Welsh ace Tesni Evans powers home in the fifth to beat US Open’s No.13 seed
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
Unseeded Welsh 21-year-old Tesni Evans denied 13th seed Kasey Brown any further action in the 2014 Women’s Delaware Investments US Open when she beat the retiring WSA President on the second day of first round action in the WSA World Series Platinum event at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Runner-up in 2011 and a quarter-finalist for the past two years, Australian Brown had announced this week that she would call it a day at the 2014 championship in Philadelphia, bring to an end a glittering 12-year career on the WSA World Tour.
And the 29-year-old from New South Wales had a second round match in her sights after she built up a two-game lead over her younger opponent.
But Evans kept plugging away, keeping Brown working hard, and pulling away from the middle of the third and fourth game to level the match. And the Cardiff-born underdog did the same in the decider – pulling away from four-all and raising a fist in the direction of the small Welsh contingent in the crowd as she took the game to win the match 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 after 76 minutes.
“I knew it would be tough – we had a 3-2 last time we played,” said world No28 Evans (pictured above in US Open action with Brown). “So at two-nil down I had to believe I could still win, but it’s always good to win close matches like that.”
Evans later admitted to her Twitter followers: “Was tough to play @kaseybrownSQU today as she retired from the tour! Wish you all the best in the future!”
As Brown came off court for the last time she said: “It’s been a great 12 years on the tour, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s probably a good time to get out now, with all these young kids coming through!”
Evans, now in the US Open last 16 for the first time, will face Camille Serme, the fourth seed from France who ended domestic interest in the event when she beat US wildcard Sabrina Sobhy 11-6, 11-4, 13-11.
Another seed bit the dust when Egyptian qualifier Yathreb Adel emerged unscathed from a physical match against England’s Sarah-Jane Perry.
The 17-year-old world No.74 from Cairo – the lowest-ranked player in the draw – defeated 14th seed Perry 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7 in 49 minutes.”It was such a battle for me,” said Adel (pictured right with Perry) after her first meeting with the world No17. “It’s the first time I played the US Open and playing in the main draw.
“I was really looking forward to the match and was trying to keep focused as much as I can and not trying to get involved in what’s happening on court, so I’m glad I did it!”
Adel will now meet Annie Au after the No8 seed from Hong Kong beat English qualifier Victoria Lust 11-4, 11-8, 11-8.
Adel was joined by compatriot Nour El Sherbini in the second round. Playing in her first Tour event since a shock first round defeat in the British Open in May, seventh seed El Sherbini was drawn against her victor Emma Beddoes – and was after revenge over the English player.
Beddoes has enjoyed a good Tour run over the past few months and currently boasts a career-high world No20 ranking. But El Sherbini, the 18-year-old former world No4, was focussed on her task and after 42 minutes wrapped up her 11-4, 6-11, 11-1, 11-8 victory.
“Actually for me it was a revenge match because my last match against her I lost in the British Open,” reiterated El Sherbini. “So when I saw the draw I knew I needed to win this match. I kept the plan and I’m happy to be through.
“My Egyptian teammates mean to me everything when I see them sitting outside,” added the talented teenager. “Without them I’m never going to win any match so thank you everyone for being here!”
El Sherbini progresses to a second round clash with England’s No11 seed Jenny Duncalf. The 2009 champion, competing in her ninth US Open since 2002, denied further Egyptian interest in the last 16 when she beat Alexandria’s Heba El Torky 11-2, 11-5, 11-6.
An English quarter-finalist will be assured after No.2 seed Laura Massaro and 15th seed Sarah Kippax face each other in the second round. World champion Massaro eased to an 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 win over South African qualifier Siyoli Waters while world No18 Kippax was taken the full distance by Line Hansen before defeating the Dane 11-5, 11-9, 5-11, 12-14, 11-8.
“Obviously Line’s a big fighter, and it’s always tough to come back when you’re two love down,” said a relieved Kippax afterwards. “She always has the capability of doing that. It’s quite edgy when you get to that stage, when you’ve been 2-0 up and it’s two all, so I had to just stay calm and stick to my tactics.”
World No.2 Massaro was upbeat after her first round win: “I love it here,” said the 2013 runner-up. “This new court looks and plays great – it’s a great way to showcase the women’s game.
“US Squash has worked hard to get parity for this event and hopefully others will follow suit.
“Last year’s semi and final were pretty brutal,” added the 30-year-old from Preston. “I hope I can go one better this year.”Â
Womens Delaware Investments US Open, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA (Round of 32).
1st round (lower half of draw):
[8] Annie Au (HKG) bt [Q] Victoria Lust (ENG) 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 (33m)
[Q] Yathreb Adel (EGY) bt [14] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7 (49m)
Tesni Evans (WAL) bt [13] Kasey Brown (AUS) 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (76m)
[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [WC] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 11-6, 11-4, 13-11 (32m)
[7] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Emma Beddoes (ENG) 11-4, 6-11, 11-1, 11-8 (42m)
[11] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt Heba El Torky (EGY) 11-2, 11-5, 11-6 (26m)
[15] Sarah Kippax (ENG) bt Line Hansen (DEN) 11-5, 11-9, 5-11, 12-14, 11-8 (58m)
[2] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [Q] Siyoli Waters (RSA) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (29m)
2nd round line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [12] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
[6] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v [16] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [10] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[5] Alison Waters (ENG) v Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[8] Annie Au (HKG) v [Q] Yathreb Adel (EGY)
[4] Camille Serme (FRA) v Tesni Evans (WAL)
[7] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [11] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[2] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [15] Sarah Kippax (ENG)
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Pictures courtesy of US Open