TOP seeded New Zealander Alistair Hunt celebrated a belated main draw acceptance into the Czech Republic Challenger circuit by winning a thumping shoot out of heavy servers over Britain's Tom Spinks, the number three seed, in the Leinster Senior Open at Templeogue last evening.
Hunt encountered far more trouble arranging flights and securing a visa after his match than he did in winning it with his in groove, serve volley game earning an impressive 7-6, 7-5 win.
Spinks, who lost his chance of creating an upset by losing a first set tie break (9-7) despite having two set points at 6-4, conceded: "his service game hurt me most or to be more precise his volleys did."
The 90 minute match was eminently watchable especially for the quality of passes, drive volleys, dinks, service power and placement and one special drive winner on the half volley by Spinks.
Hunt unleashed two of the best passes of the match to stay in the first set. He broke Spinks's thunderbolt serve in the 11th game of the second set and served out comfortably for the match.
Top women's seed Samantha Smith of Britain saved three first set points to force a tie break against a tenacious opponent in Lorna Woodroffe who had made a remarkable recovery from 1-5. The second set was pocketed 6-1 with ease by Smith who tends to lapse in concentration.
Smith now takes on compatriot Lucie Ahl in today's final. Ahl had a surprise win over Claire Taylor (Britain)
