Shepp and Becroft take positives from tough ASB Classic qualifying tests

Two young New Zealanders gained valuable experience in qualifying at the ASB Classic on Saturday, both running into higher-ranked opponents but taking positives from the challenge.

Anton Shepp was beaten 7-5 6-2 by Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, a player ranked 82 in the world, while Isaac Becroft went down 6-3 6-2 to France’s Hugo Gaston, who’s at 94 in the world.

For Shepp, although he hoped to have won the match, it gave him further belief that he’s not far away from players at the ATP Tour level.

“It was awesome. It was a great experience,” Shepp said. 

“I’m blessed to have had that opportunity and thank you to everybody that hooked me up with that, it was really cool,” Shepp said. 

“He’s, obviously top 100 for a reason, but I like to think I’m not that far off. I think that showed that I’m right there at that level and if I can continue to get exposed to that, it’ll help me grow a lot as a tennis player.”

After being broken early in the match, Shepp responded well, breaking straight back and staying competitive through the opening set.

“Obviously, you never want to get broken in the first service game. But (breaking back) did give me a lot of confidence and allowed me to sink my teeth into that first set.”

Shepp arrived in Auckland off the back of an ITF tournament win in his home town of Hamilton and feels that title win and a competitive performance against Struff, shows he’s heading in the right direction.

“I’d like to think that this is the start of many opportunities like this,” he said. “You’ve got to take these opportunities and run with it. Obviously, I would have liked to have had a different result, but I’m proud of how I did out there.”

Becroft’s afternoon against Gaston posed a very different challenge, with the French left-hander offering little rhythm.

“A tough matchup. A lefty, plays really random, stands wide,” Becroft said. “He plays unrhythmic tennis and a tough matchup for me. But I’m obviously grateful for the experience.”

Despite the straight-sets loss, Becroft was encouraged by how competitive he was early, creating break-point chances in the opening games.

“Early on I had break points on three of his service games,” he said. “If you can get those, then the match can flip on its head completely. So I’m glad that at least I was in it at the start. 

“It can get away from you so quickly out there with these guys, they’re so good.”

With his university Masters degree now complete, Becroft said he is ready to commit fully to the tour.

“I’ll give it a good crack this year. Go all in and see what’s what. Go to Vietnam next week.”