BURNIE/STARNBERG, February 11, 2024
Adam Walton has clinched his second career title on the ATP Challenger Tour by winning the Burnie International 2. Following his triumph in Cary, United States last year, the top seed of the $82,000 hard-court event defeated fourth favourite and fellow Australian Dane Sweeny 6-2, 7-6(4) in Sunday’s singles final at the Burnie Tennis Club.
Walton, 24, struck eight aces, won 68 per cent of his first-service points and broke his rival four times to prevail after one hour and 49 minutes.
Aussie Aussie Aussie 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺@AdamWalton99 secures a second career Challenger title, besting Sweeny 6-2, 7-6(4) in Burnie #ATPChallenger | @TennisAustralia pic.twitter.com/PZrnU6FzoC
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) February 11, 2024
The 24-year-old Brisbane native battled his way to the championship match with wins in the top half of the draw over Australian lucky loser Jacob Bradshaw, US-American qualifier Andre Ilagan, No. 8 seed Philip Sekulic of Australia and his fifth-seeded compatriot Trsitan Schoolkate.
Walton, who played college tennis at the University of Tennessee, pocketed $11,200 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.
Joint earns maiden Pro title
In the women’s competition, Australian teenager Maya Joint lifted her first trophy on the Pro Circuit. The 17-year-old World No. 483 defeated five higher-ranked opponents en route to the title.
Joint overcame Aoi Ito of Japan 1-6, 6-1, 7-5 in a one-hour 44-minute final to capture her maiden title on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
👏🏆 Maiden Singles Title ⤵️
17 year old 🇦🇺 Maya Joint (WC) is the ITF W75 Burnie singles champion – 1-6, 6-1, 7-5 def 🇯🇵 Aoi Ito.
Joint swapped her allegiance from 🇺🇸 to 🇦🇺 last year. Dad is from Melbourne, Mum is German.
+113 rankings spots to 333 Live. #TheFirstServe pic.twitter.com/le8XndF6LQ
— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) February 11, 2024
