Tricia Chuah got by Tara Mullins in four tight games (photo © 2006 Carlisle Stockton)

WISPA Class of '32 Tournament at Vassar Starts
Twenty-two of the top 50 professional Women's Squash players in the world have assembled at Vassar College to compete over the next six days for the WISPA Class of 1932 Tournament title.  The Women's International Squash Players Association (WISPA) is staging the tournament for the 6th time at Vassar.

Today, in the qualifying rounds everything went according to form but that didn't mean there wasn't plenty of hardcore action. A late withdrawal meant that Sarah Kippax had a bye but there were six other matches for the crowd to enjoy.

LAUREN BRIGGS (ENG) defeated RUCHIKA KUMAR (CAN) 3-0. 9-3, 9-2, 9-3.
Top qualifying section seed Lauren Briggs had to play some good strokes to earn this win. She was up against a feisty Ruchika Kumar, the former Canadian junior champion, appearing in her first ever WISPA tournament, The 21 year old from Toronto gave a good account of herself but was unable to really pressure Briggs. Briggs commanded the center of the court and cut shots off forcing the play and emerged with a good win.

CHRISTINA MAK (HKG) defeated AMANDA SIEBERT (USA) 3-0. 9-0, 9-4, 9-6.
Christina Mak got off to a quick start and was not troubled in the first two games. Siebert staged a comeback and led 6-1 in the third but that just seemed to jolt Mak back into top gear. She ran off 8 consecutive points to take this game and end Siebert's efforts.

SUZIE PIERREPONT (ENG) defeated NADIA JIHAD (USA) 3-0. 9-0, 9-0, 9-0.
Nadia Jihad was a last minute replacement and essentially gave Suzie Pierrepont a workout. The Englishwoman was not stretched and won convincingly without dropping a point.

Manuela Manetta, in control against Trinity's Askley Clackson. (photo © 2006 Carlisle Stockton)

MANUELA MANETTA (ITA) defeated ASHLEY CLACKSON (CAN) 3-0. 9-1, 9-0, 9-3.
The Italian player was always in control of this match and able to keep the ball deep. Her opponent, Ashley Clackson, did work hard but was always having to stretch to stay in the rallies.

SARAH KIPPAX (ENG) - BYE                                               

TRICIA CHUAH (MALAYSIA) defeated TARA MULLINS (CAN) 3-0. 9-7, 10-9, 9-6.
This was certainly the match of the day. Had the second game gone to Mullins it might well have been a dogfight. But in the end Tricia Chuah combined some good strokes and a killer instinct to take the match.

KATIE PATRICK (CAN) defeated ILEANA NOVELO (MEX) 3-0. 9-0, 9-4, 9-0.
As expected the Canadian Katie Patrick mixed her game up to good effect and never lost the initiative against the less experienced Novelo. The week will get harder but it was a good start for Patrick.

RUNA RETA (CAN) defeated WILMA KIRSTEN (ITA) 3-0. 9-1, 9-0, 9-0.
Wilma Kirsten has only been on the tour 3 years and the 36 years old mother of two played a very spirited match. The scoreline did not reflect the competitiveness of the match even if the result was not likely to be much different.

WISPA Tournament Schedule at Vassar's Kenyon Hall
Sunday   04/09/06        2.00-4.30 pm Qualifying Round
Monday     04/10/06        12.00-6.00 pm Round of 16
Tuesday        04/11/06        3.00-6.00 pm Quarterfinals
Wednesday     04/12/06        5.00-7.00 pm Semifinals
Thursday 04/13/06        6.00 pm Final