Alex Bolt: 'Crowd gave me energy to get over the finish line'
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The world no. 155 received a wild card for the main draw and he used it with both hands, beating two rivals to crack the top-130 for the first time in a career and also secure a big paycheck. Bolt, who trains here in Melbourne, overpowered Simon in the second serve department, creating 18 break chances but converting only five, keeping Gilles in the match and having to play against those match points in the fourth set tie break.
Alex had to give his very best to prevail in that set, coming from a break down and saving another break point at 5-5 that could have provided a pivotal lead to the Frenchman had he converted it. Bolt somehow stayed in the match and despite losing the advantage in the decider he made one last push and broke Gilles in game nine before placing a backhand down the line winner on own serve in the next game to wrap up an impressive win and start a massive celebration with his fans.
Yeah, I dont know. I think it was a lot to do with just backing myself, I guess trying to play to my strengths. Obviously the crowd support was amazing. I feel like they really gave me the energy to get over the line.
Ive always known that I can play at this level. But I guess the thing with me is being able to maintain that level. But, yeah, I today I felt like I was able to maintain it and I ended up playing pretty good. Yeah, to be honest, I havent really had any time to just sit down and reflect on it all yet.
Yeah, Im extremely proud of myself. Its been an unbelievable week so far. Hopefully I can keep the roll, keep it going. Once the tournament is done, Ill probably sit down and have a think about how good this tournament has been for me.
I enjoy playing tennis a lot more than before I took that break. I dont live and die by winning and losing any more. Im just out on court trying to have as much fun as I can. I enjoyed training, like training hard, working hard on the practice court and in the gym.
As soon as I came to, like, a match situation, I just hated being on court. Im not really sure why. I just wasnt enjoying. I would always get angry. I just wasnt enjoying my time on court.
