Tearney has opportunity in men's NZ Tennis Champs final

Artem Sitak during 2016 ATP Chengdu Open. Photo / Getty Images

The opportunities are big for the Finn Tearney as he has played himself into the final of the Pascoes NZ Tennis Champs.

The 26-year-old from Wellington with a current ATP ranking of 482 had to overcome the challenge of the flamboyant Zach Whaanga from the Kapiti Coast who appears to have played the tournament with reckless abandonment and fun not often seen on centrecourt at the ASB Tennis Arena.

On paper Tearney who has beaten players in the top 150 in the world should have walked away with an easy, however in the swirling wind and against an opponent who had nothing to lose Tearney was pushed in the first set. In fact Whaanga served for the set at 5-4.

It was in the end at 7-5 6-1 victory to Tearney and now the first time in the final.

"He was tough to beat with his variety of shots. Im happy to be in the final. It was tough wind out there, but in many ways that makes me have to be strong mentally. It will be a good final and its a great opportunity for me," said Tearney.

The singles winners of the tournament receive $7,000 each and then for the mens winners theres the prizemoney at the ASB Classic which can help set a player up for a month or so.

Tearney will face Artem Sitak who was a finalist last year. Sitak easily put away Ben Mclachlan 6-2 6-1 in his semifinal with efficiency in all areas of the game.

The womens singles final features third seed Jade Lewis against fourth seed Paige Hourigan. Lewis, 18 comes from arguably the most well-known tennis family in New Zealand and was too strong for top seed Erin Routliffe who mishit and shanked a large number of shots and struggled with the swirling wind.

It is the first time in the tournament for Lewis who admitted it was a struggle at first in the 6-3 6-3 win.

"I was a little nervous at first, but then she made a lot of mistakes. Its great to be in the final and to get the matches under my belt."

Lewis will play Paige Hourigan who had a tough match to defeated second seed Jo Carswell 7-5 7-6(1) in the other semifinal.

Hourigan from Whanganui, but on a scholarship in the United States was a finalist in the NZ Champs in 2012.

The womens doubles final was won by top seeds Routliffe and Hourigan over second seeds Leela Beattie and Rosie Cheng 6-3 6-2

Saturday will see the mens doubles final which features world No.50 Marcus Daniell and No.62 Sitak against Ben Mclachlan ranked 193 and Tearney 638. On offer is prizemoney and a wildcard to the ASB Classic mens doubles draw.

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