Mark Nielsen really wanted to lie back and relax this past week.
On the go all year trying to make his way as a professional tennis player, he was tempted to skip the $14,000 New Zealand Residential championships in his Forrest Hill backyard, like Davis Cup pal Alistair Hunt.
But New Zealand's hardest working pro was driven to enter by the prizemoney he collects little of on the world tour's underbelly. Nielsen earned the money and much more yesterday, winning his second Residential singles title worth $2500 and joining beaten finalist James Greenhalgh for the doubles title.
No 1 junior Leanne Baker also achieved the women's double in successive years, beating Auckland champion Niki Tippins 6-1 6-1 in a show of panache.
Top seed Nielsen's gradual 6-4 6-1 wipeout of fifth seed Greenhalgh fortified his case for another wildcard into the ATP Auckland Open next month, demanding Auckland Tennis serve the best interests of New Zealand tennis by upholding free berths for Nielsen, Hunt and Brett Steven.
PICTURED: Leanne Baker on her way to victory.
Herald Picture/ Kenny Rodger
Tennis: Nielsen has rich payday
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