The Rise Of Peniston Continues In Eastbourne

Ryan Peniston had not played a tour-level match entering last week’s Cinch Championships, but he has not looked back since.

After reaching the quarter-finals at The Queen’s Club, the Briton made a good start to his run at the Rothesay International on Tuesday. Peniston rallied past #NextGenATP Dane Holger Rune 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 to reach the second round.

“Very, very happy with that. Tough start, but managed to fight thanks to you guys. Very happy with the win,” Peniston said in his post-match interview. “It’s been madness to be honest. A couple weeks ago it was a lot different. Now things have changed a little bit, but I’m loving it.”

Eighth seed Rune held a mini-break advantage at 4/3 in the second-set tie-break and was within two points of victory at 5/5, but was unable to convert. Peniston hit a deep backhand return to clinch the second set and never looked back.

The lefty won 72 per cent of his second-serve points to set a second-round clash against a Spaniard: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina or Pedro Martinez.

Italian Lorenzo Sonego also moved on with a 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(1) win against Australian qualifier James Duckworth.