Unorthodox player makes NZ champs semis

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Every event needs a character to play the part of either a villain or in this case the athlete who stirs up the unexpected. For the Pascoes NZ Tennis Champs, Zach Whaanga is that character and is the only unseeded player to make the mens singles semifinals.

Whaanga, 20 has now beaten Aucklands Daniel Brown, fifth seed Marcus Daniell and now national junior finalist Finn Reynolds, all in straight sets. Whaanga frustrated Reynolds with a mixture of slice and power in the 7-5 6-3 victory.

The fact that Whaanga from the Wellington region who is at the University of Columbus in Georgia, USA on a tennis scholarship and doesnt have proper tennis gear and doesnt always look the part or hit the part is creating a bit of interest and a lot of pain for opponents.

"Ill have to buy a proper tennis t-shirt to wear on TV for the semis. I havent really got anything," said Whaanga who has worn a Columbus University t-shirt inside out with tape over the branding. "I just entered the tournament to play some doubles really with Olly (Olly Sadler the singles third seed) and Ive kept going. There wasnt any expectations. Ive played Finn Tearney once a few years ago and he drilled me. Ill go for shots and no doubt Ill also produce a few weird shots as well. Ill give it a go."

Whaanga plays top seed Finn Tearney in the semifinals at the ASB Tennis Arena on Friday after Tearney was made to work in his win over eighth seed Riki McLachlan of Queenstown in his quarter-final.

The big incentive for Tearney and all players in the mens draw is the $7,000 prizemoney for winning the title and the wildcard into the ASB Classic main draw next month.

The other side of the mens draw saw Ben McLachlan the second seed work Wesley Whitehouse into mistakes to take the match 6-4 6-1. McLachlan will take on fourth seed Artem Sitak who is otherwise known for his doubles play where he is ranked 60 in the world.

Sitak overcame Mexican-born coach Victor Romero in three entertaining sets in his quarter-final.

In the womens draw top seed Erin Routliffe quietly moved into the semis with limited fuss as she dispatched leading junior Nina Parapovich from the Waikato. Routliffe who will be a key target to play as a Kiwi even though she lives in Canada, but was born in New Zealand will play third seed Jade Lewis in what could be a real test for both players.

The other semi has fourth seed Paige Hourigan who had to fight to overcome Leela Beattie facing second seed Jo Carswell.

Carswell was a straight set winner over 18s national champion Lauren Alter.

The winner of the womens singles draw receives a wildcard into the qualifying of the ASB Classic.

Having been played in blustery conditions at Albany Tennis Park for the first few rounds, the semifinals on Friday and finals on Saturday are now played at the ASB Tennis Arena in Auckland.

Results:

Womens singles quarter-finals: (1)Erin Routliffe (Auckland) bt (8)Nina Parapovich (Waikato) 6-0 6-3, (2) Jo Carswell (Auckland) bt (8)Lauren Alter (North Harbour) 6-2 7-5, (3)Jade Lewis (Auckland)bt (6)Claudia Williams (Auckland) 6-1 6-2, (4)Paige Hourigan (Whanganui) bt (5)Leela Beattie (Whanganui) 7-6(3) 6-4.

Mens singles (4) Artem Sitak (Auckland) bt Victor Romero (North Harbour) 5-7 64 6-1, (2) Ben McLachlan(Queenstown) bt (7)Wesley Whitehouse(North Harbour) 6-4 6-1, (1)Finn Tearney (Wellington) bt (8) Riki McLachlan (Queenstown) 6-2 6-4, Zach Whaanga bt Finn Reynolds (Hawkes Bay) 7-5 6-3

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