Norfolk’s Richard Bloomfield completed a very satisfying week in the AEGON GB Pro-Series Nottingham, when capturing his first pro title of 2011.
For the second match in a row, the 27 year old recovered from losing the first set, to win. After an exchange of early breaks, the first set went to a tie break, which Bloomfield looked to be in control of when leading 6-3 with two mini breaks. However, Ward whose strong ground strokes were enhanced by a period of training in Spain on the red clay, tenaciously hung in to win 5 points in a row for the first set.
With rain clouds gathering at the beginning of the 2nd set, a key turning point seemed to be when play was suspended for rain with Alex Ward holding a break point at 2-2.
With the players returning to court after a one hour rain delay, strong serving from Bloomfield averted the break point, and then went on to hold serve. Using a shift of momentum to his advantage, the Norwich player then broke and closed out the 2nd set 6-3.
In a final set with very little to separate the two players, a decisive break saw Bloomfield serving for the match at 5-4. Ward saved the first match point with a superb winning backhand lob, then repeated the feat a point later with a passing shot. However, Bloomfield was not to be denied on his 3rd championship point, with another excursion to the net to seal victory 6-7(6) 6-3 6-4.