| QUALIFIER | One advancing to the next stage of a contest |
| STEPPINGSTONE | Means of progressing to the next stage of a process (8,5) |
| ENDGAME | Final stage of a contest on board (3,4) |
| CONNECTION | Did a couple have a small particle with them on the next stage of their journey? (10) |
| FINAL | Quarantine the flirt in ring, advancing to the knockout stage (4,3,7-5) |
| INTOTHEQUARTER | Quarantine the flirt in ring, advancing to the knockout stage (4,3,7-5) |
| APPROACH | ____ shot, stroke played by a tennis player when advancing to the net (8) |
| ROLLER | Long, heavy wave advancing to the shore (6) |
| THROUGH | As a result of, is on to the next stage (7) |
| GRADUATE | Move to the next stage (8) |
| SEED | Word for a grain, kernel, nut, pip, stone or other sown propagule or embryo of a plant, thus a beginning, origin of an idea or a source; or, one of a contest's top contenders, scattered throughout a t |
| SILK | Material to be taken by one advancing at the bar (4) |
| HEATH | Part of a contest next to hospital in uncultivated land (5) |
| TABULATOR | Keyboard device for advancing to a set position (9) |
| BYES | Situations in which players or teams win a round of a contest by virtue of having no opponent (4) |
| RIGS | Manipulates the outcome of a contest |
| CLOSERUN | (Of a contest) decided by a small margin (5-3) |
| SEMIFINALIST | One in last four of a contest |
| RIG | Fix, as the outcome of a contest |
| RUNAROUND | Organise a part of a contest's deception |
