Top seed Emily Whitlock became the first woman to claim two PSA
World Tour titles in 2016 by downing Australia’s Christine Nunn to
lift the Calgary CFO Consulting Services Women’s Squash Week, PSA
W15 title.
The Englishwoman, whose last piece of silverware came at the end of
January at the Winnipeg Winter Club Women’s Open, dropped just a
solitary game en route to the final against Hollie Naughton in round
one, while Nunn scythed through the field with three straight 3-0
wins.
Games one and two were the tightest in the final with each player
managing to win one game apiece, both by a 14-12 tie-break scoreline
which highlighted the intense action that was unfolding in front of
an enraptured crowd.
Whitlock came into her own in the third though and was sensational
as her drop volleys and impressive court coverage enabled her to
surge into a 2-1 lead for the loss of just two points.
Nunn came back in the fourth as she tried to halt Whitlock’s
momentum, but the 22-year-old World No.17 fended off her challenge
as she held on to triumph by a 12-14, 14-12, 11-2, 11-6 scoreline to
capture her 15th career PSA World Tour title.
The first round of the CFO Consulting Services Women’s Squash Week,
PSA W15 tournament saw fifth seed Teh Min Jin flirt with elimination
after being pushed all the way to a deciding fifth game by English
qualifier Alison Thomson.
Min Jie fell to a shock 2-0 deficit after an onslaught of attacking
squash from Thomson put the World No.85 on the cusp of victory but
she was unable to capitalise as Min Jie produced a superb comeback
to take the win by an 7-11, 12-14, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 margin.
Top seed Emily Whitlock advanced without any problems after she
managed a victory over Hollie Naughton. World No.17 Whitlock, who
won the Winnipeg Winter Club Women’s Open in January, will meet Min
Jie in the next round.
Australia’s Christine Nunn looked to be in fine fettle as she saw
off the challenge of home hope Nikki Todd. The Australian took the
match 3-1 to reach the last eight stage for the third time in her
last four PSA World Tour events where she will play Rachel Arnold
who dispatched Mexican qualifier Diana Garcia with a composed
performance.
Milou van der Heijden progressed safely through to the next round
after prevailing in three games over and she will play Sarah
Cardwell whose impressive dismantling of Erin Roberts saw her
through to the quarter-final.
Wildcard Danielle Letourneau is also through after her win against
seventh seed Lee Ka Yi and she will meet Sachika Ingale who defeated
Melina Turk.
