the seventh game with a forehand down the line winner and held at 30 in game ten for 6-4.
Alex Bolt, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Govind saved four break points in the second game of the second set. They served well in the remaining ones and introduced a tie break. The American denied four set points and stood two points away from the finish line three times.
Bolt kept his composure and claimed the breaker 10-8 on his fifth set point, forcing a decider after an hour and 55 minutes. Nanda made a strong start to the final set. He clinched a break in the second game and provided three fine holds for a 4-1 advantage.
Alex Bolt, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Aussie faced the exit door after playing against two break points in game six. A left-hander denied them and held to remain within one break deficit. Alex pulled the break back in game seven and defended five break points in the next one for 4-4!
They served well in the remaining four games and introduced the deciding tie break. The Aussie attacked in the eighth point and landed a winner at the net for a 5-3 advantage. Bolt landed a forehand down the line winner at 6-4, sealing the deal and moving into the last eight.
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