South Canterbury’s James Watt continues to make waves in the tennis world, clinching the doubles title at the ITF $25,000 tournament in Cairns alongside his Australian partner, Matt Hulme.
In a thrilling final held on Saturday night, Watt and Hulme triumphed over the top-seeded Australian duo of Joshua Charlton and Blake Ellis, winning 6-3, 6-7(5), 10-7. The victory marks a significant achievement for Watt, who, alongside Hulme, entered the tournament as the third-seeded pair.
This latest title continues an impressive run for Watt, who has been enjoying a purple patch in his career. The New Zealander and his partner Hulme reached back-to-back doubles finals in Darwin last month. Watt also made waves in the singles competition in Darwin, reaching the final and pushing Omar Jasika, a player ranked over 1100 places above him, to three sets.
Watt’s standout performance in Cairns is expected to elevate his doubles ranking to a career-high of 396. At the beginning of September, the 24-year-old was ranked 645 in doubles. His singles ranking, currently at a career-high 828, also reflects his rising prominence on the tennis circuit.
With his continued strong performances, Watt is steadily climbing the global rankings, setting the stage for further success in the world of professional tennis.
Related Topics
Tennis Legend and Style Icon Lea Pericoli Dies at 89, Tributes Pour in from Players
Nisga’a Nation Hosts Women’s Varsity Basketball Tournament
10-Year NBA Veteran Greg Monroe Retires and Joins Pelicans Staff
