Waters Outlasts El Tayeb, Urquhart Over Cornett In Women's US Open Qualifying Finals
by Steve Cubbins
October 7, 2012 - Qualifying finals of the WSA $70,000 Delawarre Investments U.S. Open saw four of the world’s top twenty in action and all duly claimed their places in the main draw, but it was easier for some than others.
France’s Camille Serme, the world number twelve, found herself two games down to Sarah Kippax, the Englishwoman who had beaten home favourite Amanda Sobhy in five yesterday. This was destined to go the full distance too as Serme stormed back to take the next three games.
“She was playing very well, but I didn’t think I was playing well at all, it felt like I was playing against myself first and also against my opponent! So after the first two games I just told myself I had nothing to lose, I relaxed and managed to play much better.
“I’m very happy to get through!” She’ll play Nicol David next.
Another five-setter followed, but this time the Englishwoman - Alison Waters - stopped her opponent from completing the comeback.
Dominated in the first two games, Nour El Tayeb pulled away at the end of the third, saved a match ball to level in the fourth, but couldn’t keep the momentum going as Waters, the current world number eight, claimed the second qualifying spot. Next up for Waters is Natalie Grinham.
The final two places were claimed by Donna Urquhart and Joelle King, both 3/0 winners over Sam Cornett and Kanzy El Dafrawy respectively, and they will meet Madeline Perry and Nour El Sherbini in tomorrow’s main draw first round.
Women's Qualifying Finals:
Camille Serme (Fra) bt Sarah Kippax (Eng) 8-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-7 (59m)
Alison Waters (Eng) v Nour El Tayeb (Egy) 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 10-12, 11-5 (54m)
Donna Urquhart (Aus) bt Samantha Cornett (Can) 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 (32m)
Joelle King (Nzl) bt Kanzy El Dafrawy (Egy) 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (32m)
DRAW
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