Injury wrecks Landers-Murphy’s hopes as El Torky lifts Montreal title
After two years in Canadian hands, the 2014 Women’s Montreal Open title went overseas when top-seeded Egyptian Heba El Torky beat New Zealander Amanda Landers-Murphy in the final of the WSA World Tour 5 squash event at Club Sportif MAA in Montreal.
And it took the 23-year-old from Alexandria just eight minutes to claim the seventh WSA World Tour title of her career when Landers Murphy, the second seed from Rotorua, withdrew injured after just one game.
El Torky reached the final dropping only one game along the way while her opponent had to battle twice from two games down to beat third-seeded compatriot Megan Craig to make the final.
“At 7-1, it becomes very noticeable that Landers-Murphy was struggling to move and even limping slightly between the rallies,” reported event spokesman Radu Neascu.
El Torky won the game 11-1 and Landers-Murphy took an injury time-out before starting the second game.
“Upon closer investigation, and with a very heavy heart, she conceded the match,” added Neascu. “A rather anticlimactic ending to a highly anticipated match, however we wish her a very speedy recovery and much success on the WSA tour.
Final Results:
[1] Heba El Torky (EGY) 3-0 [2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 11-1 ret. (8m)
Semi-Finals Results:
[1] Heba El Torky (EGY) 3-1 [4] Deon Saffery (WAL) 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6 (39m)
[2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 3-2 [3] Megan Craig (NZL) 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (53m)
Quarter-Finals Results:
[1] Heba El Torky (EGY) 3-1 [7] Tamika Saxby (AUS) 11-3, 7-11, 11-6, 11-2 (34m)
[4] Deon Saffery (WAL) 3-0 [Q] Chloe Chemtob (CAN) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (33m)
[3] Megan Craig (NZL) 3-0 [8] Salma Nassar (EGY) 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (26m)
[2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 3-0 Nikki Todd (CAN) 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (22m)
First Round Results:
[1] Heba El Torky (EGY) 3-0 Hollie Naughton (CAN) 11-2, 12-10, 11-9 (20m)
[7] Tamika Saxby (AUS) 3-0 [Q] Louise Lefebvre (CAN) 11-2, 11-3, 11-8 (20m)
[4] Deon Saffery (WAL) 3-0 [WC] Jaycee Spagrud (CAN) 11-2, 11-4, 11-7 (18m)
[Q] Chloe Chemtob (CAN) 3-0 [6] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5 (60m)
[8] Salma Nassar (EGY) 3-0 [Q] Elisa Garcia (MEX) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (22m)
[3] Megan Craig (NZL) 3-2 Alexandra Norman (CAN) 4-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 (52m)
Nikki Todd (CAN) 3-2 [5] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-4 (46m)
[2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 3-2 [Q] Nouran El Torky (EGY) 5-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-3 (67m)