Beddoes blast sets up all-Yorkshire clash with Jenny Duncalf in quarter-finals
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
Just a week after losing to Nour El Sherbini in the first round of the US Open, England’s unseeded Emma Beddoes gained her revenge in convincing style in today’s opening round of the Women’s Macau Open when she despatched the third seed from Egypt in straight games to claim an unexpected place in the quarter-finals of the WSA Gold 50 squash event at Complex Desportivo International do Cotai in Taipa, Macau.
“Pleased to beat Sherbini in 3 today and get revenge for last week!” the delighted 29-year-old world No.20 from Leeds (right) told her Twitter followers after her 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 upset. “Play England team mate Jenny Duncalf tomorrow 5pm in quarters @MacauSquash”
Seventh seed Duncalf was taken the full distance in an all-English first round battle with qualifier Victoria Lust.
Former world No.2 Duncalf twice led her Canada-based compatriot, but 25-year-old Lust drew level both times.
The experienced 31-year-old from Harrogate gave a mighty last push to close out the match 11-4, 9-11, 11-2, 4-11, 11-6.
At the top of the draw, Malaysian favourite Nicol David took on Asian rival Joshna Chinappa, the world No.21 from India. It was the world No1 from Penang’s first appearance in Macau since reaching the event’s semi-finals in November 2001 as an 18-year-old.
Furthermore, David arrived in Taipa fresh from grabbing an historic third successive US Open title last week in Philadelphia. Chinappa made fellow Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist David (pictured above in Macau action with Chinappa) work hard for the victory which she eventually clinched in three close games 11-8, 12-10, 12-10.
David’s reward is a surprise all-Malaysian quarter-final clash with Delia Arnold after the Kuala Lumpur-born 28-year-old and lowest-ranked qualifier stunned Ireland’s No5 seed Madeline Perry 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-8.
China interest in the last eight will be led by Annie Au, the fourth seed from Hong Kong who defeated local wildcard Liu Kwai Chi 11-2, 11-5, 11-6.
Au, the 25-year-old world No10, will take on indefatigable Rachael Grinham, the 37-year-old Australian who is enjoying her 21st year on the WSA World Tour. Sixth seed Grinham beat Dane Line Hansen 11-9, 11-4, 11-8.
The quarter-final at the bottom of the draw will be the match predicted by the draw, between Egypt’s No2 seed Raneem El Welily and England’s Sarah-Jane Perry, the eighth seed.
Perry eased past Hong Kong’s Joey Chan 11-9, 11-3, 12-10, but world No3 El Welily had to recover from a game down to get the better of 20-year-old English qualifier Emily Whitlock 4-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7.
RESULTS: Women’s Macau Open, Taipa, Macau.
1st round:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt Joshana Chinappa (IND) 11-8, 12-10, 12-10
[Q] Delia Arnold (MAS) bt [5] Madeline Perry (IRL) 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-8
Emma Beddoes (ENG) bt [3] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 11-9, 11-6, 11-7
[7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [Q] Victoria Lust (ENG) 11-4, 9-11, 11-2, 4-11, 11-6
[6] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Line Hansen (DEN) 11-9, 11-4, 11-8
[4] Annie Au (HKG) bt [WC] Liu Kwai Chi (MAC) 11-2, 11-5, 11-6
[8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Joey Chan (HKG) 11-9, 11-3, 12-10
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [Q] Emily Whitlock (ENG) 4-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7
Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [Q] Delia Arnold (MAS)
Emma Beddoes (ENG) v [7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[4] Annie Au (HKG) v [6] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
For all the latest WSA Tour news: wsaworldtour.com
Pictures courtesy of WSA