Sarah Kippax upsets Tricia Chuah to reach the main draw. (photo © 2006 Carlisle Stockton)

WISPA Class of '32 Tournament at Vassar Heats Up
Day two at Vassar in the WISPA Tournament, and this is when the rubber hits the road. The winners are assured prize money and the losers go home! So it was no surprise that the intensity level was up considerably as the second qualifying round took place. It may have been sunshine outside for all but in Kenyon Hall only four players were smiling come 6.00 p.m.

Sarah Kippax (ENG) defeated Tricia Chuah (Malaysia) 3-0.        9-6, 9-4, 9-1.
The first upset of the tournament occurred today when #5 seed Sarah Kippax from England defeated #4 Tricia Chuah from Malaysia. It looked like being a close encounter in the opening game when Chuah clawed back to 6-7 from a 7-3 deficit. However, Kippax played with more consistency to take the match 3-0. Kippax now faces fellow countrywoman, Laura Lengthorn in the main round at 3:30pm on Monday.

Lauren Briggs (ENG) defeated Christina Mak (HK) 3-0.  9-0, 9-5, 9-7.
The other matches went to plan with top seed Lauren Briggs from England dispatching Hong Kong's Christina Mak 3-0, although Mak made a spirited come back in the third game before going down 9-7. Briggs faces returning champion, Natalie Grainger (USA) at 5:45pm on Monday in the main draw.

Runa Reta (CAN) defeated Katie Patrick (CAN) 3-0.  9-3, 9-3, 9-4.

Runa Reta wins today. (photo © 2006 Carlisle Stockton)

The Canadians left in the qualifier faced off against each other, and being long time rivals it was never going to be pretty.  Runa Reta had to work hard for every point and she maintained control of the match by virtue of less unforced errors.

Suzie Pierrepont (ENG) defeated Manuela Manetta (ITA) 3-0.  9-4, 9-1, 9-5.
On paper the Pierrepont versus Manetta match was too close to call. Both had had good starts and were in confident mood. In a physical match, that would have had the WWF crowds whooping and hollering, it was England’s Suzie Pierrepont that took the first game 9-4. In the second game it appeared that Manetta was still rattled and she fell further behind after going down 9-1. But Pierrepont hasn't been one to close out matches like this, and there have been quite a few 2-love leads that have slipped from her grasp. In game 3 the rallies were tense and volatile with neither player really comfortable. It was fun to watch, if not too pretty at times. In the end Suzie Pierrepont prevailed and reached the last 16.

[COMPLETE MAIN DRAW]

Play continues on Monday as the last 16 vie for quarterfinal berths.
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