Hawke's Bay junior tennis representative Finn Reynolds is believed to be the first Kiwi to win the Australian 12 and under Spring Nationals title.
A Hawke's Bay Lawn club player, Reynolds yesterday beat the third seed, Stefan Norodom of South Australia, 6-2, 6-3 in his final at Sydney's Olympic Park Tennis Centre. The match was his eighth singles encounter in six days as he had to qualify.
"This is the highlight of my career," Reynolds said shortly after the event's prizegiving.
"I didn't know what to expect against Stefan as it was the first time I have played him. Saving two match points in my semifinal win put me in a good frame of mind for the final," Reynolds explained.
The Simon Winter-coached Reynolds, who finished 12th in the same tournament last year, was up against the top-seeded Alexander Crnokrak of Queensland in his semifinal. Crnokrak beat Reynolds in their previous encounter and won the first set 6-4 on Sunday.