TENNIS: A big day at the Tennis Academy where mixed results kicked off the Australian charge for gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

All our tennis athletes were in action during the afternoon, with Harry Bourchier and Marc Polmans taking to the court for the first round of the Men’s singles competition, while Naiktha Bains and Priscilla Hon teamed up for the first round of the Women’s Doubles.

Fifteen minutes into the first round of matches the heavens opened up and washed out the courts, delaying all matches for about two hours; A problem these players are used to.

“I guess we’re pretty used to it playing in different climates and different countries so the weather’s always going to be different,” Bains said as she prepared to take the court for her first women’s doubles match.

“We just have to prepare the best we can, stay focused, relaxed and don’t let it bother you that much. When you’re eager to play you just want to play and it pushes it later and later so you get a bit more tired.”

Following the rain delay, Bourchier resumed play against Petar Conkic of Serbia, but the extra humidity in the air slowed the ball and played havoc with his usual style of play, resulting in him dropping the first set 5-7.

“I thought to myself 6-2 6-2 from here, but that’s a lot harder said than done,” Bourchier said.

The big hitting teen repeatedly broke his opponent’s serve, which handed him the second set 6-0, before showing his strength and endurance by clinching the third and final set 6-3.

“After the rain delay I was a little bit slow out of the box which cost me the first set, but definitely re-grouped for the second and third “

 “Really exciting to get through, I’ve played him earlier in the year and didn’t manage to get through after being on top.

In other matches, Polmans fought valiantly against Kamil Adrian Majchrzak of Poland, but unfortunately went down 2-6 3-6.

Before the conclusion of Polmans match, Bains and Hon took to a nearby court and began dominating Olympic mixed team Greetje Minnen and Ojasvinsee Singh, quickly taking the first set 6-2 before continuing their aggressive style to secure the second set 6-3.

Tomorrow, it’s the girls turn to begin their hunt for gold in the Women’s singles match, while Polmans and Bourchier team up in the doubles.

Sam Rawlings                          
Olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam