BritOpen Update: Comeback Queen Hansen Overcomes Arnold

#PSAWorldTour

Danish World No.26 Line Hansen secured her place in the second round of the 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament after a stunning comeback against Malaysia’s Delia Arnold – the woman who shocked the squash world when the reached the semi-final stage at last year’s event.

The 30-year-old downed a trio of seeded players, including current World No.3 Raneem El Welily, a year ago and looked set to make a winning start to this year’s instalment after she edged the first two games. However, a virtuoso response from Hansen saw her fight back with vigour to take three games without reply and claim a superb 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 win.

“This is the best I’ve ever done at the British Open and I’ve played here a fair few times,” said Hansen.

“Last time we played, I lost 12-10 in the fifth so I knew it was going to be close but I also knew I was in with a chance. I’m just glad I finally got a good win. To be honest, I got a little bit annoyed because I definitely thought I shouldn’t have lost the first.

“I was just thinking that I had to hit through the ball rather than try to be pretty and it worked.”

Arnold managed to sneak the opening two games after her top-class anticipation allowed her to cut off Hansen’s shots at the front of the court and she exhibited some fine drops into the nick.

Game three saw the momentum shift slightly with Hansen finding her length and her accurate drives saw her claw a game back.

Hansen’s improvement continued into the fourth as she levelled proceedings and a nervy finish went in Hansen’s way in the final game to ensure that the Dane will face World No.1 Laura Massaro next for the second time in her last three PSA World Tour events.

“We played [at the Windy City Open] in Chicago but I don’t think I gave her a good match so I’m looking forward to getting back on the glass and hopefully doing better than I did last time,” Hansen said of the impending encounter.

Result – First Round: Women’s Allam British Open 2016
Line Hansen (DEN) bt [14] Delia Arnold (MAS) 3-2: 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 (64m)

Watch live action from the Allam British Open on SQUASHTV*. It is also shown in Europe on Eurosport Player. Click here to find out more.

* Watch more outrageous action at the Allam British Open and beyond with a SQUASHTV subscription. SUBSCRIBE TODAY FROM $13.99 a month.