Manly Seaside Men’s Final Recap

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Manly Seaside Men’s Final Recap

Blake Mott def. Andre Filep 6-4, 6-2

A Clash of Styles at Manly

Under perfect playing conditions—with a sizeable, engaged crowd and barely a breath of wind—two contrasting forces met on Court 1 for the Men’s Final of the Manly Seaside.

Andre, the hometown hero, brought his trademark firepower:  explosive serves, heavy groundstrokes, and a mindset built for domination.

Blake, the composed tactician and Andy Murray’s doppelganger, leaned on his all-court prowess, calmly redirecting pace and constructing points with surgical precision.

Having lost to Andre just weeks earlier at the North Shore Open, Blake came into this final well-prepared and laser-focused. Between changeovers, he flipped through a small notebook—his game plan, perhaps, or mental cues.

How the Match Unfolded

The first few games showcased Andre’s signature serve-plus-one strategy, applying immediate pressure with booming deliveries and forehand follow-ups. But as the match progressed and the balls wore:

  • Andre’s serve lost sting, and Blake’s return percentage climbed.

  • Rather than adjusting, Andre settled into longer baseline exchanges, effectively entering Blake’s wheelhouse—a counter-hitting rally game.

  • Blake, calm and calculating, absorbed and redirected Andre’s pace, drawing errors and seizing control.

One key moment came mid-second set, when Blake was overheard telling himself:  “Stay with him. He is swinging for the fences.”

It was a clear sign he understood the moment—and took full advantage of it.

What Could Have Been

Surprisingly, Andre rarely came forward, despite being one of the most dangerous players in the draw. The crowd saw too little of his intimidating presence at the net, and his attacking game never truly materialized beyond early flashes.

This allowed Blake to dictate tempo and force Andre into a reactive posture—something completely out of sync with Andre’s DNA as a first-strike player.

Wrap

In the end, the better strategist prevailed. Blake earned the title with a blend of tactical intelligence, mental composure, and physical consistency.

Andre thrilled the home fans with his power and presence, but in this final, it was Blake who wrote the story that mattered.

Perfect day. Great crowd. Beautiful tennis.

Blake Mott