Botwright Beats Chiu In Yokohama Climax
England's Vicky Botwright maintained her magnificent form in the final of the Women's Traders United Yokohama Squash Open when she crushed Hong Kong's Rebecca Chiu for the loss of just five points to claim the new WISPA World Tour title in Yokohama, Japan.
With the seating at the Cote-a-Cote Club filled two hours before the start, it was clear that there was huge interest in the outcome of this England versus Hong Kong battle.
Top seed Botwright had arrived in Japan on a high, having made up a two-game deficit to defeat England team-mate Jenny Duncalf in the non-ranking Gerrard Grand Prix Championship final in her home town of Manchester last weekend – and conceded just 10 points en-route to the Yokohama final.
Third seed Chiu, however, had only reached the final after a 61-minute semi-final battle with Madeline Perry – the second seed - snatched 10-9 in the fourth.
Botwright was in control from the outset, mixing in backhand flicks amidst her solid driving and dropping, while weak returns from Chiu were decisively dealt with by the favourite.
After just 26 minutes, Manchester's 28-year-old Botwright raised her arms in celebration of her 9-1 9-0 9-4 victory – and her first WISPA title since the Canary Islands Open a year ago.
The gap was something that the winner commented upon afterwards: "It has been a year since I last won and I am feeling more confident at the moment. I don't want to wait another year for my next WISPA title," said Botwright.
Of her match, the world No7 added: "It was definitely harder than the score suggested, but I think that Rebecca was feeling it from yesterday and I was fresh."
Asian Games champion Chiu clearly agreed: "I was a little bit exhausted after quite hard matches yesterday but I am happy with what I did here. Her style is solid and she hits a good drop shot. It was difficult to keep up the pace with her."
Tour level squash was on the menu again for Japanese players, and judging by the lines of autograph hunters proffering shirts and sheets to sign, the whole squash community and Japanese WISPA members enjoyed every minute of the energising Traders United event.
RESULTS: Women's Traders United Yokohama Squash Open, Yokohama, Japan
Final:
[1] Vicky Botwright (ENG) bt [3] Rebecca Chiu (HKG) 9-1, 9-0, 9-4 (26m)