TENNIS
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WEST Tamworth tennis gun Ciaran Lavers is through to the round of 16 at the Australian U16 Nationals being played at Melbourne Park.
He’ll match up against South Australia’s Lawrence Bataljin today after a three-set victory over Justin Levin
yesterday.
The Victorian is ranked more than 150 places higher than Lavers in the overall national standings and took the first set 3-6.
But once Lavers got rid of his nerves and loosened up he took control winning the next two sets 6-1, 6-2.
“He said he played an all court game,” father Rick said.
It was Lavers fourth game in three days.
He had to play three qualiyfing games just to make it into the main draw.
There were 64 in the qualifying draw from which only the top eight made it through.
Lavers won all three of his games.
He won his first match on the Monday in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 and followed that with a 6-7, 6-0, 6-1 win.
Then on Tuesday he confirmed his spot in the main draw with a 6-0, 6-4 victory.
Bataljin will be tough. He’s seeded five for the tournament and ranked 85 in the country.
Making the top 16 though is a huge effort.
Lavers is stepping up to the 16s after finishing sixth in the U14s nationals last year.