Australian
Donna Urquhart collected the 11th title of her PSA World Tour career
courtesy of a straight games victory over Victoria Lust in the final of
the PSA W25 Bahl and Gaynor Cincinnati Gaynor Cup.
With the title on the line both players began tentatively, probing for
an early opening as the traded points back and forth. It was Urquhart
though who managed to force the first opening, using delicate slight of
hand to secure a tightly contest first game 11-9.
She then doubled her advantage after coming through a nervy second game
tie-break 13-11 and with a 2-0 lead established, the Australian relaxed
in the third to break Lust’s resilience and complete an impressive title
winning performance.
“You dream of weeks were it all comes together and you keep playing at
the top of your game,” said Urquhart.
“I just can’t believe it happened here, I am so happy.”
Australian
Donna Urquhart put in a flawless performance as she halted the run
of teenage sensation Rowan Elaraby to reach the final of the 2018
Bahl and Gaynor Cincinnati Gaynor Cup.
Elaraby had scalped Emily Whitlock and Millie Tomlinson to book an
unexpected last four berth, but came unstuck against Urquhart as the
Australian put on a display of pinpoint accuracy from the off to
record a 3-0 win that emphasised the quality of game she produced.
Tournament second seed, Victoria Lust, reached her 23rd PSA Tour
final in a physical match with Mariam Metwally, where he superior
agility enabled hee to come out on top despite some excellent
racquet work from the Egyptian.
Egyptian World Junior champion Rowan Elaraby continued her giant killing
run at the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup to follow up her first round defeat of
top seed Emily Whitlock with a clinical 3-0 victory over World No.25
Millie Tomlinson.
Elaraby picked up where she left off against Whitlock, controlling
proceedings against Tomlinson from the off before withstanding a period
of intense pressure in the first game to see it out 11-9 – setting up
the platform for a comfortable win.
She’ll now face Donna Urquhart for a place in the final after the
Australian saw off Hollie Naughton in straight games.
The bottom half of the draw will see second seeded Victoria Lust take on
Maria Metwally of Egypt after they both won their last eight encounters
courtesy of a 3-1 scoreline, over Misaki Kobayashi ad Samantha Cornett,
respectively.
