Weekend Round-Up: Azman & Hedrick Take Titles in Australia

Malaysia’s Aifa Azman continued her amazing run of form to win a second title in as many weeks, while Aussie Rex Hedrick won the men’s title at the Melbourne Open on home soil.

Once again, the Malaysian teenager came into the week as an unseeded player, and for a second time in as many weeks, she had to get past four of the top six seeds on her way to glory.

The final saw her face up against Sarah Cardwell, and she overcame the home favourite inside 26 minutes, winning in straight games 11-4, 11-6, 11-7.

Azman had already beaten the tournament’s No.1 seed Vanessa Chu, the same player she beat in the final of last week’s World Championships qualifier in Coffs Harbour.

The Malaysian the got the better of Frenchwoman Chloe Mesic, and then compatriot Ooi Kah Yan on her way to the final against Cardwell.

In the men’s draw, there were no dramas for No.1 seed Rex Hedrick, who managed to go through the entire tournament without dropping a game.

He beat Ryosei Kobayashi in the final, the Japanese star who had booked his spot in the World Champs after winning alongside Azman in Coffs Harbour last week.

Hedrick allowed his opponent just ten points in the final, as he won out 11-6, 11-2, 11-2 in just 34 minutes to take the title on home soil.

To reach the final, he had already beaten compatriot Jacob Ford, New Zealander Zac Millar and South Korean Youngjo Ko, all really without breaking sweat.

Result – Women’s Final: Squash Melbourne Open
Aifa Azman (MAS) bt [2] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (26m)

Result – Men’s Final: Squash Melbourne Open
[1] Rex Hedrick (AUS) bt [4] Ryosei Kobayashi (JPN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-2 (34m)