Canadian-Egyptian Zeina Zein recorded her first World Tour win as she overcame USA’s Marina Stefanoni as the Canadian Women’s Open got underway in Toronto.
In the opening match on the stunning all glass court in the Allen Lambert Galleria,
World No.67 Zein - who was playing in her first Bronze event on the World Tour after first round exits at the Platinum level El Gouna International and the Hong Kong Open in 2022 - was too strong throughout for Stefanoni, with the Alexandria native using width well to run out an 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 winner in 34 minutes.
Afterwards, Zein said: “I’m so happy. That’s my biggest win!
“I really enjoy playing here. I love the organisation; every tournament I’ve played [in Canada] is amazing. I’m always excited to come here and play!”
Elsewhere, there was a first win on the World Tour for Germany’s Saskia Beinhard, too, who battled back from 2-1 down and trailing 5-0 in game four to beat Tessa ter Sluis of the Netherlands 3-2.
For the hosts, Nicole Bunyan progressed through to the second round - where she will join compatriot Hollie Naughton, who received a first round bye - after coming through a entertaining encounter with Spain’s Marta Dominguez Fernandez 3-1, in which three of the four games were decided on tie-break.
Round two of the Canadian Women’s Open gets underway tomorrow (27th March) from 17:00 (GMT-4). Watch the action from the glass court live on SQUASHTV or follow the live scores here.
Results: Round One
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt [WC] Nikki Todd (CAN) 3-0 : 11-8, 11-7, 11-3 (24m)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) bt [WC] Niki Shemirani (CAN) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (19m)
Saskia Beinhard (GER) bt Tessa ter Sluis (NED) 3-2: 12-10, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8 (47m)
Zeina Zein (EGY) bt Marina Stefanoni (USA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-8 (34m)
Nicole Bunyan (CAN) bt Marta Dominguez Fernandez (ESP) 3-1: 12-10, 11-13, 13-11, 11-8 (50m)
Cindy Merlo (SUI) bt Nadia Pfister (SUI) 3-2: 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 (48m)
Nardine Garas (EGY) bt Grace Gear (ENG) 3-1: 11-2, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9 (33m)
Katie Malliff (ENG) bt Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 (25m)
Draw: Round Two - to be played 27 March
[1] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
Kenzy Ayman (EGY) v [5] Hollie Naughton (CAN)
[8] Lucy Beecroft (ENG) v Saskia Beinhard (GER)
Zeina Zein (EGY) v [3] Sabrina Sobhy (USA)
[4] Olivia Clyne (USA) v Nicole Bunyan (CAN)
Cindy Merlo (SUI) v [6] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)
[7] Emily Whitlock (WAL) v Nardine Garas (EGY)
Katie Malliff (ENG) v [2] Salma Hany (EGY)
