Kiwi beaten in challenger final

Queenstown tennis player Ben McLachlan has fallen at the final hurdle in his bid to win his first US$100,000 Challenger doubles title.

McLachlan, 25 and Australian Jarryd Chaplin were beaten in the final of the Monterrey Challenger in Mexico by Americans Evan King and Denis Kudla 6-7(4) 6-410-2 in one hour 19 minutes.

McLachlan entered the tournament ranked 235 in the world in doubles but should see his ranking improve to close to the top 200 mark said it was a tough final to lose but still gained from the experience.

"We had a good chance to take it out in straight sets but they played a great game to break us at 4-4 in the second set and from there it just kind of got away from us. It was a great tournament for us and one of the nicest tournaments Ive played so far in my career. I feel good about how my game is coming along, Ive been working hard and the result are starting to pay off at the Challenger level.

"Im grateful to have a supportive family behind me watching my matches on live stream and encouraging me. Its been great for my game having my brother (and coach, Riki) advising me what to work on. I feel my game has improved over the past few months because of him."

McLachlan will now play another Challenger tournament this week in Las Vegas before travelling to Australia where he will team up with fellow Kiwi Finn Tearney for a tournament near Melbourne.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from New Zealand Tennis