Australian Open SF: Lobban Downs Canberra Champ Waller

Scotland’s Greg Lobban downed No.2 seed Adrian Waller to reach the finals of the City Tattersalls Club Australian Open on Saturday afternoon at the University of Sydney.

The British pair did battle in the last four of the Challenger 30 level competition, and Waller was in good form, having claimed the title at the Jansher Khan Canberra Open last week.

In what was a very tight contest, it was the Scot who took the early lead. The World No.30 opened his account in the match with an 11-6 win in the first game, before a mammoth tie-break ensued in the second. Forty points were played, with Lobban eventually taking it 21-19. That helped him carry the momentum through to the third game, which he also won, to take a 3-0 victory, to book his spot in the final in Sydney.

The Scottish No.1 will now face Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez in the final of the Challenger 30 level event. The World No.13 overcame the challenge of the USA’s Andrew Douglas in straight games to book his spot, wining 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 in 44 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

Top seed Nele Gilis had to fight her way into the women’s final, getting back Japanese No.1 Satomi Watanabe in a four-game battle. The Belgian led by two games going into the third, but Watanabe fought back with a 14-12 win in the third. Gilis regrouped, taking a tight fourth game 11-9 to seal the victory.

She will now face the USA’s Sabrina Sobhy in the final on Sunday, after the World No.18 came through an all-American battle with Olivia Clyne. This was the sixth meeting between the two on Tour, with Clyne coming in with a 3-2 record. Sobhy was in complete control of this contest, though, winning in straight games in 32 minutes to secure her place in the final.

The City Tattersalls Club Australian Open will come to its conclusion at the University of Sydney on Sunday, October 30. All the action from both finals will be streamed live and free on the PSA Challenger Tour YouTube channel. You can also keep up to date with live scores from the event here.

Men’s Semi-Final Results: City Tattersalls Club Australian Open
[1] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt [6] Andrew Douglas (USA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (44m)
[3] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [2] Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 21-19, 11-9 (62m)

Men’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, October 30
[1] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) v [3] Greg Lobban (SCO)

Women’s Semi-Final Results: City Tattersalls Club Australian Open
[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [6] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 3-1: 11-3, 11-8, 12-14, 11-9 (59m)
[2] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt [3] Olivia Clyne (USA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-7 (32m)

Women’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, October 30
[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) v [2] Sabrina Sobhy (USA)