Tennis: Amateur shows up the professionals

It's no surprise that New Zealand's Marina Erakovic has advanced to the women's final. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Top drawcard Marina Erakovic advanced in an untroubled fashion as expected to tonight's New Zealand Residential Championships final but there is a hint of a boilover developing in the men's event, with US-based college player Austen Childs winning through to face Marcus Daniel.

Childs followed-up Saturday's straight sets win over New Zealand No 1, Dan King-Turner, with a 6-0, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Adam Thompson to book his place in the final, to be played indoors at the North Harbour Tennis Centre.

The 20-year-old is ranked 12th on the US college circuit, where he is in the third year of a four-year scholarship at University of Louisville.

But as an amateur he has no professional ranking, making his victory over pro King-Turner - who has a world ranking of 257 - a bit of an eyebrow raiser.

It wouldn't be a great look for New Zealand's professionals if an amateur player takes out the event.

However, Childs was rated as one of this country's best prospects before heading to the US and regular high-level play has sharpened his game.

"I played a lot of tough matches over there and it is the same level as [this event]," he said.

"I knew I had to play my best and good things would happen."

Saturday's 6-2, 6-3 victory over King-Turner was the first time Childs had beaten the Kiwi No 1, but he was confident he would overcome Thompson, a player he had beaten before. "I had a great start again and the first set went pretty quickly," he said.

"He made a lot of errors and I didn't really do much. In the second set I got a bit too passive, hitting it short and he got back into the match.

"In the third set I knew I had to make more first serves and hit deeper."

Childs now faces Daniel, who booked his place in the final with a battling three-set victory over the higher-ranked Statham.

Daniel, though, will be the only player walking away with a cheque as Childs' amateur status prevents him from accepting prizemoney.

"I have to decline any money or they can take my scholarship away."

He plans to turn professional, but not before he has finished his exercise science degree.

"I'd like to give it a shot after I've finished my four years [studying]. I'll playing a few futures and see how it goes."

Childs won't contest Heineken Open qualifying as he returns to the US on January 4.

In the women's event, Erakovic dispatched Abbey Guthrie 6-0 6-0.

The dethroned New Zealand No 1 has been more accustomed to gracing the world's premier tournaments in recent times but she is keen to gain match play ahead of the ASB Classic after an injury-wrecked season saw her world ranking tumble from 49 to 228.

She will face Ellen Barry in tonight's final after Barry saw off Kairangi Vano 7-5 7-5.