Weymuller Cup: Sunday Evening Egyptian Kawy comes of age.

Ron Beck, Squashtalk reporter on the scene in New York City.

by Ron Beck, Heights Casino, New York, 27 Jan 2002
All content © 2002 Squashtalk, photos: © 2002 Debra Tessier

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[view the draw]

HOBBLED OR NOT?

Sarah Fitz-Gerald won her fiftieth tour title a week ago and 130 miles northeast of here in Hartford. After another dominating performance against Carol Owens, Fitz-Gerald revealed she had felt a slight muscle pull during her final match.

On her arrival in New York, the effervescent Fitz-Gerald again reminded us of her muscle problem a week ago. She apparently had spent the week off court. " I won't know how it is until I get on court". Apparently its fine --- Fitz-Gerald had no problems moving forward to the second round of this landmark women's event in New York.

Carol Owens had quite a bit more difficulty --- requiring four games to overcome England's Vicky Botwright. Botwright, who created dubious notoriety for herself through her revealing court attire, would not normally be expected to provide strong opposition to Owens, but a combination of Botwright's steady play with Owen's erratic concentration enabled her to take a game in the contest. Owen's can be excused for a letdown, having played Hartford last weekend and then earning the Southport crown during the week.

But the result of the night has to be Omneya Abdel Kawy's impressive and unexpected upset of England's Tania Bailey. Last summer in Malaysia, Kawy had to play bridesmaid to Nicol David's record setting world junior title. But on the adult tour, Kawy has been more solid than Nicol and this time scored a genuine big win over the enigmatic Tania Bailey.

Bailey, who carries with her immense talent, leaves however some question marks regarding her mental focus on the game. On this occasion, she appeared unable to rouse herself to a heightened level of desire or determination in the face of Kawy's elevated game. Next up for Kawy will be the formidable opposition of Carol Owens.

ARADER AND O ROURKE WEYMULLER CUP

Results, Round One:

Sarah Fitz-Gerald (1) (AUS) def Shelley Kitchen (AUS) 9-3,9-5,9-0
Suzanne Horner (5) (ENG) def Jenny Tranfield (ENG) 6-9, 6-9, 9-4, 9-7, 9-1
Linda Charman-Smith (3) (ENG) def Ellen Petersen (DK) 9-2, 9-3, 9-0
Natalie Pohrer (ENG) def Natalie Grinham (AUS) 9-1, 9-2, 9-0
Rebecca Macree (6) (ENG) def Annelize Nauda (RSA) 3-9, 9-10, 9-2, 9-3
Stephanie Brind (4) (ENG) def Pamela Nimmo (SCO) 9-4, 10-8 , 9-2
Omneya Abdel Kawy(EGY)def Tania Bailey (ENG) (8) Q 9-4, 4-9, 0-9, 9-1
Carol Owens (2) (NZL) def Vicky Botwright 9-3, 4-9,9-3, 9-1