Craig Creates Home Title Breakthrough In Christchurch by Howard Harding
The Christchurch region from the International Space Station
June 14, 2015
- It was a 'lucky 13' win for Kiwi Megan Craig in today's final of the
Women's Squashways Canterbury International Open in Christchurch when
the 22-year-old from Blenheim won the ninth WSA World Tour title of her
career - but her first on home soil.
Craig, the second seed ranked 49 in the world, reached her 13th Tour
final after ending the brave run of compatriot Eleanor Epke in the
semi-finals of the WSA Challenger 5 squash event at Burnside Squash
Club.
Unseeded Epke, a 17-year-old from Parnell who hails from England, upset
two considerably higher-ranked seeds to make the last four round
against expectations.
Craig's opponent in the final was Siyoli Waters, the top seed from
South Africa who cruised through to her 20th Tour final without
dropping a game - seeing off third-seeded German Sina Wall in the other
semi.
Waters, ranked 32 in the world, started off impressively - forcing
Craig all around the court before taking the opening game for the loss
of just four points.
However, from 2-7 down in the second, the Kiwi underdog clawed her way back into the match to take the second to draw level.
After the next two games were shared, the decider was close all the way
until 7-8 when Waters hit a low shot that Craig was adamant had hit the
top of the tin. Despite the referees disagreeing, Waters called her own
ball down and drew a generous round of applause from the crowd.
Craig then took the next three points to secure a well-earned 4-11, 12-10, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8 victory after 50 minutes.
"I am delighted to win a WSA tournament at home," exclaimed Craig after
her breakthrough home title triumph. "And thank you Siyoli for your
tremendous display of sportsmanship in the final game."
RESULTS: Women's Squashways Canterbury International Open, Christchurch, New Zealand
