Epic battle leads Tamai to championship final

FINAL: Rotorua-Lynmore No 1 seed and captain Shaun Tamai is feeling confident going into today's Open Men's Division final at the 2016 Aotearoa Maori Tennis Championships in Hamilton. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Shaun Tamai​ is feeling confident he can take home the open men's singles title at the 2016 Aotearoa Maori Tennis Championships today. The Rotorua and Te Arawa representative beat last year's open men's singles winner Te Kani Williams in an "epic battle" of 7-5, 7-5 in his semifinal played yesterday morning at the Waikato Tennis Centre in Hamilton.

"It was pretty close ... I was definitely confident and much more relaxed than I usually am. I'm very stoked."

He said he planned to stay focused and positive leading up to the final, and to make sure he kept up his salts and magnesium so he didn't suffer cramp.

"There's been awesome support from the Rotorua whanau ... it's pretty much like a marae with everyone supporting everyone."

Tamai's not the only family member with a chance for glory with his 10-year-old daughter Zeeah-Rona Waerea-Tamai having also made her final for the under-10 divison.

He said it was the first time she had entered the competition.

"It's pretty awesome. I hope she plays first so I can watch and then proceed with my game."

In the final Tamai will face Whanganui's former triple champion, Kyle Butters, who was awarded tennis freshman of the year at Boise State University, USA.

"I'm really looking forward to it and am feeling very confident. Anything can happen on the day, I've got nothing to lose."

Tamai was also playing in the doubles semifinal with local Jesse Galvin-Dawson yesterday afternoon.

He praised the championships, hosted by the Aotearoa Maori Tennis Association, and said the organisers had done a fantastic job.

"Everyone has a smile on their faces, including whanau, friends and supporters."

John Paul College student Logan Nathan, 14, made it to the quarter-finals at his first time in the open men's singles division.

He played Kyle Butters and said it went surprisingly well despite the final score of 6-1, 6-1.

"It was really cool to be against him ... the final between Shaun and Kyle will be an awesome match no doubt."

When asked by the Rotorua Daily Post if he would be entering the championships again next year, he said he would definitely be back.

The Aotearoa Maori Tennis Championships feature the country's top Maori players in singles and doubles.

A total of 175 players competed across multiple grades ranging from under-10 to over-76 - with 22 entries from Te Arawa over the three days.

2016 Aotearoa Maori Tennis Championships:

Where: Waikato Tennis Centre courts, Hamilton

Thursday, December 29:
- 8.30am - Singles finals
- 11am - All mixed doubles events