Wildcard Blatchford gives home crowd big cheer in Chicago

PETALING JAYA: Wildcard entrant Olivia Blatchford gave the home crowd much to cheer about after beating 12th seed Joshna Chinappa of India in the first round of the US$150,000 (RM669,000) Windy City Open squash championships in Chicago.

American Blatchford, the world No. 26, was on fire as she sent world No. 14 Joshna packing with a 1311, 114, 115 win in just 31 minutes on Friday.

“It’s a massive win for me. Especially since I came into the tournament as the wildcard,” said the 24yearold Blatchford.

“Joshna is a top 15 player, so to come in and win in three is a fantastic feeling. It’s also a huge confidence boost to be in the second round and have another chance to play on the glass court.”

The American No. 2 meets compatriot and world No. 6 Amanda Sobhy next for a place in the quar terfinals.

The 23yearold Sobhy was equally sharp as she downed Belgian qualifier Nele Gilis 115, 113, 111 in just 20 minutes.

Canadian qualifier Sam Cornett also pulled off a huge upset by downing world No. 11 Joelle King of New Zealand 1113, 117, 1513, 119.

World No. 52 Cornett takes on fifth seed Laura Massaro of England, who defeated Egyptian youngster Mariam Metwally 119, 811, 115, 117, for a place in the last eight.

In the men’s event, Hong Kong’s world No. 33 Leo Au delivered the day’s biggest upset by stopping world No. 8 Tarek Momen of Egypt 511, 117, 1012, 119, 117.

The 27yearold Leo takes on Spain’s Borja Golan in the second round.