American topples South Africa’s Siyoli Waters to complete dazzling run
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad Correspondent
US squash star Olivia Blatchford celebrated her first WSA World Tour final appearance away from her homeland in sensational style – by dismissing higher-ranked South African Siyoli Waters in straight games to win the Women’s Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas in Huixquilucan, Mexico.
The 21-year-old from New York, ranked 61 in the world, was enjoying one of the best runs of her career in the WSA Tour 15 event at Universidad Anahuac.
Seeded five, Blatchford blasted out No.2 seed Aisling Blake in the quarter-finals before ousting home hope Samantha Teran, the No4 seed from Mexico, in the semis.
There was no stopping the US number five in the final where she came from behind in the first two games against Waters to defeat the No3 seed 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.
It was the fifth Tour final of Blatchford’s career – but it produced the New Yorker’s third, and biggest, title.
It followed her dynamic winning performance for Team USA when she clinched the gold medal in the Pan-American Games.Â
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Picture courtesy of WSA