Sobhy Over El Torky, Cornett Upsets Joey Chan in $25K Toronto Granite Club Open by Jessica DiMauro March 4, 2014 - Just when I thought things couldn't get more exciting than yesterday, the ladies all proved me wrong!
Although the crowd was
pretty thin for the first match and Deon Saffrey got off to slow start,
things really started to pick up quickly. Line Hansen won a hard-fought
second game in extra points and then an equally tough 11-9 third
game. (11-4, 13-11, 11-9)
Amanda Sobhy, the
newly crowned, 3-time NCAA champ, made quick work of Heba El Torky
(11-3, 11-4, 11-7). Heba may have been a bit slow from all of her
matches in Montreal, along with her physical battle against Maria
Monday night. But Amanda dominated the middle, volleyed everything and
made some amazing gets.
Sarah-Jane Perry
continued to help put the courts back on schedule with her 3 game win
over Misaki Kobayashi. Misaki, as always, was moving terrific,
but SJ had her all over the court with her great holds and great space.
It's nice to see our Granite Open reigning champ playing so well. 11-6,
11-2, 11-8.
The highlight of the
night for our Granite crowd, was home-club hero, Sam Cornett's, upset
win over Joey Chan. The match was a battle all the way through and
we're all so lucky and happy to have witnessed this win. Joey moves so
well and Sam had to be ultra-patient to find an opening. Thanks for a
great match girls. We all really enjoyed it. 11-3, 9-11, 9-11,
11-9, 11-4.
I personally had a ton
of fun watching Rachel Grinham play Aisling Blake. The last time
Rach played at the Granite, she was doing exhibitions at age 16 when
she stayed at my house for a month and caught her first snowflake on
her tongue. Bet she's sick of all that 'exciting' snow now!
Anyway, enough nostalgia....Rach got off to a quick start, winning the
first two games quite easily. But Aisling put up a huge fight in the
third and lost a tight 13-11 game. 11-5, 11-4, 13-11.
Sarah Kippax played an
amazing, consistent match, dominating the young Egyptian, Nouran Ahmed
Gohar. Sadly, not enough people got to see that match as we had to put
it on the second court to fit all the matches in tonight. But we are
certainly looking forward to watching Sarah play on Wednesday. Nouran
will take her first stab at hardball doubles when she jumps in with the
sponsors on Wednesday. 11-4, 11-9, 11-3.
Sadly, the Granite
Open saw it's third player withdraw due to injury, when Donna Urquhart
retired in her match against Tesni Evans. Donna has been
struggling with a pulled calf this week and couldn't make it through
the match, retiring when down 2-1. 11-8, 7-11, 11-7, retired.
Admittedly, I had to
race out before the last match finished to go play a league
match. Omneya Abdel Kawy was down 2-1 to Victoria Lust but pulled
it out 11-7 in the fifth game. I hear it was a loooooong, let-filled
match with lots of great shots by Omneya and some amazing gets by
Lusty! Don't have the detailed scores but will send them tomorrow.
Wednesday night starts
off with 6 of the ladies pairing up with our Title and Gold Sponsors to
play some hardball doubles! Both the sponsors and the ladies are
really looking forward to it.
The Quarter - Finals start at 5:45pm Wednesday March 5th!
LET'S GET A REALLY BIG CROWD FOR THESE LADIES!
We hope to have lots of support for Granite Pro Samantha Cornett as she takes on USA's Amanda Sobhy at 7:15pm!
For those who cannot make it out to the matches, we are excited to continue live streaming on UStream
http://m.ustream.tv/channel/wsa-granite-open
Plan to come out for
the Friday Finals at 6:30pm. All of those in attendance will be
entered in a raffle to win a pair of Raptor's Tickets valued at $400!
(Donated by Slaight Music).
Thank you to all of our sponsors, Title Sponsor: Slaight Music; Gold Sponsors: Matt
Akin, The Francis Family, Dave O'Connor & Sabrina Stables, Cushman
& Wakefield, Green for Life, Ironbridge, Quest Participating
Sponsors: Bell Kearns & Associates Ltd., Hans Brenninkmeyer, The
Duboc Family, The Dulmage Family, The Edmison Family, The Elder Family,
Faze Magazine, the Flynn Family, Cory Gill and Family, Grin
Orthodontics, Bill Morneau & Nancy McCain, Richardson GMP, The
Richmond Family Friends: Paul
Barnicke, Body Bijou, The Chadwick Family, Chairman Mills, The
Fitzpatrick Family, ROYNAT, Dylan & Penelope Zeitler
Thanks to all of the
people who have helped with airport pickups, housing players,
logistics, Paul Jamieson for our live-streaming, Jim Paton and Gary
Caron for all your support. The players for working so hard and
playing so great and for everyone for coming out to watch! We could not
be hosting this tournament without all of you.
