PSA de Normandie SF: Seeds Fall In Semi-Finals

Out of the four players expected to make the finals on seeding, three of those were defeated in the PSA de Normandie semi-finals on Saturday.

Both of the top two seeds in the women’s draw were knocked out in the last four. Welshwoman Lowri Roberts started slowly in her semi-final against top seed Caroline Lyng, but fought back after losing the opening game. She won the next three to advance to the final of the Challenger 3 level competition.

She will now take on Colombia’s Maria Tovar, who caused an upset for the second day in succession. She had defeated No.3 seed Ella Galova in the last eight, and got the better of another French player in the semis. Tovar went two games up against Lauren Baltayan, the No.2 seed, only to see the Frenchwoman fight back to level the match. In the end, Tovar won the fifth on a tie-break, 12-10, to book her place in the final.

Finnish No.1 Miko Aijanen downed No.2 seed Toufik Mekhalfi in the men’s semi-finals in a great five-game battle. The Finn won the opening on a tie-break 13-11, but then found himself behind after three games. He won the fourth 11-3, before then also taking the final game 11-8 to book his place in the final. 

He will take on reigning World Junior Champion, and the tournament’s top see, Rowan Damming. The Dutchman won his last four clash with the Czech Republic’s Ondrej Vorlicek in straight games.

The PSA de Normandie will come to its conclusion with the finals on Sunday, April 16. Action will be streamed on their Facebook page. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Men’s Semi-Final Results: PSA de Normandie
[1] Rowan Damming (NED) bt [3] Ondrej Vorlicek (CZE) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-2 (34m)
[4] Miko Aijanen (FIN) bt [2] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) 3-2: 13-11, 9-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8 (77m)

Men’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, April 16
[1] Rowan Damming (NED) v [4] Miko Aijanen (FIN)

Women’s Semi-Final Results: PSA de Normandie
[4] Lowri Roberts (WAL) bt [1] Caroline Lyng (DEN) 3-1: 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-8 (27m)
Maria Tovar (COL) bt [2] Lauren Baltayan (FRA) 3-2: 11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 11-13, 12-10 (61m)

Women’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, April 16
[4] Lowri Roberts (WAL) v Maria Tovar (COL)