Lee Ka Yi Is PSA Women’s Player Of The Month

Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yi has picked up the PSA Women’s Player Of The Month Award for July after a surprise victory at the Contrex Challenge Cup saw her delight the local crowd to collect her first ever PSA World Tour title.

In front of a partisan crowd Ka Yi was forced to work hard against first Korean Hwayeong Eum and then compatriot Carmen Lee as she booked a place in the semi-finals against tournament top seed and favourite Latasha Khan of America.

Showing no signs of tension Ka Yi belied her seeding and stormed into a two game advantage over the experience American, taking the opening two games for the loss of just 2 and 4 points, respectively, but Khan showed her class as she dug deep to mount a comeback and levelled the match at 2-2.

The deciding game was nervy but it was the home player who showed the most resilience, prevailing 11-9 to book her place in her first ever PSA World Tour final – where she saw off the challenge of compatriot Ho Tze-Lok 3-1 to claim a maiden tour title.

“I am extremely happy and excited to win my first title,” said Ka Yi after her triumph.

“I was playing better and being more patient than I expected, although it is always hard to play against a teammate since we know each other very well.”