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Ewan Halliday edges Shahid Sayed in men鈥檚 semifinal; will face Matthias Hoenisch after win over Kieran Halliday

A composed Matthias Hoenisch stayed in control to win his Yukon Championships men鈥檚 singles semifinal match.

Hoenisch beat Kieran Halliday 6-2, 6-1 at the Mount McIntyre tennis courts Thursday night to book himself a spot in tonight鈥檚 final.

鈥淚 kind of went into the match hoping to just stay composed and just keep on playing every point by itself,鈥� said Hoenisch following his win.

Halliday and Hoenisch started tight, but Hoensich was able to break him early in the first set.

鈥淚 was in a couple tough moments but I think I got a few good first serves and that kind of pulled me through those points,鈥� he said.

Since he started attending St. Michaels University School in鈥圴ictoria last fall, Hoenisch has been working on his mental strength during tennis matches.

鈥淚 used to have a lot of problems getting pretty angry about points,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o every time I made an error I was really not happy with [or] I made a bad choice or missed an easy shot, I鈥檇 just think to myself, It鈥檚 not that important. It鈥檚 just one point. Focus up. Focus up.鈥�

He鈥檇 take a few phantom swings and empty his mind of the point that had passed.

He remained in control as an emotional Halliday occasionally threw his racket in between points.

It鈥檚 a strategy that should serve him well tonight when he takes on Ewan Halliday, who won the other men鈥檚 semifinal against Shahid Sayed 6-0, 6-3.

鈥淚 actually really enjoy playing him. I think it鈥檚 pretty evenly matched,鈥� said Halliday of playing Sayed. 鈥淗e鈥檚 so good at moving the ball that you have to be prepared to run.鈥�

Ewan Halliday describes himself as a baseliner.

鈥淚 like to think of myself as someone who waits and is patient until I get a good opportunity,鈥� he said.

Ewan Halliday also attends St. Michaels University School, where both he and Hoenisch are members of the tennis team.

He said he has no idea what to expect in tonight鈥檚 game.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always a surprise when I play Matthias,鈥� he said.

Hoenisch believes the title may go to whoever can pull off something unexpected.

鈥淲e know each other鈥檚 style a lot, which means I think it鈥檚 really going to come down to who can be the most consistent and can kind of change things up to make a difference,鈥� he said.

The men鈥檚 finals start at 6 p.m. tonight at the Mount McIntyre tennis courts.