Senga
and Frania back for more
as Lucky Loser Matt counts his blessings ...
The first day of action at the Artemis Edinburgh Open features
qualifying matches for the men’s and women’s events, as the
biggest event on the BSPA circuit winds up to full speed.
Women’s qualifying was mainly a local affair, with three Scots
and one Czech progressing to tomorrow’s qualifying finals.
Experience told as many-time Scottish Internationalists (that's
what they call them up here) Senga Macfie, in her home
club, and Frania Gillen-Buchert both won in straight
games against youthful opponents, and Catherine Finlayson won
the third all-Scottish matchup, also in straight games.
Senga has been active on the Masters front, but we hadn’t seen
much of Frania recently.
 “I
stopped playing competitively after the Commonwealth Games in
Delhi, apart from the Europeans where I was injured anyway,” she
explained. “I was just keeping fit, but with the Commonwealths
coming to Glasgow in 2014 I decided I should start playing to
see if I can get into contention for the squad, singles and
doubles.
“It feels really good to be back playing properly again, so I
hope I can keep it going but there’s a lot of young
whippersnappers to keep down though!”
Frania’s next test is against qualifying top seed, England’s
Rachel Willmott.
The longest and toughest match of the session saw the Czech
Republic’s Eva Fertekova take three of four close games
against Northumbria’s Sarah Oswald, pegging back a large deficit
in the fourth to avoid the dreaded decider.
 “It’s
only my second WSA event,” said a delighted winner, “I played
the Coronation Open in London in December, but I’m just starting
out in International events, finding where to play, and how to
play too!
"I play a lot at home in Leagues and tournaments, and I need to
keep my ranking up ready for the Nationals in April, but I’m
hoping to play more International events.”
Eva now faces a familiar opponent in Holland’s Cigany Sivelis.
“In London I won my first match then lost to Cigany, so I hope
to do better this time,” said Eva.
WSA Qualifying Round One:
Frania Gillen-Buchert (Sco) bt Kirsty West (Eng)
11/5, 11/6, 11/9 (31m)
Senga Macfie (Sco) bt Rosie Allan (Sco)
11/5, 11/5, 12/10 (17m)
Catherine Finlayson (Sco) bt Mhairi Charlton (Sco)
11/9, 11/7, 11/4 (26m)
Eva Fertekova (Cze) bt Sarah Oswald (Eng)
11/9, 11/9, 7/11, 14/12 (42m)
 There
was plenty of success for the locals in qualifying for the men’s
BSPA event, although Kevin Moran was one that didn’t make it,
losing out a gruelling five-setter to South African Gareth
Naidoo, who is over here for a few months at Jesse
Engelbrecht’s Academy in Basingstoke.
The withdrawal of top seed Daryl Selby left a lucky loser spot
in the draw, which was filled by Northumbrian Matt Hardy,
who now faces fellow qualifier Chris Ferguson, while Matt’s
conqueror Chris Leiper plays the new top seed Joel
Hinds … lucky loser indeed!
BSPA
Qualifying:
Chris Shinnie v Dan Busby
(Sat 10.30)
Dave Allman bt Colin Stirrat
11/4, 6/11, 11/9, 11/1 (38m)
Greg Lobban bt Konrad Tyme
11/1, 11/6, 11/1
Gareth Naidoo bt Kevin Moran
6/11, 11/3, 11/9, 6/11, 12/10 (65m)
Chris Gray bt Blake Bettley
11/8, 11/4, 11/4
Phil Bull bt Sam Hodgkins
11/5, 8/11, 11/5, 12/10
Chris Ferguson bt Richard King
11/2, 11/1, 11/3
Dougie Kempsell bt Paul Cresswell
8/11, 11/7, 11/6, 11/3
Will John bt Jamie Henderson
11/7, 11/4, 11/7
James Jacobsen bt Neale Brooker
11/6, 11/5, 11/5
Sean Hunter bt Mike Black
11/5, 7/11, 11/8, 11/5
Liam Gutcher bt Ewan Urquhart
10/12, 11/7, 11/5, 14/12 (39m)
Damon Chase bt Chris Clements
15/13, 13/11, 11/8
Chris Leiper bt Matt Hardy
13/11, 11/7, 11/9 (36m) |
 |
