Age is
just a number for Latasha in the Hamptons
Latasha
Khan won the 7th WISPA title of her career this week at the Tour
8 Hamptons Open in Southampton, New York.
The
American veteran showed that at 38 years old, she still has what it takes to
see off the up and coming stars of the future.
The first
round saw all the top eight seeds move through to the quarter finals,
although for some it was far from easy. Khan, the top seed, eased past young
American Sabrina Sobhy, sister of US no.1 Amanda. Second seed Joshna
Chinappa also progressed in straight games over another American, Elpinki
Clement. There were further straight game victories for German number one
Sina Wall, Canada's Samantha Cornett and South American number one Thaisa
Serafini.
The
Mexican duo of Nayelly Hernandez and Ivonne Diaz were tested before making
it through. Hernandez held off a late challenge from Indian qualifier
Aparajitha Balamurukan and Diaz edged past compatriot Imelda Salazar
Martinez.
The final
seed to make it through was Canada's Stephanie Edmison. Edmison looked on
her way out, down two games to one, but she fought back and finally won in
the fifth game tie break against last year's finalist and former top 25
player Suzie Pierrepont.
The
quarter finals brought further success for the top four seeds as they all
progressed to the semis. Khan ended Serafini's challenge whilst Chinappa and
Wall disposed of the Mexican pair, Hernandez and Diaz, all in straight
games. The last quarter final saw an all Canadian battle between Cornett and
Edmison. Cornett moved into a two game lead and looked to be moving into the
semi final, but Edmison fought back and pushed the match into a decider. It
was Cornett who came out stronger in the fifth game and took it 11-8 to
progress.
The first
semi final saw Khan take on Wall. Khan's experience was just too much for
Wall she eased through to the final without being tested too much by the
German. The second semi final ended in retirement with the match poised at
two games all. Chinappa had built up a two game advantage before Cornett
stormed back. In the fourth it appeared that Chinappa had a self inflicted
injury and she was unable to continue in the fifth.
The final
saw a match up between two players separated in age by 18 years! They had
met once before back in 2010 at the Sun and Surf with Khan winning in four
games. Khan wasn't to be denied again and she held off the threat from the
young Canadian in three games. Cornett had her chances in the second game,
pushing it to a tie break but she couldn't find a way past Khan precise shot
making.
Khan at 38
becomes the second oldest player to ever win a tour title, only being
eclipsed by England legend Suzanne Horner who was 40 when she won the Swiss
Open back in 2003.
For
Cornett it was an incredible fifth final of the year and likely place in the
world's top 50 in next month's rankings.
Final:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [4] Samantha Cornett (CAN) 11/5 12/10 11/7
Semi
Finals:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [3] Sina Wall (GER) 11/4 11/5 11/5
[4] Samantha Cornett (CAN) bt [2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) 5/11 9/11 11/9 11/2
rt
Quarter
Finals:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [5] Thaisa Serafini (BRA) 11/8 11/6 11/5
[3] Sina Wall (GER) bt [6] Ivonne Diaz (MEX) 11/5 11/9 11/4
[4] Samatha Cornett (CAN) bt [8] Stephanie Edmison (CAN) 11/7 11/8 8/11 6/11
11/8
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [7] Nayelly Hernandez (MEX) 11/5 11/8 11/8
1st
Round:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [Q] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 11/7 11/4 11/4
[5] Thaisa Serafini (BRA) bt [Q] Julianne Chu (USA) 11/2 11/6 11/9
[3] Sina Wall (GER) bt Leonie Holt (ENG) 11/9 11/9 11/8
[6] Ivonne Diaz (MEX) bt Imelda Salazar Martinez (MEX) 7/11 11/6 11/7 12/14
11/8
[8] Stephanie Edmison (CAN) bt Suzie Pierrepont (ENG) 7/11 11/9 5/11 12/10
13/11
[4] Samantha Cornett (CAN) bt [Q] Anaka Alankamony (IND) 11/5 13/11 11/9
[7] Nayelly Hernandez (MEX) bt [Q] Aparajitha Balamurukan (IND) 11/7 11/5
10/12 11/8
[2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Elpiniki Clement (USA) 11/1 11/5 11/8
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