Alistair Hunt moved another step closer to his second big domestic tennis title within a week on quarter-finals day at the New Zealand Residential championships at North Harbour yesterday.
Cantabrian Hunt, the sixth seed, overpowered third seed Robert Cheyne of Wellington 6-4 6-2 to set up a semifinal against second-seeded Aucklander
Lee Radovanovich today.
"It wasn't a really pretty match. I don't think either of us played well,
but it's still good to win when you're not playing at your best," said Hunt, who won the Auckland title this week.
He appeared to struggle on the newly resurfaced courts at North Harbour but is probably the favourite for the title if he can keep serving well, even while feeling the effects of a lingering cold.
Radovanovich, who recently made the doubles final of two $US15,000 events in Asia, beat unseeded Adam Thompson in straight sets.
James Greenhalgh beat his former doubles partner Steven Downs 6-4 6-7 (9-7) 6-1. Downs was off the pace in the third set, but Greenhalgh will have to pull out all stops to make the final.
Greenhalgh plays fourth seed Danny Willman today, after Willman beat fifth seed Mark Thompson of Auckland 7-5 6-4. Willman will be a real threat to Greenhalgh in the semifinals.
Leanne Baker continued her comeback trail with an expected win over Rachel Dive to make the women's semifinals for the loss of only three games. Baker will face a firm test against fifth seed Tracey O'Connor, who beat national 14s champ Julia Erakovic in straight sets.
"I was very rusty in the second round, but today I felt better," said Baker.
"Things are coming together, but there's still a long way to go."
The other semifinal will see Ilke Gers against Canterbury's Niki Tippins. Gers beat Angela Strachan 6-1 6-2 while Tippins put paid to the hard-hitting Tanja Markovic from North Harbour 6-2 6-1.
