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Cleveland Classic 2015
29 Jan - 03 Feb, Usa, $50k |
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03-Feb, Final:
David
defends title in Ohio
In a matchup between the world's top two ranked players, it was
Nicol David who prevailed, the Malaysian world #1 beating Egypt's
Raneem El Welily 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 to retain her Cleveland Classic
title.
Match report by Bob Botti:
Game 1. Surprised Welily was not forcing the pace. Amazing movement
by both players. Welily may be the only player on the tour who can
match David’s movement. But not tight enough and drops not in the
groove for Welily. Welily’s shots either hit the tin or pop out to
the mid court. David is reading the game well, anticipating Welily’s
shots. Nothing but class from David. David comfortably takes game
11-5.
Game 2. Welily has to find a way to successfully attack David.
Welily taking the ball early, cutting it off. Length is better and
the Egyptian is very well balanced and dictating the pace in the
middle of the court. Showing great patience, working for a better
opening. Drops tighter. 5-2 Welily. David no longer having her own
way. Great points as David claws back from 4-8 to 7-8. Never seen
David so aggressive with an opening. Few errors despite being so far
behind. 9-9, 11-9 David.
 Game
3. 2-2, 3-3 but Welily can’t stay with David. 6-3, 7-3, 8-3. Welily
has no answer and she tried everything. In the next point no matter
what she does David stays in it and wins it 9-3. David lethal and
disgustingly surgical! 11-4 game and match, David. 3-0.
David: “She had a big long tourney win at the T.O.C. then
a tough five setter yesterday. Hoped maybe to get the lead and take
it to the end."
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Photos by Mike Weil
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  Cleveland
Classic 2015
29 Jan - 03 Feb, Usa, $50k |
Round One
31 Jan |
Quarters
01 Feb |
Semis
02 Feb |
Final
03 Feb |
[1] Nicol David
(Mas)
11-2, 11-5, 11-7
[Q] Emily Whitlock (Eng) |
[1] Nicol David
11-3, 11-6, 11-8
[8] Nour El Tayeb |
[1] Nicol David
11-8, 11-2, 11-7
Omneya Abdel Kawy |
[1] Nicol David
11-5, 11-9, 11-4
[3] Raneem El Welily |
[8] Nour El Tayeb (Egy)
11-9, 11-6, 11-7
[Q] Vicky Lust (Eng) |
[5] Alison Waters (Eng)
11-9, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9
Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) |
Omneya Abdel Kawy
11-8, 11-8, 11-5
Annie Au |
[4] Nour El Sherbini (Egy)
11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6
Annie Au (Hkg) |
Madeline Perry (Irl)
11-3, 11-4, 5-11, 11-4
[3] Raneem El Welily (Egy) |
[3] Raneem El Welily
6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6
[6] Camille Serme |
[3] Raneem El Welily
11-13, 11-7, 13-15, 11-9, 12-10
[2] Laura Massaro |
Jenny Duncalf (Eng)
11-6, 11-6, 11-5
[6] Camille Serme (Fra) |
[Q] Yathreb Adel (Egy)
11-8, 11-6, 11-6
[7] Low Wee Wern (Mas) |
[7] Low Wee Wern
7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 13-11
[2] Laura Massaro |
[Q] Sarah Kippax (Eng)
11-3, 11-8, 11-3
[2] Laura Massaro (Eng) |
30-Jan,
Qualifying Finals
Victoria Lust (Eng) 3-1
Emma Beddoes (Eng)
12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 10-6 (retired)
Emily Whitlock (Eng) 3-1
Nicolette Fernandes (Guy)
11-5, 7-11, 12-10, 11-2
Yathreb Adel (Egy) v Salma Hany Ibrahim (Egy)
7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 3-1 (retired)
Sarah Kippax (Eng) 3-2
Line Hansen (Den)
11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 4-11, 14-12
29-Jan, Qualifying Round One
Emma Beddoes (Eng) 3-0 Lauren Leizman (Usa)
11-1; 11-2; 11-0
Victoria Lust (Eng) 3-0 Menna Nasser (Egy)
11-3; 11-3; 11-4
Nicolette Fernandes (Guy) 3-2 Latasha Khan (Usa)
10-12; 11-5; 11-4; 2-11
Emily Whitlock (Eng) 3-0 Colette Sultana (Mlt)
11-0; 11-3; 11-3
Yathreb Adel (Egy) 3-2
Coline Aumard (Fra)
6-11; 11-8; 10-12; 11-8; 11-6
Salma Hany Ibrahim (Egy) 3-0 Sabrina Sobhy (Usa)
11-7; 11-9; 11-6
Line Hansen (Den) 3-0 Belen Etchechoury (Arg)
11-6; 11-4; 11-0 (17m)
Sarah Kippax (Eng) 3-1 Anna Kimberley (Eng)
11-7; 11-6; 6-11; 11-6 (40m)
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02-Feb,
Semi-Finals:
David & Welily through to Ohio final in Cleveland
The final of the Cleveland Classic will be contested by the current
world #1 and #2 after contrasting semi-final wins for Nicol David
and Raneem El Welily.
Nicol David 3-0 Omneya
Abdel Kawy
 Game
1. Both players right into it from the start, David just a little
bit better.... on every point. 5-0. Kawy relying more on power, no
real identifiable game plan in response to David’s game. David not
giving her any openings. Playing very deep and tight. First game
went quick Kawy making errors. 9-4. Late flurry from Kawy, but David
in control 11-8.
Game 2. Kawy determined but David not swayed from her game plan.7-2.
Kawy frustrated. Game to David 11-2.
Game 3. Does Kawy have any answers? David still with total focus.
Everything executed with ruthless efficiency. Everything is tight
and deep, moving Kawy all over the court, covering everything 6-2.
Kawy has to hit 3 or 4 great drops to win one point. David dominates
11-7. David takes it. 3-0. 27mins
David: “Have to trust it will come together if you stick to
it. These guys are so tough. They’re always out to get you!”
Raneem El Welily 3-2 Laura Massaro
 Game
1. Battle from the first point. Massaro attacking 5-0. 7-3. Front to
back stuff from both players. Welily switches gears hitting hard and
low pressing shots 7-7. Massaro starting to force it, making errors
– Welily is getting everything back 10-7. Massaro using more
deception, 2 length winners then a Welily tin 10-10!. Tin vs Tin
11-11. Again length winner for Massaro then length leading to a
Welily tin. Game to Massarro 13-11.
Game 2. Welily showing Massaro how big the court is, with tight
shots up front and very deep in both back corners, Welily cruises to
4-1 lead. Massaro came back with good short drops catching Welily
off guard. 5-5. Two quick knicks steady the ship for Welily and she
sails to a comfortable 11-7 win.
Game 3. Both players fighting hard for every point. The game is
evenly poised but Massaro keeps feeding the beast in the mid court
area where Welily absolutely eats her up. Great deception by Welily,
with simple length 5-5. Then 3 drop winners give Welily a 8-5 lead.
But Welily not without fault forcing drops from the back and hitting
the tin, suddenly 8-8. 13-13. Massaro takes the game 15-13.
Punishing squash!
Game 4. Welily knows she needs both games to stay in the tournament.
Violent points early. Dropping master class from the Egyptian,
Welily races to 7-3 lead. Welily length is impeccable. 10-7 and
despite late comeback by Massaro. Game to Welily 11-9.
Game 5. Gladiators on the court. Arguably one of the most punishing
matches of the tournament. Outrageous rallies keep the game score
close at 6-7 to Massaro. Massaro has good reach and power in her
arsenal. Taking the ball early and cutting down Welily’s reaction
time. It works, Massaro takes a 10-7 lead to 3 match balls. Welily
steps up to the challenge. Doesn’t shy away from her natural game.
Two quick backhand drops with match points against her! 9-10. Sheer
confidence and brutish mental strenth from Welily allowed her to
dominant the final stages of the game leading to 12-10 well deserved
victory. 3-2 match to Welily.
Welily: “I don’t feel confident hitting the ball early, but I
had to do that today! Kawy told me I had to...”
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Streaming
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01-Feb-15,
Quarter-Finals:
Semi-finals settled in Cleveland
The Cleveland Classic reached
the quarter-final stage in Ohio today as the world's top three
players booked their places in the semis of the WSA $50k event.
Nicol David celebrated her new record as the longest-ever
world #1 with a straight games win over Nour El Tayeb, and she'll
mett another Egypotian in the last four after Omneya Abdel Kawy
beat Annie Au, also in straight games.
In the bottom half of the draw Laura Massaro and Raneem El
Welily had tougher tasks, Massaro beating Low Wee Wern in four
games while Welily needed all five to get past Camille Serme.
Match reports by Bob Botti
Kawy bt Au 11-8, 11-8, 11-5
Game 1. 2 attacking players and get in each others way. Au good
movement and moving Kawy around the court and not allowing her to
find her rhythm. High deep shots to the back, followed up with short
sharp cut offs to the front court gave Au early edge.
Quick to go short. 2-2. 6-6. Kawy absorbs the pressure some what
well, using power and Egyptian wizardry to find the knick, Kawy
takes the game. 11-8. 10 minutes.
Game 2. Au has it working early, great length and drops forcing Kawy
errors 5-1. Kawy reading Au’s deep game better. Back to 5-5, varying
pace and width 8-5. Au adapted too late, got back to 8-9, but Kawy
buried it. Takes the game 11-8. 9 minutes including the argument.
Game 3. Kawy stays focused and sticks to the game plan 4-1. Pace and
deception too much for Au to shoot off of. Even a bloody nose
couldn’t stop Kawy, Kawy takes the game 11-5. 9 minutes 3-0 to Kawy.
Kawy: “Her lob and drop is amazing. Last time I played her she
smashed me. When I play with Annie I have a plan but didn’t do it.
This time I did it.”
David bt Tayeb 11-3, 11-6, 11-8
Game 1. First game is just a squash master class. David cruises to a
7-0 lead. Nothing fancy just deep and tight gave her opponent
nothing to attack. No mistakes 11-3.
Game 2. David still on her game. Tayeb challenges David on length,
but her balls fall into midcourt too often allowing David to force
penetrating length that drags Tayeb deep and finishing her short
11-6.
Game 3. Monster first point Tayeb needs to win, she buries David’s
serve into the nick. More disciplined performance by Tayeb. David is
again masterful. Sticking to same game plan, David is able to
neutralize Tayeb’s game by playing straight and deep. Impeccable
attacking down the left wall. Great effort by Tayeb to claw back –
too little too late from Tayeb. David is never really threatened and
takes the game comfortably. 11-8.
Tayeb is definitely one watch out for in the future. Lots of
character drive and lovely to watch. 3-0 to David.
David: “Having different game plans for different player is key.
Basically, a set base game plan and adapting it accordingly for
different players.”
Massaro bt Low 7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 13-11
Game 1. Massaro subdued 1-5. Wern retrieving everything and
frustrating Massaro. Too many errors and poor choices by Massaro.
11-7 to Wern.
Game 2. Wern sits too deep and beaten with shots to the front.
Massaro has woken up giving nothing loose up front. Using her great
reach to control the T. Aggressive on her drops now almost error
free. 11-5 to her Game 3. Massaro, great focus takes a 5-0 lead.
Wern grinds back, frustrating Massaro once again. Massaro making
errors 5-6. Massaro gets back to her game and grinds it out, with
some very solid ground strokes in to the back, 11-5 to Masssaro.
Game 4. Wern is determined, playing deep backhand attacking squash
and fierce attacking boast to get to 4-1. Massaro doesn’t want to go
to 5, she responds very well with deeper rallies showing great
patience and waiting for the right moment to go short.
Massaro reels Wern back in to 3-4, then finally 6-7, 7-7, 8-8, and
9-9. Not pretty squash. Great drop by Massaro takes her to match
ball but Wern comes through, taking the score to 11-11. Massaro wins
the next point then a stroke to Massaro as she takes match 13-11.
Massaro: “It always feels like a tactical game when playing her.
A lot of long rallies and with Wern you can’t afford to open up the
court too early because she will pounce on it and punish you.”
Welily bt Serme 7-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6
Game 1. Long rallies, each player feeling their way into the match.
Nothing fancy. Backcourt game until a nice roll winner by Serme and
increase in pace takes her to an 8-4 lead.Welily then found the
knick a few times as most Egyptians tend to. Put Serme off her
rythym. Claws back to 7-8. Serme keeps her composure. Regained her
length. Finishes it 11-7.
Game 2. Serme volleys well, rushing Welily. Floating ball deep to
drop in the back corners. Welily hitting too many cross courts early
on and not finding enough depth 5-5. Serme tried to force the game
short and left too many balls in the open court and you not do that
against Welily. Welily pounces on the loose shots and forges ahead
8-5. Welily takes the game 11-6.
Game 3. Serme continues to give Welily too much in the front court
to work with. Welily counter drops extremely well. Serme somehow
stays close 4-4, 6-6. Serme changes to a backhand game taking Welily
by surprise and Welily missing drops from the backcourt. Serme
defending well, playing solid. Takes game 11-6.
Game 4. Welily comes out firing 7-0. Took time for Serme to settle.
Interesting call by Serme asking referees to reverse stroke call
against Welily. This was the tipping point for Serme, she lost her
rhythm and struggled to the end. Welily dominates the T volleying
like a demon, mounting ridiculous amount of pressure. Doesn’t allow
Serme into the game. 11-4 to Serme.
Game 5 Both players locked in. Serme playing attacking squash early
on. Wilily dictating the game with good length. Welily absorbs
attacking pressure well, takes a 6-3 lead. Great patience and
extends it to 9-5. Closes it out 11-6. 3-2 to Welily.
Welily “She controlled the match throughout most of it, I’m just
happy I could keep my head strong and push back.”
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31-Jan:
Round ONE - Kawy and Au topple seeds in Ohio
Camille Serme 3-0 Jenny Duncalf
Game 1. Serme out of the box early. Duncalf comes back too little
too late, 11-6.
Game 2. Duncalf - competitive. Good points, measured and calculated
ground strokes. Serme pulls away late, 11-6.
Game 3. Duncalf renewed sense of purpose. 3-0. Serme responds 4-3.
Back and forth, classic squash both players moving well. 5-5. Mini
bursts of brilliance by Serme in the back court, forcing errors by
Duncalf, 9-5 then 11-5. 3-0 Serme.
Raneem El Welily 3-1 Madeline Perry
Weleily strong backcourt game. Powerful ground strokes pinning Perry
very deep. Forcing pace from the start. Perry managed to pull one
game back, but Weleily dominance undeniable. 3-1 Weleily
Annie Au 3-2 Nour El Sherbini
 Game
1. Au moving well to cover the court. Winning many points off basic
serve and volley, forcing Sherbini deep into the court and very
quickly up front again. Sherbini couldn’t handle Au early on
shooting to stay in the match – it didn’t work 11-6 to Au.
Game 2. Great length game from Sherbini. Her reach allowed her to
pluck the ball out of the air and force the pace on Au. Many errors
by Au. Sherbini closes it out in good fashion 11-5.
Game 3. Au pushing ball deeper, back to basics. Using basic drives
and lobs to move the less nimble Sherbini all over the court.
Sherbini keeps composure – slows the game down and breaking Au’s
rhythm. Sherbini takes the game 11-7.
Game 4. Both players aware of what’s at stake. Au takes more pace
off the ball. Deep and searching shots and attacking across the body
of Sherbini. Au takes the game 11-9.
Game 5. Both players struggle to control the T. Au picked up were
she left off the last game. Moving Serbini and making her earn every
point. Very punishing squash. Sherbini had to work for every point
and the game stayed even thru 6-6 but eventually Au separated 11-6.
Au takes match 3-2.
Laura Massaro 3-0 Sarah Kippax
Game 1. Massaro dominate 7-0 Controls the game 11-3.
Game 2. Massaro many errors front court. Kippax forges ahead 7-5.
Massaro eventually found good length trying to avoid the front
court. Kippax pushes ball deeper more patient but Massaro creeps
back, forcing errors. Game to Massaro 11-8.
Game 3. Massaro 4-3. Kippax had problems with back hand depth from
Massaro. Massaro wins 11-3. Match 3-0 to Massaro.
Low Wee Wern 3-0 Yathreb Adel
Game 1. Contrast in styles. Adel as is her style forcing play to the
front. Wern looking to keep Adel back. True to form Adel attacking
short on the backhand switches to forehand as Wern defends well.
Wern’s defensive ability frustrates Adel who makes more errors. Adel
stays close at 5-5 eventually pressure pays off for Wean 11-8.
Game 2. Adel using height to pick up the tempo with good volleying.
Wern’s length is impeccable, responding well to challenge from Adel.
Adel continues to cover front well. Wern is very confident, takes
the game11-6.
Game 3. Adel shooting early in the third. Wern keeps sending Adel
the wrong way. Despite 3-3 Adel has no response and makes more
errors. How to beat a shooter by Wern 11-6. Match to Wern 3-0.
Nour El Tayeb 3-0 Victoria Lust
 Tayeb
settles quickly gives Lust few opportunities to move up the court
forcing her very deep finishing well at the front of the court.
Tayeb is never threatened. 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 Tayeb 3-0.
Nicol David 3-0 Emily Whitlock
Game 1 David showing pace isn’t a function of hitting the ball hard
11-2.
Game 2 Basic squash from David. Whitlock staying with her 3-3, 4-4.
David is patient, working the young Brit in the back and front of
the court ; 6-4,8-5. Game ends11-5.
Game 3 David continues to play length game not giving Whitlock much
to work with. Whitlock had to earn the points she won. David sticks
to basics even when Whitlock came back from 8-3 with 4 pretty points
to 7-8. But David is too much for Whitlock, 11-7.
Omneya Abdel Kawy 3-1 Alison Waters
Game 1. 5-5 fun points. It was a game of chess between these two
athletes. Both players showed great skill and wit early. Nice power
and length from Kawy allows her to settle in better than Waters
taking her to an 8-6 lead. Waters comes back, but Kawy closes it on
2 nice points 11-9
Game 2. Kawy confident but Waters fights back to 3-3 then gets in
the groove 7-3, 9-3, 11-3.
Game 3. Kawy more assertive playing great length quicker on the ball
out to 3-0 lead. Waters battled back 3-3, 5-3, 7-4. Kawy reading
game well. Not panicking. Anticipating ball well and playing ball
into empty spaces. Roars back 8-8 then 11-9.
Game 4. Kawy continues pushing her advantage with power and pace on
the ball 3-0. Once again Waters comes back. Not giving up. 3-3, 5-5,
7-5, 7-7. Great shot making from both players. Every point hotly
contested. 8-7,8-8,9-8,9-9, Kawy takes game 11-9. Match to Kawy.
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DRAW &
Results
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30-Jan-15:
Qualifying Finals
Bob Botti Reports
Emily Whitlock 3-1 Nicolette Fernandes 11-5, 7-11,
12-10, 11-2
Game 1. Many nice exchanges. Feeling each other’s game out.
Fernandes didn’t take many opportunities at the front. Nice drop
winners on both sides of the court from behind by Whitlock.
Aggressive backhand attack with good change of pace by the young
Brit. Mostly error free. Very clean game. Game to Whitlock 11-5.
Game 2. Fernandes comes out determined. Good attacking boasts caught
Whitlock off guard. Forges ahead 6-3. Game to Fernandes 11-7.
Game 3. Critical game. Fernandes struggled finding her rhythm. At
times when she attacked balls in the air she had her most success
but at the end several errors by Fernandes and nice kills by
Whitlock proved too much for the lady from Guyana. Game to Whitlock
12-10.
Game 4. 3 errors in first 5 points by Fernandes and Whitlock races
to 8-0 lead. Cruised to the game 11-2, taking Fernandes on a tour of
every inch of the court. Match to Whitlock 3-1.
Victoria Lust 3-1 Emma Beddoes
12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 10-6 (rtd)
Game 1. Scrappy game. High tempo from both players. Back and forth
for the lead. Errors by both players. 12-10 Lust
Game 2. Much of the same. Beddoes changing pace. Much more
comfortable took 3-7 lead. Confidence building. Game to Beddoes 11-7
Game 3 Beddoes still hunting the ball. Lobbing well. Attacking the
front left corner short. Could have used a bit more length to close
it out. Left the door open for an aggressive Lust to get from 6-9 to
11-9 scoring the last 5 points.
Game 4 Lust has the wind in her sails. Came out strong. Ferocious
pace a bit too much for a recovering Beddoes to deal with on this
day. 8-1 lead. Beddoes no quitter. Literally left everything on the
court. 10-6 retired. Match to lust 3-1.
Yathreb Adel 3-1 Salma Hany Ibrahim
7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 3-1 (rtd)
Game 1. Ibrahim comes out firing 7-3. Adel searching for more
length. Ibrahim won’t let her settle in. Breaking Adel’s rhythm,
going short and ending the points quickly. Very entertaining squash
by two young Egyptians. 11-7 to Ibrahim.
Game 2. Adel responds in kind. Shooting to a 5-1 lead. Dominated
game closing it out 11-3.
Game 3. Both players struggling for more length and the lead. Things
going Adel’s way 4-1. Utilizing her reach and height to control the
left hand wall. Cranking up the tempo with volleys to the front
court and found the nick more than once. Ibrahim fights back but
Adel is too good. 11-8.
Game 4. Early collision injury results in Ibrahim withdrawal. Second
one of the day! Match Adel 3-1.
Sarah Kippax 3-2 Line Hansen 11-4, 6-11,
11-8, 4-11, 14-12
Game 1 Kippax dictates the pace with very basic squash moving Hanson
with great depth and uncompromising width. Hansen has no answer 8-1. Kippax pressure too much 11-4.
Game 2 A stroke brings Hansen into the game. Deeper play and firmer
strokes to the backhand Quick 6-0 lead playing the ball into the
empty spaces. Kippax surprised by the turn around. Change in
momentum with Hanson firmly in control of game 2. Game to Hansen
11-6.
Game 3 Kippax focused. Reading game well. Hanson very exposed
playing loose and Kippax capitalizing to a 6-2 lead. Reverse of last
game Hansen tries to come back but deficit too great and Kippax
keeps her head. Kippax had more back wall boasts in that match than
in the history of squash. 11-8 to Kippax.
Game 4. Both players locked in but Hansen regained composure and
made difference going short on the right wall at the right moments.
Game to Hansen 11-4.
Game 5 First one today. Hansen still dropping with great effect on
the left wall and defending lobs well. Both players well dug in.
Longer points. Higher tempo. Hanson moving on to the ball a lot
quicker and finding better placement. Kippax responding to being
down 2-5 with excellent anticipation and reading the game well. Felt
like Kippax was almost done at 3-7 but played several critical
points with no errors and moved back to 7-7.
In the end it was a
menacing backcourt game. Precise and Entertaining. A classic game of
attrition that Kippax won as Hansen hit the tin. Game to Kippax
14-12. Match to Kippax 3-2
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DRAW &
Results
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29-Jan:
QUALIFIERS DAY ONE
Jermaine Xaba Reports
EMILY WHITLOCK (Eng) 3-0 COLETTE
SULTANA (Mal)11-0; 11-3; 11-3
Whitlock dispatched the young sophomore from Colombia University in
just under 21 minutes. Good depth and merciless volleying from
Whitlock took the pace too high for Sultana to find her rhythm. Very
aggressive and measured in the front of the court – Whitlock was
able to force errors out of Sultana. Sultana admitted that she was
“intimidated by the big stage and Whitlock’s mastery of basics”
Whitlock: “Good 1st match, happy to play solid and stick to the basics…”
Sultana: “Although I lost, I really enjoyed the experience. Now I just
have to get back to NYC tomorrow for an interview with Goldman
Sachs. “Such a privilege to play someone of Whitlock’s ability.”
VICTORIA LUST (Eng) 3-0 MENNA NASSER (Egy) 11-3; 11-3; 11-4
Lust made quick work of Nasser – the deal was sealed in just under
21 minutes. Lust looked like she was having fun out on the court,
very aggressive and physical all around the court. The Englishman’s
attacking play with hard low shots forced many errors out of Nasser
who seemed to catch the ball very late and only had boasts as a
response which mostly went into the tin.
Lust: “it was work as usual, played quick and kept to the plan.”
YATHREB ADEL (Egy) 3-2 COLINE AUMARD (Fra)
6-11; 11-8; 10-12; 11-8; 11-6
 It took 75 minutes, which included a 10 minute recovery time for a
contributed injury to Adel to separate these two great athletes.
Every point was hotly contested, at times very physically and
verbally as well. Adel managed to hang on and come back from a bad
collision with Aumad to take the game.
EMMA BEDDOES (Eng) 3-0 LAUREN LEIZMAN (USA) 11-1; 11-2; 11-0
Lauren Leizman will have quite the story to tell her new team mates
when she starts her college career as a freshman at Cornell next
year. Leizman lasted 22 minutes on court against world number 18,
Emma Beddoes. The young high school student showed moments of great
maturity and discipline to stay on court for that long.
Beddoes did get knocked down to the maple wood at one point, but
hopped up and put the game away in solid fashion playing deep and
not giving Leizman anything to attack.
NICOLETTE FERNANDES (Guy) 3-2 LATASHA KHAN (USA)
10-12; 11-5; 11-4; 2-11
Khan played a solid game, great variation of pace, playing attacking
winners into the open space. Fernandez was not quite as settled as
Khan, but a combination of true grit, determination, helped by
incredible athleticism allowed Fernandez to cover the court very
well and scrap the win in 46 minutes.
Fernandes: “I enjoy squash so much that I’m always happy to go five games.
I’m looking forward to playing Emily tomorrow.”
SARAH KIPPAX (Eng) 3-1 ANNA KIMBERLEY (Eng)
11-7; 11-6; 6-11; 11-6 (40m)
 Kippax:
“I felt pretty comfortable throughout the match- stayed away from
the short game early on and gave very few attacking options to my
opponent. Anna did surprise me in the third when I got a bit too
comfortable and went short too early and lost that game. I went to
back to basics and I feel good about the result. Ready to move onto
the next stage.”
Kimberley: “Kippax totally dominated the court, she stuck to basics more
than I did and it paid off. I needed to do more of what I did in the
3rd game, step up and take the short ball early and apply some
pressure.”
LINE HANSEN (Den) 3-0 BELEN ETCHECHOURY (Arg)
11-6; 11-4; 11-0 (17m)
Hanson was in total control of the game from the start. Etchechoury
did not apply enough pressure on Hansen allowing her too much time
on the T. Hanson dominated the front court, pushing the Argentine
all over court with immense pace that never allowed Etchechoury time
to settle.
Hansen: “I had a good game plan, I executed it well, controlled the T. I
knew I was going to win. She’s very new on the tour and it takes
time to adapt. I played quick, like to play quick – I’m not a
marathon runner. I gave her very little time on the ball and it
worked.”
SALMA Hany (Egy) 3-0 SABRINA SOBHY
11-7; 11-9; 11-6
 From the onset Ibrahim attacked Sobhy in the front court stretching
the young American from corner to corner. Sobhy held up well
battling hard in the second game losing out by just 2 points. Sobhy
admitted that she could not really cope with Ibrahim who played some
breath taking squash.
Sobhy: “I just tried to hang in there. I was ill mid week, just could
not cope with Salma today.”
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Photo Galleries
(photos by
Michael Weil)
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