Maria Toor Pakay Wins Arizona WSA Open For Second Tour Title
by Kim Clearkin
September 23, 2012 - Rising star Maria Toor Pakey wins the Southwest Open sponsored by Power Toyota , Tempe.
After a week of upsets #4 seed wins her second tour title by defeating reigning champion and 2 time finalist Latasha Khan.
After a bruising semi finals Maria's fleeted footwork and fast hands got the better of her older more experienced opponent
In trying to keep the ball away from her opponent Latasha made more mistakes than Maria allowing her younger opponent to take the first 11-6.
Latasha settled down in the second game, less mistakes, tighter drives, better racquet control to force a tiebreak but nit quite enough to stop Maria from taking the second.
In the 3rdLatasha came out guns blazing and took the 3rd game in style 11-4.
Unfortunately for Latasha this was not enough to extend to a 5th but did fight back narrowly losing 11-9 and the match
For the 3rd year a new champion was crowned.
This is the second WSA title for Toor Pakay, who currently lives and trains in Toronto. She won the $7K Liberty Bell Open in Philadelphia in January.
Final Result:
Maria bt Latasha 11-6, 13-11, 4-11, 11-9 (59 mins)
Semifinals:
Latasha vs Amanda
Latashe once again showed amazing consistency and accuracy in this match. Amanda hung on in there and fought hard in every game but couldn't stay with the pace long enough to take a game. Latasha wins 3-0 and proceeds to the final for the third year in a row.
Maria vs Lauren
With two very different playing styles this was always going to be an intriguing match, difficult to call. The pattern of the match was soon set with a Let being called in the first couple of points. The match then started to deteriorate - it became extremely physical and laden with let calls. Shots were not being cleared and contact was frequent. The first two games had an unprecedented 41 let calls, and thats not including the strokes and no lets. A very disjointed and antagonistic couple of games, both edged out by Maria. The third and final game was also won by Maria as Lauren kept her distance. A disappointing end to a match that should have had everyone on the edge of their seats for the quality of squash but in the end it will be known for its physicality rather than finesse.
Latasha bt Amanda 11-7, 11-9,-11-7 (40 mins)
Maria bt Lauren 14-12, 17-15, 11-4 (57 mins)
Quarters:
Latasha vs Nicolette
In a repeat of last years final, Both girls came out hitting hard and fast making errors along the way. latasha however settled down and finished the first game with a set of outright winners. 1-0 Latasha. In the second game, the pattern of the match emerged. Nicollette made some amazing retrievals to counteract Latashas consistent And relentless rallies. Second game to latasha.
In the third game Nicollette just couldn't put away her chances, she retrieved and ran but in the end Latasha could put the ball away and made fewer mistakes. A hard fought match but Latasha always had the edge. Latasha came away a 3-0 winner.
Amanda vs Orla
Amanda got off to a flying start leaving Orla to catch up in the first game. This match was about who could play the most winners.Both girls attacked at every opportunity but it was Amanda that took her opportunities.Despite a second game rally by Orla to square the match at 1-1 it was Amanda that came out victorious taking the match 3-1.
Celia vs Maria
Maria came put all guns blazing. In a high energy, high intensity match, Celia was always on the Blackfoot wondering what was coming next off Marias racket. Maria quickly took the lead and Celia dug in to see if she could stem the tide of points. The second game was closer but Maria came out on top. The third game had some hotly contested points but Maria's pace proved too much and she won the match 3-0,
Lauren vs Thaisa
In a match at a very different pace from the previous one we found two players producing controlled and constructed rallies. very few unforced errors in this match with Laura using height and width to her advantage. always in control, Lauren often dominated the long points but Thaisa hung in. The match ended with 2 long rallies, producing lets, with LAuren finally putting the ball away to win the match 3-0.
Latasha bt Nicolette 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (41 mins)
Amanda bt Orla 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8 (40 mins)
Maria bt Celia 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 (28 mins)
Lauren bt Thaisa 11-5, 12-10, 11-9 (30 mins)
DRAW
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