GWC Squash House SF: Tovar Causes Upset To Meet Stefanoni

The GWC Squash House Challenger final is set, with Colombia’s Laura Tovar causing a second straight upset to set up a meeting with home favourite Marina Stefanoni on Monday evening in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Tovar came into the tournament as the No.7 seed, and caused a surprise in the quarter finals when she defeated last week’s Nash Cup victor Zeina Zein, the young Egyptian starlet.

After beating the 17-year-old in a four-game battle, she set up a clash with England’s Torrie Malik, the tournament’s No.2 seed, in the last four. Tovar continued her great form, and dropped just 14 points across the entire match to win 11-6, 11-4, 11-4.

She will now face top seed and home favourite Marina Stefanoni in the final on Monday, after the American came through in straight games against India’s Akanksha Salunkhe. A tight first game went the way of the American on a tie-break, and from there she remained in control to win 12-10, 11-2, 11-9, and advance to the final.

The final of the GWC Squash House Challenger, which will see home favourite Marina Stefanoni and Colombia’s Laura Tovar go head-to-head for the title, will take place on Monday, September 26.

Semi-Final Results: GWC Squash House Challenger
[1] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt [3] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) 3-0: 12-10, 11-2, 11-9
[7] Laura Tovar (COL) bt [2] Torrie Malik (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-4

Final Draw: To Be Played Monday, September 26
[1] Marina Stefanoni (USA) v [7] Laura Tovar (COL)