Women’s Kinetic Challenger: Top Four Seeds Into Semis

The top four seeds are all through to the semi-finals of the Women’s Kinetic Orange Ball 30K Challenger in Florida.

The only match that went to five in the quarters of the Challenger 30 level competition was between Satomi Watanabe and Hana Moataz. The Japanese No.1, and No.3 seed for the event, took a quick two game lead thanks to winning both the opening two games 11-4. 

Watanabe then had a single match ball in the third game, but was unable to close it out. Moataz won it on a tie-break 12-10, before then also winning the fourth game as well. The match went to a decider, and Watanabe regrouped, dropping just three points in it to take the victory and to move through to the last four.

She will now take on Wales’ Emily Whitlock in the semi-finals. The Welshwoman, the No.2 seed for the event, got the better of Australian Jessica Turnbull in straight games, winning 11-6, 11-7, 11-3 to move into the semis.

Top seed Farida Mohamed was in fine form to dispatch Canadian Nicole Bunyan. The Egyptian was on court for only 22 minutes in her quarter final contest. She took an 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 victory to advance to the final, where she will face Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam.

The Malaysian overcame Egyptian opposition in the last eight, in the form of Jana Shiha. The No.6 seed levelled the match at 1-1 after winning the second game, but a crucial tie-break with Subramaniam’s way in the third. She took it 12-10, before cruising to the fourth game 11-3.

The semi-finals of the Women’s Kinetic Orange Ball 30K Challenger will take place on Saturday, April 22. 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.

Quarter Final Results: Women’s Kinetic Orange Ball 30K Challenger
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt [8] Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (22m)
[4] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt [6] Jana Shiha (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3 (36m)
[3] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt [7] Hana Moataz (EGY) 3-2: 11-4, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 11-3 (58m)
[2] Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Jessica Turnbull (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-3 (31m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, April 22
[1] Farida Mohamed (EGY) v [4] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
[3] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) v [2] Emily Whitlock (WAL)