Melody Francis* continues her trend of summer titles after winning the
Barossa Valley Toyota Open in Tanunda, Australia.
The 23-year-old claimed three back-to-back Australian WSA World Tour titles
in June and July 2011, and won her first event of 2012 at the weekend to
carry on the successful summer pattern.
Seeded first for the event, Francis received a bye through the first round,
before making quick work of locals *Lakeesha Rarare* and *Selena Shaikh* on
her way to the semi’s. A four-game bout with fellow Australian Institute
of Sport member *Sarah Cardwell* saw Francis recover a deficit after
dropping the first game, but the world No37 progressed to face second
seed *Amanda
Landers-Murphy *of New Zealand in the final.
Landers-Murphy, WA Open finalist in Perth at the end of May, also received
a first round bye, followed by a short 3-0 win over *Nicole Stoneham*. Her
quarter-final match against sixth seed *Megan Craig *proved a tough
challenge as she forced the tie to five games. Dutch third seed *Milou Van
Der Heijden* also took a game off the New Zealand international in the
semi’s but was unable to cease the momentum of the number two seed.
The world No51 stormed off to a strong lead in the final against her higher
seeded opponent. With a two-game lead, the 21-year-old had the title
firmly in her sights, but Francis dug deep to launch an impressive
comeback. After fighting for the third game, the tables swung in the
Australian’s favour as the top seed began to establish a foothold in the
game. At two-all, the contest was decided in Francis’ favour with a tight
11-8 final game.
Amanda Landers-Murphy will have the opportunity to make up for her
consecutive runner-up finishes as she is seeded first for the South
Australian Open 2012 next week.
*Final:*
[1] Melody Francis (AUS) bt [2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 6-11, 8-11,
11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (44m)
*Semi-finals:*
[1] Melody Francis (AUS) bt [4] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 4-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3
(30m)
[2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bt [3] Milou Van Der Heijden (NED) 11-8,
5-11, 11-7, 11-9 (31m)
*Quarter-finals:*
[1] Melody Francis (AUS) bt [9] Selena Shaikh (AUS) 11-7, 11-5, 11-2 (25m)
[4] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) bt [5] Tamika Saxby (AUS) 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 (30m)
[3] Milou Van Der Heijden (NED) bt [7] Jessica Turnbull (AUS) 11-9, 11-9,
11-3 (18m)
[2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bt [6] Megan Craig (NZL) 6-11, 11-7, 11-6,
8-11, 13-11 (46m)
*2nd Round:*
[1] Melody Francis (AUS) bt Lakeesha Rarare (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (16m)
[9] Selena Shaikh (AUS) bt [8] Grace Mcervale (AUS) 3-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-8
(38m)
[4] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) bt Taylor Flavel (NZL) 11-4, 11-9, 11-5 (17m)
[5] Tamika Saxby (AUS) bt Alma Kushartanti (AUS) 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 (20m)
[7] Jessica Turnbull (AUS) bt [11] Eloise O'Connor (AUS) 14-12, 11-9, 11-7
(18m)
[3] Milou Van Der Heijden (NED) bt [14] Jacqueline Barnes (AUS) 11-0, 11-6,
11-2 (14m)
[6] Megan Craig (NZL) bt [10] Larissa Huffer (AUS) 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 12-10
(25m)
[2] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bt [13] Nicole Stoneham (AUS) 11-4, 11-3,
11-8 (17m)
