CSC Delaware Open QF: Unseeded Watts Makes Last Four

New Zealand’s Kaitlyn Watts is into the semi-finals of the CSC Delaware Open, after beating former World No.5 Low Wee Wern in the last eight.

Watts made her way into the quarters after getting the better of Egypt’s No.4 seed Rana Ismail in straight games, while the Malaysian downed Polish No.1 Karina Tyma to make it through to the last eight.

Those results guaranteed an unseeded player in the semi-finals, and Watts was the one to take that spot. A close first game went the way of the Kiwi 11-7, and from there, she was in complete control. The World No.77 dropped just eight points over the next two games to secure a straight games victory.

Watts will now take on the tournament’s top seed, Ka Yi Lee, in the semis on Saturday. The Hongkonger also overcame a Malaysian, in No.6 seed Chan Yiwen, in straight games. Lee took a very tight 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 win in just 21 minutes to make the last four. 

The pair have only met once in the past, with Watts getting the better of this week’s top seed on that occasion. That 3-1 win for the Kiwi came at the Pacific Toyota Cairns Squash International back in 2017, and Lee will be looking to avenge that defeat in the last four.

The other semi-final at the Vicmead Hunt Club on Saturday evening will see the Egypt’s Kenzy Ayman and Malaysia’s Xin Ying Yee go head-to-head. The Egyptian, who is the No.2 seed, got the better of India’s Akanksha Salunkhe in straight games, while Yee had to got the distance in her quarter final. She survived a comeback from compatriot Wen Li Lai, eventually winning 11-6 in the fifth game.

The semis of the CSC Delaware Open will take place on Saturday, February 25 at the Vicmead Hunt Club in Wilmington, DE, United States. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook.  Live scores are available on the PSA World Tour website here.

Quarter Final Results: CSC Delaware Open
[1] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt [6] Chan Yiwen (MAS) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (21m)
Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) bt Low Wee Wern (MAS) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-6 (30m)
[8] Xin Ying Yee (MAS) bt Wen Li Lai (MAS) 3-2: 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 10-12, 11-6 (48m)
[2] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt [5] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (26m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, February 25
[1] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) v Kaitlyn Watts (NZL)
[8] Xin Ying Yee (MAS) v [2] Kenzy Ayman (EGY)