Alison Waters, In Comeback Bid, Beats World #7 Kasey Brown To Win $25K WSA Atwater Cup In Montreal
from DailySquashReport.com
March 24, 2012 - Former world #3 Alison Waters of Middlesex, England, came from 2-1 down last night to overcome top-seeded Kasey Brown of Australia in an 83-minute affair and capture the WSA $25,000 Atwater Cup title before an enthusiastic crowd in Montreal.
The final scorecard read 7-11 11-5 9-11 11-6 11-3.
With the victory, the 28-year-old Waters served notice that she is all the way back following an extended injury hiatus.
In the 16's, Waters ground out a tight four-gamer over England's world #22 Emma Beddoes. She then smothered 25th-ranked Aisling Blake of Ireland in the quarters 2, 4, and 5 and 19th-ranked Joey Chan of Hong Kong 3, 3, and 7 in the semis.
Brown needed 65 minutes to win her straight-game semifinal against Sarah Kippax, as unseasonably warm temperatures in Montreal likely contributed to extended rallies throughout the event.
Next up for Waters is the Granite Club Open in Toronto, while Brown heads to the $70,000 March 26-31 Kuala Lumpur Open in Malaysia.
After her finals loss to Waters, Kasey was gracious on her blog:
"Tonight I lost a hard fought match against Alison Waters 3/2. It was a long and hard fought match and Alison is back playing her best squash. Although I was up 2/1, Waters fought back well and really attacked well in the 5th game to take out the tournament. I had enough time to have a quick shower and head straight to the airport where I am about to board my flight to Malaysia for the KL Open. Let's hope I don't cramp up on the flight, although I know I will sleep well. Well done to Glen Wilson and the team at the Atwater Club for putting on such a successful event."
Glen Wilson Files This Report:
Waters edges Brown in the best match of the tournament.
This was the match everyone had been waiting for. Brown the world number 7 against Waters the former world number 3 and we weren't disappointed.
Brown started the better settling into her game nicely. Waters was a little loose which enabled Brown to take advantage of the middle and place Waters under some pressure. Some long exchanges both players were being very patient but Brown had the upper hand early on taking the first.
In the second Waters came out firing, hitting the ball alot harder and mixing it up more moving Brown around the court. Brown s defence was solid but Waters had found a few chinks in Browns armour and was able to hit some nice winners from her sustained pressure. Waters levels it at 1 all.
The third was a real fight, both players didn't want to give anything away. Point for point and then at 9 all the best rally of the tournament. Over 150 shots of both players moving the ball around, working each other like crazy to try and reach that game ball. Brown picked up some spectacular balls to the astonishment of the crowd. Waters must have thought she had won the point 2 or 3 times. Finally it ended with Waters hitting a tin as both players bent over and walked a few lengths of the court to gain their breath. The next rally was another long exchange and an unforced error by Waters had Brown up 2/1. The crowd were very much involved eager for the girls to get back on court in this highly entertaining match..
The fourth was pretty close at the start but Waters working boast and ability to hold the ball had Brown covering alot of ground. From 5/4 Waters pulled clear and closed it out setting up a grandstand finish for the sold out crowd. Waters came out strong in the 5th winning the first 6 points before Brown got on the scoreboard. Brown seemed a little flat and she didn't look like she had the spring in her step from the previous games.
Brown had definitely slowed down as Waters was relentless with her pressure. The 5th was easy by the scoreline but the match overall was a game of skill, strategy and attrition and Waters thoroughly deserved her victory. Brown can take alot away from this match as she fly’s out to compete in Malaysia and on this form Waters will be hard to beat in Toronto next week.
DRAW
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