Stoker Sinks Matsui On Home Court In Indiana
England's Georgina Stoker was the standout player on the opening day of action in the Women's Rollpak Goshen Squash Open after upsetting Japan's seventh seed Chinatsu Matsui in this new event on the WISPA World Tour in Indiana, USA.
The staging of the Goshen Open marks a notable breakthrough on the international squash circuit - as it is being held on a squash court in a private house! In building their beloved squash court in their home a year ago, Dr Jim and Karen Wellington had two objectives in mind: To foster the development, understanding and passion for the game of squash in Elkhart County and its surrounding areas; and to host a tournament.
The second of those goals came to fruition this week as players from England, Canada, USA, Japan, Belgium, Guyana and Australia began fighting it out in the Rollpak-sponsored WISPA Tour 4 event which is due to climax in Sunday's final between two top-seeded Canadians Runa Reta and Katie Patrick.
Georgina Stoker became the only unseeded player to reach the last eight when she beat Matsui 9-6 5-9 9-5 9-6. The 20-year-old from Merseyside will now face compatriot Suzie Pierrepont for a place in the last four.
RESULTS: Women's Rollpak Goshen Squash Open, Indiana, USA
1st round:
[1] Runa Reta (CAN) bye
[6] Mami Nishio (JPN) bt Johanna Rydeberg (USA) 9-1, 9-1, 9-1
[4] Sarah Kippax (ENG) bt Celia Allamargot (FRA) 9-7, 9-5, 9-2
[5] Charlie de Rycke (BEL) bt Sachiko Shinta (JPN) 9-1, 9-2, 9-3
Georgina Stoker (ENG) bt [7] Chinatsu Matsui (JPN) 9-6, 5-9, 9-5, 9-6
[3] Suzie Pierrepont (ENG) bt Kirsty McPhee (ENG) 9-3, 9-2, 9-1
[8] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) bt Amanda Hopps (AUS) 1-9, 4-9, 9-4, 10-8, 9-7
[2] Katie Patrick (CAN) bye