By DAVE WORSLEY
Two of New Zealand's players for the future came up short, but in significantly different ways in their Auckland championship semifinals matches at Stanley St last night.
In the men's semifinals, the good-sized crowd could have been forgiven, as they watched G. D. Jones, for thinking they were seeing world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt.
With his cap on backward, bright tennis shirt and powerful hitting from all corners of the court, there were plenty of similarities.
But unlike his brilliant Australian counterpart, 15-year-old Jones could not quite finish off the match.
He served for the match against seventh seed Adam McNeil at 5-4 in the third set.
From then on McNeil could not put a foot wrong and hit winner after winner.
McNeil went on to clinch the win 7-6 2-6 7-5.
He will now face defending champion Alistair Hunt in today's final.
Hunt beat the fifth seed Andrew Turner with some top serving, 6-2 6-4. He peeled off an ace in each of his service games.
In contrast to Jones' bracing display, Diane Hollands, the 18-year-old junior champion from Otago, lost to top seed Ilke Gers in the women's draw, in a match which showed the vast difference between being ranked 386 in the world and about 100 in the world juniors.
Gers won 6-0 6-1 and now defends her title against fourth seed Rewa Hudson, who upset Tracey O'Connor in three sets, 3-6 6-4 6-4.
Hudson, who stopped playing professional tennis two years ago because she lacked motivation to continue, is now playing quality tennis with a smile on her face.
The 21-year-old has no thoughts of returning to the professional game, and is happy going on court to enjoy herself.
"I am really enjoying it and I don't have to perform at all or think about rankings, money or anything like that," Hudson said.
"I feel really motivated, even though against some of these players it feels like I am really old."
Light rain forced the semifinals indoors.
Players in three of the matches were warming up when the showers arrived.
Today's finals will start at 5pm at the ASB Tennis Centre.
Tennis: Jones shows classy touches in defeat
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