Malik Makes SLC Quarterfinals
May 14 2004 by Craig Bennett, SquashWorks
SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2004
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Welsh champion Tegwen Malik secured a welcome place in the quarter-finals of the Women's Squashworks Open when she scored a mild upset over eighth-seeded Malaysian Sharon Wee 9-6 9-3 9-2 in the first round of the WISPA World Tour event in Salt Lake City, USA. Malik set the tone for this match by prevailing in a very tight first game; down 5-6, she rallied to win 9-6. Riding the momentum of the first game ending, Malik forged a 5-3 leading in the second then ended the game on four consective rallies. The third game had a lot of Hand-outs but Wee could never take advantage of her serve. It wasn’t until she was down 0-8 in the third that she was able to score a few points.

Malik, 29, from Swansea, now faces fellow Briton Stephanie Brind, the fourth seed from England who dismissed Canadian qualifier Katie Patrick 9-1 9-6 9-4 in 25 minutes. Brind used her experience and steady play to take the first game easily from the jittery Patrick. After falling behind 0-4 in the second, Patrick composed her game and closed to within 8-6 only to lose 9-6. Patrick used the positives of her play in the second to race to a 4-0 lead in the third only to lose 9-4.

Lauren Briggs reaches for Latasha's lob, photo © 2004 SquashWorks

Latasha Khan, the sole American representative, looked fit and strong in scoring a decisive straight game win over English qualifier Lauren Briggs. Khan, the current U.S. National Champion, started slowing against Briggs and fell behind 0-6 in game one; however, once she reclaimed the serve she didn’t lose a rally and finished off the game 9-6. The second game was tight all the way with neither player getting more than a two point lead. Briggs had two game balls at 8-6, and another game ball at 9-8, yet was unable to finish. Khan claimed the second game with a demoralizing victory 10-9. Briggs could not recover Khan took advantage and closed the match 9-2 in the third. Khan now turns her attention toward the #1 seed Geaves to whom she lost last week in the semi finals of the Hyder in New York.

Second seed Omneya Abdel Kawy was made to work hard for her place in the last eight. In the most competitive match of the evening, the Egyptian cruised to victory in the first game against unseeded Tamsyn Leevey, only to see the New Zealander win a tough second game. Leevey's comeback seemed to rattle the 18-year-old from Cairo. Leevey pressed her advantage in the third game to win easily and go 2/1 ahead.

Despite her young age, Kawy showed veteran poise as she steadied herself and used her impressive racquet skills to retake control of the match and win the final two games to record a 9-1 5-9 4-9 9-4 9-4 victory in 50 minutes.

Shelley Kitchen looked very strong against Alison Waters, photo © 2004 SquashWorks

Kawy will meet England's sixth seed Tania Bailey, who beat Australian qualifier Melissa Martin. Bailey has been struggling recently with poor health, but despite falling behind 0-5, the 24-year-old former world No4 turned the first game and the match with her consistent and accurate length coupled with attacking volleys and excellent court coverage - taking just 26 minutes to win 9-7 9-4 9-2.

First seed Fiona Geaves beat Italy's Manetta, who had knocked out American veteran Shabana Khan in the qualifier. Geaves showed her experience and polished offensive skills against Manetta. Geaves won the first two games easily as she kept Manetta off-balance and in the backcourt. Manetta started quickly in the third game by taking the ball earlier and hitting volley drops. She took a 4-0 lead, and then 6-4; however, Geaves’ steadiness and superior offensive skills were too much to overcome.

Shelley Kitchen, who defeated Geaves in last week's Hyder Trophy finals, opened with another strong win. Kitchen, who came to Salt Lake fresh off her victory in New York, used the advantage of the high-altitude ball speed to overpower Alison. The hard-hitting Kitchen was clearly more comfortable with the speed of the ball and the court. Kitchen kept Waters on her heels and in the backcourt. Each game had a similar pattern where Waters stayed close in the early points, but as the game progressed Kitchen was able to put together devasting streaks: she won six straight rallies in game one; seven straight in game two; and eight straight in game three.

Emerging Egyptian hopeful, Engy Kheirallah, ran into a buzz-saw in the face of England's Jenny Tranfield. This is the third straight visit to Salt Lake City for Tranfield. In 2002, Tranfield reached the semis where she lost a very competive match with Sarah Fitz-Gerald. In 2003, Tranfield came to Salt Lake only to spend the week in bed at her billet’s house. This year Tranfield seems poised to recapture the results of 2002. She never trailed in any game during her match with Kheirallah. Tranfield’s trademark tenacity and mental toughness were too much for the Egyptian. Tranfield will now need every bit of those characteristics as she battles Kitchen in the second round. Like Khan and Geaves, Tranfield and Kitchen also played in the semi-finals of the Hyder last week in New York City.

RESULTS: Women's Squashworks Open, Salt Lake City, USA

1st round:
[1] Fiona Geaves (ENG) bt [Q] Manuela Manetta (ITA) 9-0, 9-1, 9-6 (23m)
[7] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [Q] Lauren Briggs (ENG) 9-6, 10-9, 9-2 (34m)
[3] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt Alison Waters (ENG) 9-3, 9-1, 9-0 (25m)
[5] Jenny Tranfield (ENG) bt Engy Kheirallah (EGY) 9-3, 9-2, 9-2 (35m)
Tegwen Malik (WAL) bt [8] Sharon Wee (MAS) 9-6, 9-3, 9-2 (30m)
[4] Stephanie Brind (ENG) bt [Q] Katie Patrick (CAN) 9-1, 9-6, 9-4 (25m)
[6] Tania Bailey (ENG) bt [Q] Melissa Martin (AUS) 9-7, 9-4, 9-2 (26m)
[2] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt Tamsyn Leevey (NZL) 9-1, 5-9, 4-9, 9-4, 9-4 (50m)

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