Max Purcell has made a huge breakthrough in the week before Wimbledon, the Australian maverick having battled all the way through qualifying and the main draw to reach his first ATP Tour final at the grass-court Eastbourne International.
Purcell, whose only previous ATP semi-final had been at the same Devonshire Park venue on England's south coast in 2021, repelled another comeback from the British breakout star Billy Harris to prevail 6-4 4-6 6-4 on Friday.
"I've been struggling so this is huge," said the 26-year-old Purcell, who has been in danger of slipping out of the top 100 after his breakthrough 2023 season but now finds himself set to burst back from No.94 at least into the top 70.
