Cornett Beats Norman, Van Der Heijden Over Cortes To Set WSA Montreal Final
by Yvon Provencal
February 28, 2013
Sam Cornett def Alexandra Norman 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-9)
This was the most anticipated match of the tournament between the top 2 Canadian players seeded 1 and 3. Sam always a crowd favorite and Alex the local star.
Sam took a quick lead after a few errors from Alex. She was able to stay ahead in the score and even though Alex started to impose her game on the backhand wall, Sam’s athleticism helped her close out the game. It was a little bit more of the same in the second with Sam often answering Alex’s long winning rallies with short intense ones. Alex came out with more energy in the third and started to close the court way more to wait for loose balls. This produced the best rallies of the tournament with both players having run to all four corners. Both players had also cut down on errors and were neck and neck until 9-9. At that point, Sam’s grit was able to push Alex in hitting a few too many loose balls. Sam game has improved a lot since last year (she is the 2012 champ) and will be difficult to beat tomorrow.
Milou Van Der Heijden def Cecilia Cortes 3-0 (13-11, 13-11, 11-9)
Milou hadn’t been pushed yet in this tournament and started the match playing safe squash moving the ball around the court. Cecilia tried to impose the quick pace she likes but Milou did not buy into it and kept mixing up floating drives and crisp lengths. Always behind in the score, Cecilia caught up at 9-9. But after a costly unforced error and a stunning drop winner from Milou at game ball, the second seed pocketed the first tight game.
I would have thought that Cecilia’s long match in the first round would have affected her but it was Milou who showed signs of fatigue in the 2nd. Cecilia could not get a significant lead and both were again tied at 9-9, the next 4 points were won on unforced errors until both players hit two winning drops. One tight ball down the right followed by a controversial no let gave the 2nd to Milou in extra points.
At 3-3 in the third, there was long break in the action as Milou took a racquet on the nose. The bleeding from the cut needed to be stopped before play could resume. A few minutes later and they were again tied at 9. This time Milou hit two perfect dying lengths to earn a place in the final.
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