Canadian Hollie Naughton loses to Egyptian ace in Charlottesville final
By SEAN REUTHE
Kanzy Emad El Defrawy stormed to victory over Hollie Naughton in the final of the Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Open, PSA W10 tournament to capture her first PSA World Tour title of the year.
The Egyptian downed compatriot Amina Yousry to achieve her final berth while Naughton notably overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat second seed Deon Saffery in the quarter-final before blitzing past Mayar Hany in the last four.
El Defrawy was in imperious form throughout the final and hit a number of superb shots as she took an early advantage with an 11-2 triumph in the first.
Naughton was under the cosh in the second as well with El Defrawy refusing to give her any time on the ball as she doubled her lead, dropping just a solitary point in the process.
A comeback appeared to be on the cards in the third as Naughton came out all guns blazing, dipping into her repertoire of shots with a multitude of fine drops and low cross court efforts. However, El Defrawy held her off to see out an 11-2, 11-1, 11-5 victory to win her first ever PSA W10 crown.
“This is the biggest PSA World Tour title I’ve won thus far,” said El Defrawy.
“I’m very pleased with the way I played today. I went out there with a solid focus and the mindset to go out and do my best as well as enjoy the game. The key to my win today was to remain cool, calm and collected on court.
“My performances throughout the tournament weren’t my best so I’m certainly pleased with how today went and that I managed to do it in three. I now have the confidence to continue moving onwards and upwards and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead. These facilities in Charlottesville are incredible, those that get to play here on a regular basis are very lucky.
“The whole atmosphere surrounding the tournament was superb and made playing that much more fun.”
$10,000 Women’s Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Open 2015, McArthur Squash Center, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
Final:
[1] Kanzy Emad El Defrawy (EGY) bt [5] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-2, 11-1, 11-5
Semi-finals:
[1] Kanzy Emad El Defrawy (EGY) bt Amina Yousry (EGY) 11-4, 11-7, 6-11, 11-4
[5] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt [8] Mayar Hany (EGY) 11-9, 11-6, 11-8
Quarter-finals:
[1] Kanzy Emad El Defrawy (EGY) bt [7] Nikki Todd (CAN) 7-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8
Amina Yousry (EGY) bt [3] Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK) 11-4, 13-11, 6-11, 11-8
[8] Mayar Hany (EGY) bt [4] Catalina Pelaez (COL) 11-5, 11-4, 11-4
[5] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt [2] Deon Saffery (WAL) 11-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-9
1st round:
[1] Kanzy Emad El Defrawy (EGY) bt Marie Stephan (FRA) 11-5, 11-7, 11-7
[7] Nikki Todd (CAN) bt Melina Turk (CAN) 11-3, 11-9, 11-5
Amina Yousry (EGY) bt [6] Latasha Khan (USA) 11-5, 11-7, 12-10
[3] Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK) bt Thaisa Serafini (BRA) 11-6, 14-12, 11-4
[4] Catalina Pelaez (COL) bt [WC] Chanel Erasmus (RSA) 14-12, 11-3, 11-5
[8] Mayar Hany (EGY) bt Nadiia Usenko (UKR) 11-4, 11-1, 11-4
[5] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Diana Garcia (MEX) 11-6, 11-7, 11-6
[2] Deon Saffery (WAL) bt Reyna Pacheco (USA) 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2