Tennis : WELLINGTON OPEN NZMT 5 KICKS OFF TODAY

10.1.01

An early start was well justified as the rain interrupted play after the completion of the first round this morning. Play moved indoors briefly for the men’s Quarter Finals, but all other matches were able to be completed outdoors.

In the Round of 16, Warwick Foy (Wgtn), was able to rally after dropping the opening set to eighth seeded Gavin Chester (NH), and caused the only upset in that round. The Men’s Quarter finals saw Men’s top seed, Victor Romero (Mex), improve after a slow start and hold off a spirited fight from fifth seed Michael Pigou (LH). Mark Nielsen (NH) and Steven Downs (NH), ex NZ Davis Cup Team mates, will renew their rivalry in tomorrows Semi Final after they eased past their opponents, Hayden Joblin (Wgtn) and Warwick Foy (Wgtn) respectively.

In the Women’s matches, Brittany Teei (Auck) and Diane Hollands (Auck) recorded straight forward wins in their Quarter finals, but their Semi Finals were anything but straight forward. Brittany Teei (Auck) played Kairangi Vano (Auck) and was unable to topple the tournament top seed, losing in two tight sets. Diane Hollands (Auck) was able to continue her fantastic summer form by beating the second seeded Shona Lee (Auck) clinching the match in a tight second set tie-break 8-6.

Play on Finals Day will start at 9.00am. Semi Finals of the Men’s Singles will be at 10.00am, with the Women’s Final Scheduled for 12.00pm and the Men’s Final for 2.00pm. Entry is free for the public and the Café will be open for food and drinks.

Results

Men's Open Singles -- Round of 16
Michael Pigou[5], Lower Hutt, WE d. Simon Brown, WN 5-0 Ret (inj)
Nick White[6], WN d. Alexander Macdonald, Lower Hutt, WE 6-1;6-0
Warwick Foy, Wellington, WE d. Gavin Chester[8], NH 4-6;6-1;6-1
Hayden Joblin[7], Wellington, CB d. Seungwon Seo, Auckland, AU 6-1;6-0

Men's Open Singles -- Quarterfinals
Victor Romero[1], Mexico d. Michael Pigou[5], Lower Hutt, WE 4-6;6-1;6-4
Steven Downs[4], NH d. Warwick Foy, Wellington, WE 6-0;6-2
Mark Nielsen[2], NH d. Hayden Joblin[7], Wellington, CB 6-3;6-4

Women's Open Singles -- Quarterfinals
Brittany Teei[4], AK d. Rosie Bird, Hamilton, WAK 6-4;2-6;6-2
Dianne Hollands[3], Auckland, AU d. Tiffany Wheelock, Auckland, AU 6-2;6-0

Women's Open Singles -- Semi-finals
Kairangi Vano[1], AK d. Brittany Teei[4], AK 7-6(5);7-5
Dianne Hollands[3], Auckland, AU d. Shona Lee[2], Papakura, AU 6-2;7-6(8)