No wanting again, Max Purcell has his sights set on an Australian Open seeding after making a bittersweet first-round exit from the US Open in New York.
Australian tennis’s shock packet of the yr provided no arduous emotions after falling 6-4 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-5) to impressed countryman Chris O’Connell on Tuesday.
Purcell had arrived at Flushing Meadows with a lofty career-high rating of No.43 on the planet after successful 10 of his previous 13 matches and reaching his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final in Cincinnati.
“It’s tough playing against Australians,” the 25-year-old stated.
“I try not to think about it much on court but as soon as that last shot went into the net I was pumped that he won and good luck for him the rest of the tournament.
“Chris performed rather well. After the primary two units, I attempted to alter up what I used to be doing a little bit bit and it labored for patches there. It would have been fascinating if it went to a fifth I feel however he performed actually and deserved it.”
Despite his premature exit, Purcell is only drawing positives from his breakout season.
In a remarkable transformation, the Sydneysider has morphed from 2022 Wimbledon doubles champion to top-50 singles star.
And he craves for more, with a top-32 ranking ahead of his home grand slam in January the next big goal.
“If you had have instructed me after Wimbledon with the place my ankle was at that I’d be sitting at 43 on the planet I’d take that, I’d be stoked,” Purcell said after being slated to edge up to 41st in the rankings after the final major of the year.
“It could be good to hit Australia with a seed and never should play a seeded participant for the primary two rounds could be nice.
“I’m not saying the unseeded players aren’t tough but it would be nice to kind of have that little number next to my name.”
Purcell can be anticipating a call-up from Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt for the Davis Cup round-of-16 stage in Manchester from September 12-17.
“It’s going to be nice having the next two weeks basically off singles,” he stated.
“And depending on Davis Cup, if they want me to play singles as well, so I get a little reset before hitting Asia.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
