RESULTS: Torneo International Bicentenario Mexico, Toluca, Mexico
1st round (lower half of draw):
[7] Samantha Teran (MEX) bt [Q] Olivia Blatchford (USA) 11-3, 11-6, 11-5 (23m)
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Nayelly Hernandez (MEX) 11-1, 12-10, 11-3 (25m)
[5] Kasey Brown (AUS) bt Rebecca Chiu (HKG) 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (22m)
[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt Emma Beddoes (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (26m)
A packed press conference greeted Samantha Teran after the local favourite left the court following her straight games victory over US qualifier Olivia Blatchford in the opening round of the inaugural Women's Torneo International Bicentenario Mexico, a $67,500 WISPA World Tour squash event at the Estado De Mexico in Toluca.
Spurred in by a crowd chanting 'Mexico, Mexico', Teran showed that she is back to full fitness after an ankle injury that ruled her out of last month's METROsquash US Open by beating 17-year-old New Yorker Blatchford 11-3, 11-6, 11-5.
"Obviously it is fantastic to play in front of your home crowd, and I really wanted to win for them and everyone who has put so much effort into putting on this event," said the 29-year-old No7 seed from Mexico City - her country's highest-ranked woman of all-time.
Earlier, a crowd of over 800 graced Toluca's Plaza Civica to witness the official opening, followed by the first round of the first WISPA Gold event ever to be staged in Mexico. A host of local dignitaries, including a representative of the Mayor of Toluca Enrique Pena Nieto, aided by World No1 Nicol David and Teran officially opened the proceedings on the Manata All Glass Court.
The play got underway with an impressive display by Australian Kasey Brown. Coming to the event off the back of winning three Commonwealth Games medals in Delhi, Brown was in impressive form in blowing away Hong Kong's Rebecca Chiu.
At 9000 feet above sea level, the conditions in Toluca clearly didn't affect Brown as she rattled off an 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 victory in just 22 minutes.
"It's not often that I win quickly, so it's great to get through relatively easily as this could prove to be a tough week at altitude," said the New York-based fifth seed. "Obviously the (singles) bronze in Delhi has given me a lot of confidence so I am looking forward to a good week here."
England's world No2 Jenny Duncalf set up a clash with Brown with a straight games victory over compatriot Emma Beddoes. Duncalf, the silver medallist in Delhi, looked in fine fettle as she worked Beddoes around the court before putting the ball away with trademark drops and volley drops.
"It's a great venue to play in and wonderful to see so many people turn out to watch a squash event," said Duncalf in the post-match press conference after her 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 victory.
Australia's former world No1 and world champion Rachael Grinham soon quietened the expectant crowd as she raced through the first game 11-1 against Mexican qualifier Nayelly Hernandez. However, the 24-year-old - ranked 136 places below the Australian - proved she wasn't overawed by matching her experienced opponent point for point in the second - and indeed holding a game ball at 10/9.
However, Grinham closed out the game and then eased through the third to record an 11-1, 12-10, 11-3 win.
Outstanding 1st round line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [Q] Ivonne Diaz (MEX)
[8] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) v [Q] Karina Heredia Gonzalez (MEX)
[4] Madeline Perry (NIR) v Annie Au (HKG)
[6] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v Latasha Khan (USA)