Simpson through to European U-19s final

CHRIS SIMPSON has the chance to become European junior champion this afternoon. The Guernsey star, who is seeded number one, has stormed through to the final of the European Under-19 championships being held in Malmo, Sweden.

There he will face the German Simon Rosner.

Simpson progressed through his first three matches over the weekend without dropping a game.

After receiving a bye in the first round, he dispatched Rory Byrne of Ireland 9-4, 9-0, 9-1 in the second round before overcoming Denmark's Kristian Gross-Jeppese comfortably 9-2, 9-0, 9-3.

Belgium's Rik Smet was his quarter-final opponent and he pushed Simpson hard in the first game, which finished 10-8. But the Sarnian then took control, winning the next two 9-2, 9-5.

His semi-final was a re-match of the British Under-19 final with Leicestershire's James Wright as the competition went as per the seedings.

The Brighton-based Guernsey youth again won in straight games, this time 9-6, 9-1, 9-3.

Rosner had it a little tougher in his semi, dropping the opening set to English lad Shaun Le Roux.

The final is at 4pm.