SUPERKID Alex Bogdanovic has shocked the tennis world by storming through to today's final of the National Tennis Championships at the Bolton Arena.

And most surprised of all will be his coach - who assumed his protg would not get this far and booked a holiday!

But the 17-year-old has had an amazing week and yesterday reached the final by shocking Arvind Parmar - ranked 846 places above Bogdanovic - in straight sets.

Before the teenager arrived in Bolton no one had heard of him. Now everyone wants a piece. It is just a pity his coach has not been here to see it.

"He didn't think I'd do this well and has gone away on holiday," admitted Bogdanovic, who did not start playing tennis until moving to Britain from Belgrade at the age of eight.

"Jeremy Bates has taken over for the moment but I will have to play my best tennis ever if I'm going to win the final.

"I'll sleep fine though. I won't get nervous." Bogdanovic will play Lee Childs in the final, in a match scheduled to start at around 3pm at a packed Arena.

Childs, the defending champion, knocked out local lad Barry Cowan yesterday in straight sets.

Cowan told the BEN the reasons for his tame defeat. "I've been struggling physically for four weeks since I played in the Davis Cup in Ecuador. It's a virus I can't shake off," said the Ormskirk born player, who now lives in Manchester and is based at the Arena.

"I want to carry on playing the my body just isn't letting me do it. I don't want to take anything away from Lee though. He played really good tennis.

"Playing at Bolton was like playing at home. I enjoy it here and I wanted to win these National Championships."

In the ladies semi's, Hannah Collins - who became the youngest ever winner of the National Championships at aged 17 in 1999 - upset British number one Julie Pullin, winning 6-3 1-6 6-4.

She met Victoria Davies in the final after the Welsh player unexpectedly beat 18-year-old rising star Anna Keothavong 6-3 1-6 6-4.

qFor those who have missed out on the championships there is always next week. The Arena plays host to a £25,000 Challenger tournament (Monday to Sunday) which will feature players from around the world, including Brits like Cowan and Martin Lee. Best of all, admission is free. Details on 01204 846100.