Mexico's Nayelly Hernandez thwarts Princeton's Kumar in Five

 

Laura Hill advanced in qualifying play today. photo:©Stockton Photo Inc.

WISPA Class of '32 Tournament Starts
Vassar College this week hosts for the seventh time, the 2007 Women's International Squash Players Association (WISPA) Class of 1932 Tournament, named in honor of the Vassar graduating class of the mother of tournament benefactor Al Gordon.

The event got underway today at Kenyon Hall on the Vassar campus starting with the qualifying rounds.A host of the top 50 professional players in the world will showcase their skills this week and the event will climax with the final on Saturday October 7th, 2007 at 6.00 p.m.

Sixteen players started today with the hope of advancing to the main draw where there are 4 berths and the top seeds await them. Only eight still harbor that dream and if today's action is anything to go by then this will be a crackerjack tournament.There are 13 countries represented and some intriguing match-ups are in store this week, so how did things unfold? Well, for starters an Australian defeated a Canadian, an Irishwoman defeated an American, an Englishwoman defeated an Argentinean, and a Dutchwoman defeated a New Zealander. The overall play was of the highest standard and typical of previous years at Vassar and it included a wonderful early upset.

The unseeded Nayelly Hernandez of Mexico defeated the number 8 qualifier seed from Canada, Nehu Kumar in a 5-set thriller.Playing a best of five, the first two sets were split and in the third it was nip and tuck the whole way. Some exquisite rallies had the crowd on the edge of their seats and Kumar edged out the Mexican with some very aggressive shots 9-7. But Hernandez must have felt it was her day as the fourth set was deadlocked for a long while but when she got ahead she kept her shots very deep and won 9-4 to tie the match up. So at 2-2 it went to the deciding set and it proved to be spectacular. Neither player opened up a significant lead and it went to 8-7 in favor of Hernandez. But before the end Kumar showed her class saving two match points before she eventually fell.

Amelia Pittock (AUS) defeated Genevieve Lessard (CAN) 9-0, 9-1, 9-0.

Orla Noom stopped Trinity alum Larissa Stephenson. photo:©Stockton Photo Inc.

Amelia Pittock never allowed Lessard to settle in this match. She constantly controlled both the tempo and the "T" winning convincingly.

Nayelly Hernandez (MEX) defeated Neha Kumar (CAN) 3-9, 9-5, 7-9, 9-4, 9-7.
An outstanding effort from the unseeded Hernandez sees her advance to the next round and a match-up with Pittock.

Margaret Huisman (NED) defeated Stephanie Edmison (CAN) 9-3, 9-4, 9-2.
There were no easy points in this match as Edmison put up a strong fight. In the end greater consistency and fewer unforced errors were the difference.

Tara Mullins (CAN) defeated Ileana Novelo (MEX) 9-0, 9-3, 9-5.
This was a banner day for Tara Mullins as she deservedly advanced to the second round for the first time. She varied her game to keep Novelo off balance and ran out a solid winner.

Laura Hill (ENG) defeated Victoria Chishimba (ZAM) 9-4, 9-0, 9-0.
England's Laura Hill started slowly and did not impress in the early rallies but once she hit her stride there was no chance for Chishimba. This was an emphatic win that will give her plenty of confidence heading into day 2.

Orla Noom (NED) defeated Larissa Stephenson (NZL) 9-1, 9-6, 9-1.
Noom quickly established position and took her shots early. Particularly impressive was her volleying as she dominated this contest from start to finish.

Princetonians go down to Amelia Pittock (r) and Nayelly Hernandez (l). photo:©Stockton Photo Inc.

Lauren Siddall (ENG) defeated Fernanda Rocha (ARG) 9-3, 9-2, 9-0.
In a match that was fast paced Siddall was very effective introducing some deft volley drop shots to control the contest.

Aisling Blake (IRL) defeated Shona Kerr (USA) 9-0, 9-1, 9-3.
Despite the score line this was a well-balanced match but two many unforced errors from Kerr cost her at critical times.

Qualifying play concludes tomorrow in Poughkeepsie, NY as follows:

Tuesday October 2, 2007:
Amelia Pittock (AUS) v Nayelly Hernandez (MEX)- 4:30pm
Margaret Huisman (NED) v Tara Mullins (CAN)- 5:15pm
Laura Hill (ENG) v Orla Noom (NED)- 6:00pm
Lauren Siddall (ENG) v Aisling Blake (IRL)-6:45pm

 

Margriet Huisman beats Canada's Edmison. photo:©Stockton Photo Inc.