Fifteen-year-old Habiba Ahmed sinks England’s Sarah Kippax in Monaco
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
Egyptian teenagers Habiba Mohamed Ahmed and Mariam Metwally defied the seedings in the Women’s Monte Carlo Classic by claiming unexpected places in the quarter-finals of the WSA Silver 25 event in its 19th year at Stade Louis II in Monaco.
Ahmed, at 15, the youngest player in the draw, despatched England’s experienced No5 seed Sarah Kippax – a semi-finalist in 2011 – 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 in 33 minutes.
The youngster from Alexandria (pictured above with Kippax), who is making her debut in the event after celebrating a career-high world No24 ranking this month, now takes on top seed Camille Serme.
The world No.6 from Creteil in France successfully began the defence of her title by beating Canada’s Samantha Cornett 11-3, 11-9, 11-8.
Metwally, a 17-year-old qualifier also from Alexandria, also removed a former event semi-finalist when she defeated Denmark’s seventh seed Line Hansen 11-4, 11-6, 11-5.
Currently boasting a career-best world ranking of 52 and also a Monte Carlo Classic debutante, Metwally (pictured right with Hansen) now lines up against fellow Egyptian Omneya Abdel Kawy.
The 29-year-old fourth seed from Cairo – who made her debut in the 2001 championship and clinched the title in 2010 – brushed aside New Zealand qualifier Amanda Landers-Murphy 11-6, 11-6, 11-3 in just 18 minutes.
WSA veteran Aisling Blake also added her name to the list of surprise quartet-finalists when she triumphed  in an hour-long battle against Guyana’s athletic No.6 seed Nicolette Fernandes, winning 8-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-2, 11-5.
The 33-year-old former world No21 from Sligo (pictured right with Fernandes) joins compatriot Madeline Perry in the last eight when she takes on second seed Dipika Pallikal.
The Indian star ousted top-ranked Welsh opponent Tesni Evans in straight games, although the 22-year-old from Rhyl fought hard in the third game before going down 11-2, 11-6, 13-11.
WSA Monte Carlo Classic, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
1st round:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Samantha Cornett (CAN) 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 (33m)
Habiba Mohamed Ahmed (EGY) bt [5] Sarah Kippax (ENG) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (33m)
[4] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [Q] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 11-6, 11-6, 11-3 (18m)
[Q] Mariam Metwally (EGY) bt [7] Line Hansen (DEN) 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 (37m)
[8] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [Q] Coline Aumard (FRA) 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 (38m)
[3] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [Q] Olivia Blatchford (USA) 9-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-7 (40m)
Aisling Blake (IRL) bt [6] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 8-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-2, 11-5 (60m)
[2] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt Tesni Evans (WAL) 11-2, 11-6, 13-11 (36m)
Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) v Habiba Mohamed Ahmed (EGY)
[4] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v [Q] Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[3] Madeline Perry (IRL) v [8] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[2] Dipika Pallikal (IND) v Aisling Blake (IRL)
For all the latest WSA Tour news: wsaworldtour.com
Pictures by Christian Billard courtesy of WSA