Pannu last Kiwi standing in singles in Papamoa

Kiranpal Pannu will fly the flag for New Zealand in singles semi final action at the ITM World Tour event in Tauranga. The 6^th seed is the only Kiwi to reach the semi finals in the men’s US $15,000 tournament. There will be no New Zealanders in the semi finals of the women’s US $25,000 tournament

Pannu battled past Kiwi qualifier Rob Reynolds 6-2,1-6 6-2 in two hours and 6 minutes and will face Aussie Jeremy Beale for a place in the final. Beale defeated compatriot Calum Puttergill 2-6 6-0 6-2.

Aussie qualifier Derek Pham caused a major upset beating second seeded Kiwi Rubin Statham 4-6 6-2 7-5. Pham will play 8^th seeded Aussie Blake Ellis.

There are three Kiwis in the men’s doubles finals. Jack Loutit and his Japanese partner Daisuke Sumizawa will face George Stoupe and Reece Falck for the title.

Erin Routliffe meanwhile has bowed out in the women’s quarter finals, well beaten 6-1 6-2 by top seeded Canadian Katherine Sebov who will meet 4^th seeded Slovakian Zuzana Zlochova for a place in the final. The other semi-final pits second seeded Czech Michaela Bayerlova against Aussie 8^th seed Catherine Aulia.