Di Ekers won a tight three-set semi-final to set up the first all-Fulford ladies singles final in the City of York Tennis Championships.

Ekers overcame Caroline Lowe 6-4 2-6 6-4 for a historic meeting with Jill Rounce in Saturday's final.

In the mixed doubles, Andrew Cooke and Margaret Whitehead asserted their challenge for a third successive win after beating Haw and Rounce in last night's semi-final at St Peter's School. They will face Steve Smith and Wendy Stirke in the final.

The men's over 45s doubles semi-final emphasised a night of good tennis, with Pete Sutherland and Peter Witherwick narrowly losing to newcomers Andrews and Burton in the third set, 2-6 6-3 7-6.

In the open age men's doubles, Birch and Stephenson booked a place in the final after beating Skelton and Haw 6-4 6-2. They will face the winners of tonight's second semi-final between Smith and Cook and Langley and Langley.

Last night's results

Ladies doubles: Lister and Stirke bt Retief and Place 6-1 6-2, Barker and Whitehead bt Hornby and Swallow 6-2 6-4.

Over 40s ladies doubles: Cantrell and Spencer bt Pauw and Davison 7-6 7-6.

Men's doubles: Birch and Stephenson bt Skelton and Haw 6-4 6-2.

Ladies singles semi-final: D Ekers bt C Lowe 6-4 2-6 6-4.

Mixed doubles: Smith and Stirke bt Langley and Baker 6-3 6-4, Smith and Stirke bt Linfoot and Place 6-2 6-5, Cooke and Whitehead bt Haw and Rounce 6-1 6-0.

Over 45s men's doubles: Andrews and Burton bt Sutherland and Witherwick 2-6 6-3 7-6.

Tonight's order of play

(at St Peter's School)

6.30pm -- Over 45s men's singles, semi-final: Sutherland v Savage, Burton v Watson. Ladies doubles, semi-final: MacReady and Rounce v Baker and Whitehead.

7pm - Men's doubles semi-final: Smith and Cooke v Langley and Langley.

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, July 14, 2004