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Blatchford seals win in Windy City Open

American number two Olivia Blatchford, the 24-year-old from Wilton, Connecticut, sealed the biggest win of her career today (Feb 24) beating India’s World No.14 Joshua Chinappa in the first round of the $150,000 2017 Windy City Open.

It marked the first time the 5ft 0in World No.26 has ever reached the second stage of a PSA World Series tournament — the highest tier tournament in professional squash — in 23 attempts.

Blatchford, the tournament Wildcard, twice saved game ball in the first game to take it 13-11 in the tie-break and from then on she played without pressure, controlling the play to secure a highly impressive 13-11, 11-4, 11-5 victory.

“That’s a massive win for me — especially as I came into this tournament as the wildcard,” said Blatchford.

“It’s a huge confident boost. She’s a top 15 player, so to come in and win in three is a fantastic feeling and to be in the second round, and have another chance to play on the glass court at this stage, can only bode well for me in the future.

“The first game was huge. I think had I lost that one then the match would have been a completely different story. I don’t think I played well in the first game but I managed to stick in there and get through it and that allowed me to go into the second very positive.

“I’ve a great chance now to see how far I can go. It’s all about applying positive pressure on myself and just giving it the best I can.”

Blatchford could now face the world’s highest-ranked U.S.-born squash player Amanda Sobhy, World No.6, for a place in the quarter-finals as the Sea Cliff, New York native makes her tournament debut later today.

Result

• [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA) bt [12] Joshna Chinappa (IND) 3-0: 13-11, 11-4, 11-5 (31m)

Posted on February 24, 2017
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