Kelsey Cottrell’s World Champion of Champions campaign hit its first snag last night when she dropped a thriller to unheralded Dutch bowler Saskia Schaft.
Despite entering the encounter as a red-hot favourite, the South Tweed superstar, who was unbeaten through the opening five rounds, finally had her colours lowered as Schaft took the match up to the 19-year-old before prevailing 10-5, 7-9, 2-1.
Like the champion she is, however, Cottrell responded immediately, taking her frustrations out on Kenya’s Susan Wambugu as she returned to the top of Pool B with a convincing straight sets win to all but secure a quarter-final berth.
With three rounds remaining, Cottrell needs just one further victory to guarantee herself a place in the post-sectional rounds, but even the unthinkable, three consecutive losses, may not be enough to prevent her from competing in the round of eight.
Sectional play continues in Ayr, Scotland later tonight.
Click here to see full results from the women’s competition at the 2009 World Champion of Champions in Ayr, Scotland.
Women’s round seven results:
Kelsey Cottrell (AUST) def by Saskia Schaft (HOL) 10-5, 7-9, 2-1
Women’s round eight results:
Kelsey Cottrell (AUST) d Susan Wambugu (KEN) 10-4, 11-7
