Stubbs gets chance to become master

A COACH will be up against his pupil tonight at the Boat Club when Alex Watt meets Aaron Stubbs in the semi-finals of the Keys Finance Ulster Championship.

Second seed Watt is the Donaghadee player's mentor and he is hoping that his inside knowledge will be a key factor when the pair meet head-on.

Last night, Hilden player Watt defeated Windsor's Matthew McClurg, the fifth seed, in two close sets, 7- 6 7-5, while Stubbs beat Danish veteran Hans Henrik Enoksen 6-1 6-4.

“I played Aaron at the Boat Club two years ago and managed to beat him but it was pretty close,” said Watt. “But he has improved since then so I expect it to be tough but I like to think I’ve got better as well.”

Watt lost to top seed Przemek Stec in the decider two years ago and the Polish-born Windsor player will face fourth seed Karl Donaldson as he bids to make it four men's singles triumphs in four attempts at the Boat Club.

Last night, Stec was given a tougher contest than expected by Donaghadee man Stephen McCausland as he booked his place in the last four with a 6-4 6-3 win.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it and he is the sort of player whose style makes for a good tennis match so I was happy with the way I played,” said McCausland.

Donaldson, meanwhile, knows he will have his work cut out to beat Stec in tonight's semi-final after defeating South African Tony Davison 6-4 7-5 in the quarters.

“I lost to Przemek a couple of years ago at the tournament but there will be no pressure on me when you look at the seeding,” he said.

The ladie’s singles semi-final line up was also determined last night as Lydia Kelly and Christine Duncan qualified to meet top seed and title holder Karola Bejenaru and second-ranked Lucy Octave respectively.

Sixteen-year-old Windsor player Kelly defeated Fiona Ludlow 64 6-1 while Duncan edged out Emma Dornan in three sets, 6-7 76 6-0.