Scott Duncan and James MacKinlay head into the annual inter-county tennis championships with the East of Scotland men’s team next week on the back of a remarkable never-say-die success to lift the Nottingham Challenger doubles title.
The Edinburgh pair fought back from 2-9 (first to 10) adrift against Charles Broom and Mark Whitehouse to win the decider 20-18 with THIRTEEN match points saved.
“I don’t know if the number of match points saved was a record but it was certainly the subject of an Italian tennis podcast” recalled Scott, adding:
“It was complete madness.”
The final victory was the third of Scott’s career in the second tier Challenger ranks and a first for James.
Scott added: “At 2-8in the decjding tie-break I said to James ‘imagine if we could pull this one off’ not really thinking it could happen.
“But gradually we chipped away until we got right back into the match and it was our turn to feel nervous.
“Eventually I read our opponents serve at 19-18 – by this time I had an idea about where serves were going – and clocked a backhand to force a volleying error.
“It was an unbelievable feeling.”
Since returning from four months out with a back injury – his world ranking slipped from 167 to 268 – Scott has made a habit of winning key tie-breaks as he makes up for lost time.
“Tie breaks didn’t always go for me last year so maybe things are evening out now” he said while preparing to play a quarter final with James at the ATP Challenger in Pozoblanco, Spain, which unfortunately the Capital pair lost in three sets.
As for the LTA’s annual summer county cup at Eastbourne next week the East men have finished Division One runners up in each of the past two seasons.
Retaining a place in the top tier this year would be a realistic challenge with US based pro’s Jake Fearnley and Matt Rankin unavailable as is long serving captain Alan Macdonald fresh from an extensive stretch coaching Jamie Murray on the pro tour.
Euan McIntosh takes over the captaincy from Macdonald with the rest of the squad comprising anglo debutant Reece Watters, Lance Nisbet, Jamie Hunter and Sam Macneill.
Thistle’s Hunter makes a return to county week after several years absence.
Among the group one opponents will be North of Scotland prompting suggestions that former world No 1 doubles player Jamie Murray could turn out.
“Jamie faced us when we were in division two or three a few years ago so it could happen” says Scott, relishing that possible challenge.
James, left, and Scott are pictured after their Nottingham triumph
