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Sun & Surf
Jericho Open,
Vancouver, Canada
Latasha Khan
Battles To Sun & Surf Success In Vancouver
After a
four-month break from Tour action, USA's Latasha Khan made a powerful
comeback at the Women's Sun & Surf Jericho Open in Canada by
successfully defending the $11,100 WISPA World Tour squash title at the
Jericho Tennis Club in Vancouver.
Khan had to be
at her best in the opening round, where the indefatigable 37-year-old from
Seattle fought off a spirited attack from former Canadian rival Melanie Jans.
The former world No25 from Vancouver, also 37, was making her first Tour
appearance since February 2007 - and, after qualifying, took Khan the full
distance before the top seed began her advance to the final.
Indeed, Khan's
opponent in the climax was second seed Alana Miller - the favourite's
fourth Canadian opponent in the event.
The defending
champion took the opening two games, but Winnipeg-based Miller fought back to
draw level.
Khan kept her
composure, however, and closed out the match 11-8, 11-7, 12-14, 2-11, 11-7 after
58 minutes to win the Vancouver title for the third time in four years.
The triumph
takes world No29 Khan's career WISPA title tally to seven, from 15 final
appearances.
1st round:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [Q] Melanie Jans (CAN) 11-4, 6-11, 8-11,
11-4, 11-2 (48m)
[8] Samantha Cornett (CAN) bt Imelda Salazar Martinez (MEX) 11-2,
11-5, 11-7 (21m)
[4] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) bt Thaisa Serafini (BRA) 11-9, 11-6,
12-10 (30m)
Milou van der Heijden (NED) bt [7] Stephanie Edmison (CAN) 12-14,
8-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-9 (48m)
[6] Carolyn Russell (CAN) bt [Q] Karina Heredia Gonzalez (MEX)
11-3, 11-3, 11-3 (16m)
[3] Miranda Ranieri (CAN) bt Genevieve Lessard (CAN) 11-9, 11-3,
12-10 (22m)
[5] Alexandra Norman (CAN) bt [Q] Ivonne Diaz (MEX) 11-1, 11-6,
11-4 (22m)
[2] Alana Miller (CAN) bt [Q] Nayelly Hernandez (MEX) 11-6, 11-4,
11-1 (19m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [8] Samantha Cornett (CAN) 11-8, 8-11,
11-5, 11-7 (37m)
[4] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) bt Milou van der Heijden (NED)
12-10, 11-7, 11-6 (30m)
[6] Carolyn Russell (CAN) bt [3] Miranda Ranieri (CAN) w/o
[2] Alana Miller (CAN) bt [5] Alexandra Norman (CAN) 11-7, 11-6,
8-11, 11-9 (41m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [4] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 16-14,
11-6, 11-9 (34m)
[2] Alana Miller (CAN) bt [6] Carolyn Russell (CAN) 11-9, 11-3,
11-8 (25m)
Final:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [2] Alana Miller (CAN) 11-8, 11-7,
12-14, 2-11, 11-7 (58m)
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