Hong Kong's Liu Tsz-Ling won her first WISPA title this week at the Tour 4 North Shore Open in Coffs Harbour, Australia, beating surprise finalist Megan Craig in the final.
The first round saw the top four seeds receive byes whilst there were other major upsets for the seeds. Liu Tsz-Ling had to withstand a spirited challenge from Australia's Jane Kennedy whilst Selena Shaikh took four games to beat compatriot Natalie Newton. All the other first round matches were won in straight games.
The second round was comfortable for the top seeds, although fourth seed Sarah Cardwell and Czech second seed Olga Ertlova both took four games to beat Hong Kong's Karmen Siu and Australia's Aimee Slater respectively. Maggy Marshall was the only seed to lose as Megan Craig won a close opening game before easing to victory.
Quarter finals day saw Australian interest end after some tough battles. Number one seed Melody Francis, winner of four WISPA titles this year, surprisingly lost in the closest match of the day to Craig. Little separated the players throughout the match and it was Craig who was able to convert the vital points to take the deciding game on a tie break. Former North Coast Open winner Samantha Davies found Carmen Lee too strong in the end. Davies took the first two games before the third seed fought back to win in five games. Tsz-ling made it two Hong Kong's players in the semi final beating Cardwell in four games. Tamika Saxby produced some wonderful winners but couldn't break the consistency of Ertlova, losing in straight games.
The last day of the tournament featured both the semi finals and the final. Megan Craig continued with the good form that saw her beat Francis in the quarter final, coming from two games to one down to defeat third seed Carmen Lee. Hong Kong interest was kept alive though as Tsz-Ling beat second seed Ertlova in four close games. Ertlova won the opening game comfortably before Tsz-Ling began to find her range, the crucial third game tie break went to Tsz-Ling and she held onto her lead in the fourth to move into her first final.
The final between Craig and Tsz-Ling would not have been many people's bets before the start of the tournament but the crowd were not disappointed as both players put on a display of high quality squash. Both players were seeking their first WISPA title and it was the Hong Kong girl who built up a two game lead. Craig, a finalist earlier this year in Australia, didn't give up and started to produce some great winners and after some well constructed points she levelled the match at two games all. The deciding game was tough with little separating the two but it was Craig who faltered first, her previous two five setters taking their toll. Tsz-Ling took her opportunity and closed out the match 11-7 to secure her first WISPA title.
