Dubai: Title contenders United Kingdom and India set themselves up for a meeting in the final with emphatic wins in the women's competition at the 17th Nations Cup tennis tournament.

With players like Jennifer Smith, skipper Olivia Nichols, Sarah Goodman, Sally Gee and Vanessa North, the UK powered for a semifinal showdown against debutants, the UAE.

The UK has been the most impressive team so far, winning 2-0 against both Poland and former champions, the Philippines in Group A.

The Philippines, with Myra de la Cruz, Susan Galeon, Judith Camero and Cheryl Cajandan, will be the second team to qualify from Group A following their 2-1 victory against Poland.

Meanwhile in Group B, India used the experience of players like Vidya Maghnani, Crystal Pereira, Shobha Mendonca and the youth of Mekhala Benny to also ease their way into the last four after topping Group B. Also progressing from Group B were new entrants the UAE following their 2-1 win against Syria.

Winning start

The young UAE team, consisting of sisters Amira and Amnah Kambhar along with Fatma Abbas and Mariam Behroozian, toppled Syria 2-1 of the opening day of the competition last week.

In the men's competition, UAE 'B' stunned Tunisia 2-1, while the UAE seniors and last year's runners-up France eased their way to wins against South Africa and Norway respectively.

There are 12 teams participating in the men's competition with Kuwait and Bahrain ranked highly as both have travelled here with their national squads.

First-time entrant Iran too seem to have a fair chance of an upset considering that they have a top junior in their ranks.

The women now takes a break till the semifinals where the UK face the UAE and India play the Philippines on February 2.

Results

Results so far at the 17th Nations Cup tennis competition being played at the Al Nasr Leisureland tennis courts. The finals in both categories are scheduled for February 3.

(Men's competition) UAE 'B' bt Tunisia 2-1; UAE 'A' bt South Africa 3-0; France bt Norway 3-0. (Women's competition) United Kingdom bt Poland 2-0; UAE bt Syria 2-1; Philippines bt Poland 2-1; India bt Syria 2-1; UK bt Philippines 2-0; India bt UAE 2-0.