Women’s Kinetic Challenger RD1: Action Gets Underway In Florida

The Women’s Kinetic Orange Ball 30K Challenger got underway on Wednesday, with all eight of the higher-ranked players making it through to the second round.

One match went the distance, with Polish No.1 Karina Tyma overcoming the challenge of Singapore’s Au Yeong Wai Yhann. Tyma lost the opening game but fought back to win the next two to hold the advantage. The Singaporean battled to take the match to a decider, but the Polish No.1 was too strong in the end, winning the last 11-1 to advance to the last 16.

She is joined but fellow Europeans Millie Tomlinson and Ineta Mackevica in the second round. England’s Tomlinson defeated Colombia’s Laura Tovar in straight games and will now take on tops seed Farida Mohamed on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Latvian No.1 downed tournament wildcard Anna Shumway, also in straight games.

Elsewhere, the Egyptian trio of Salma Eltayeb, Malak Khafagy and Rana Ismail all made it through as well. Ismail downed Germany’s Katerina Tycova in a four-game contest, while Khafagy and Eltayeb both won in straight games.

Malaysia’s Ainaa Amani secured victory in just 18 minutes on the opening day, as her good form continued after securing a place at the PSA World Championships. Australian Jessica Turnbull was the other woman to make it through, after she got the better of Mexican Diana Garcia on Wednesday.

The second round of the Women’s Kinetic Orange Ball 30K Challenger will take place on Thursday, April 20. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Action from Florida is being streamed throughout the week on the PSA Challenger Tour YouTube channel, where you can watch Challenger Tour action, and interviews with rising stars. Live scores are available on the PSA World Tour website here.

First Round Results: Women’s Kinetic Orange Ball 30K Challenger
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt Laura Tovar (COL) 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (23m)
Ineta Mackevica (LAT) bt [WC] Anna Shumway (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (19m)
Salma Eltayeb (EGY) bt Wen Li Lai (MAS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (25m)
Malak Khafagy (EGY) bt [WC] Hannah Craig (IRL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-1 (26m)
Rana Ismail (EGY) bt Katerina Tycova (GER) 3-1: 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4 (38m)
Ainaa Amani (MAS) bt Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 3-0: 11-2, 11-7, 11-6 (18m)
Jessica Turnbull (AUS) bt Diana Garcia (MEX) 3-1: 11-8, 11-13, 11-4, 11-3 (38m)
Karina Tyma (POL) bt Au Yeong Wai Yhann (SGP) 3-2: 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 11-1 (46m)

Second Round Draw: To Be Played Thursday, April 20
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) v Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
Ineta Mackevica (LAT) v [8] Nicole Bunyan (CAN)
[6] Jana Shiha (EGY) v Salma Eltayeb (EGY)
Malak Khafagy (EGY) v [4] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
[3] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) v Rana Ismail (EGY)
Ainaa Amani (MAS) v [7] Hana Moataz (EGY)
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) v Jessica Turnbull (AUS)
Karina Tyma (POL) v [2] Emily Whitlock (WAL)