Qscan Sandgate Open QF: Seeds Fall On Surprising Second Day

It was a day of shock results at the Qscan Sandgate Open, with three of the top four seeds being knocked out of the Challenger 10 level competition, leaving only top seed Jessica Turnbull from that bracket to advance to the semi-finals.

Malaysia’s Sehveetrraa Kumar took on Australia’s Tamika Hunt in the last quarter final of the day’s play at Sandgate Squash Club, and after finding herself two games down pretty quickly, she turned the match around. The young Malaysian took the third 11-4, before then also taking a tight fourth game to send the match into a fifth. Kumar eventually took the win, 13-11 in the deciding game, to advance to the last four.

She will now face compatriot Aira Azman in an all-Malaysian semi-final on Sunday evening in Deagon, after Azman got the better of another home favourite, No.3 seed Sarah Cardwell. The Malaysian dropped the first game, but fought back to take the next three to win in just 31 minutes, booking her spot in the last four.

Japanese No.1 Satomi Watanabe was another to cause a seeding upset, as she overcame Malaysia’s Yee Xin Yang, the tournament’s No.4 seed. Watanabe, who qualified for the PSA World Championships following her win in Birmingham, won in straight games against the Malaysian to advance to the semi-finals. She will face Australia’s Jessica Turnbull, the top seed, after she defeated Malaysia’s Ainaa Amani.

The semis of the Qscan Sandgate Open will take place at Sandgate Squash Club on Sunday, May 8, with the winners moving through to the final of the Challenger 10 level competition.

Quarter Final Results: Qscan Sandgate Open
[1] Jessica Turnbull (AUS) bt [5] Ainaa Amani (MAS) 3-1: 12-10, 11-1, 6-11, 11-9 (36m)
[7] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt [4] Yee Xin Ying (MAS) 3-0: 12-10, 11-5, 11-4 (22m)
[6] Aira Azman (MAS) bt [3] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 3-1: 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (31m)
[8] Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS) bt [2] Tamika Hunt (AUS) 3-2: 4-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9, 13-11 (49m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, May 8
[1] Jessica Turnbull (AUS) v [7] Satomi Watanabe (JPN)
[6] Aira Azman (MAS) v [8] Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS)