Teenager Craig Bean denied veteran Wilf Gonzalves an unprecedented semi-final triple at the Heineken Open yesterday.

Gonzalves, 45, had already booked his place in the semi-finals of both the men's A and senior competitions before losing in straight sets to Bean in the men's B quarter-finals at the Tennis Stadium.

The 16-year-old Bean won the first set 7-5 and seemed to be coasting to victory as he served for the match at 5-2 in the second.

But Gonzalves made a mockery of the three-decade age gap between the players and produced an astonishing comeback to lead 6-5, saving four match points on the way.

Bean held his serve to tie the set at 6-6 and then held his nerve to win a tiebreaker of excellent rallies 7-5 to seal his place in the last four.

It was a great day for the youngsters, with 14-year-old Jevon Whitter also making it through to the men's B semi-finals, with a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Dave Geraghty.

Gonzalves, who meets Bermuda Davis Cup player Ricky Mallory in the men's A semis this afternoon, was full of praise for Bean.

"I just go out there and try to enjoy it and today I lost to the better player,'' he said.

"I'd like to see more players like him out here, but when they get to 15 and 16 there are so many distractions.

"I should not be able to get in the semi-finals of the men's A tournament at the age of 45, but there just aren't enough young players coming through to challenge.'' Gonzalves suffered a terrible injury while playing soccer for Southampton Rangers at the age of 19. The ligaments of his left knee were badly torn and he needed extensive surgery and two years of rehabilitation and now plays tennis with a knee support.

The experience helped to shape the Sun Life underwriter's sporting philosophy: "You have to go out there with the right mental approach and whatever, always have fun.'' Gonzalves knocked out number four seed Eldon Daniels en route to the men's A last four and eliminated number one seed Vernal Davis in a gruelling three-setter in the second round of the seniors.

He played down his chances of springing a surprise against number one seed Mallory today.

"Realistically my chances are not good. He should beat me very easily. But I never go out on court without believing I could win and I'll just do my best,'' added Gonzalves.

True grit: Wilf Gonzalves powers a forehand during his 7-5, 7-6 loss to teenager Craig Bean, an opponent nearly 30 years his junior, in the men's B quarter-finals of the Heineken Open at the Tennis Stadium yesterday.