St James Classic RD2: Eltayeb, Mead and Yee Knock Out Seeds

Malaysia’s Xin Ying Yee, Englishwoman Alicia Mead and Egypt’s Salma Eltayeb all knocked out seeds to reach the last eight of the St James Women’s 20K Classic presented by Expression Networks on Wednesday evening.

The young Egyptian put together an incredible performance in her last 16 contest, as she dropped just ten points against Canada’s Danielle Letourneau. The No.5 seed is continuing her return from injury but Eltayeb was too good in an 11-2, 11-5, 11-3 victory.

England’s Mead got the better of Latvian No.1 and the tournament’s No.7 seed, Ineta Mackevica. The Latvian won the opening game 11-6, but after Mead levelled the contest by taking the second on a tie-break, she had complete control. The Englishwoman won the third and fourth comfortably to move through to the last eight in Springfield.

Malaysia’s Xin Ying Yee caused her second upset the hard way, as she came from two games down to defeat England’s Lucy Beecroft. The Englishwoman, who made the final in Calgary last week, took the opening two games by an 11-7 scoreline. However, Yee fought back, winning the third 11-8, before then taking both the fourth and deciding fifth games with ease to book her spot in the quarters.

She will now take on top seed Farida Mohamed, after the World No.17 had to fight past home favourite Marina Stefanoni. The Egyptian led by two games, but the American fought back to level the match, including saving match balls in the fourth. Mohamed was able to regroup, though, and she claimed the fifth game 11-7 to advance to the last eight.

She is joined in the quarter final by compatriots Nada Abbas and Jana Shiha, Hong Kong’s Chan Sin Yuk and England’s Katie Malliff, with the four all coming through their second round matches safely.

The quarter finals of the St James Women’s 20K Classic presented by Expression Networks will take place on Thursday, March 16. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Action from Springfield is being streamed throughout the week on the St James website. Live scores are available on the PSA World Tour website here.

Second Round Results: St James Women’s 20K Classic presented by Expression Networks
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt Marina Stefanoni (USA) 3-2: 11-7, 13-11, 8-11, 12-14, 11-7 (60m)
Xin Ying Yee (MAS) bt [6] Lucy Beecroft (ENG) 3-2: 7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-3 (57m)
Alicia Mead (ENG) bt [7] Ineta Mackevica (LAT) 3-1: 6-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-4 (36m)
[3] Jana Shiha (EGY) bt Nardine Garas (EGY) 3-1: 12-14, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (38m)
[4] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) bt Chan Yiwen (MAS) 3-0: 11-9, 12-10, 12-10 (25m)
Salma Eltayeb (EGY) bt [5] Danielle Letourneau (CAN) 3-0: 11-2, 11-5, 11-3 (13m)
[8] Katie Malliff (ENG) bt [WC] Maria Moya (ECU) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 (21m)
[2] Nada Abbas (EGY) bt Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) 3-1: 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6 (34m)

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, March 16
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) v Xin Ying Yee (MAS)
Alicia Mead (ENG) v [3] Jana Shiha (EGY)
[4] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) v Salma Eltayeb (EGY)
[8] Katie Malliff (ENG) v [2] Nada Abbas (EGY)