Ipswich Open winner feels at home in sizzling form
INDIA'S Anaka Alankamony claimed her second title on the women's professional squash tour when she stunned top seed Kylie Lindsay of New Zealand in yesterday's Ipswich Open.
The 18-year-old from Chennai took advantage of a string of errors from the world number 39 to win 11-8, 13-11, 11-5 in hot and humid conditions.
Alankamony had earlier beaten sixth seeded South African Cheyna Tucker in the semi-finals and fourth ranked Christine Nunn in the quarters to complete a weekend of upsets.
She settled far quicker than Lindsay in the final and took control in all three games to record a comfortable win.
"It's been an amazing week for me, I was seventh seed for this tournament so it feels really good to win," she said.
"I had a five-setter in the morning today and yesterday I had a five-setter and a four-setter, so it was a long day yesterday and today, but I feel really wonderful now."
The Ipswich Open was held at Healthworks Brassall over the weekend.
Alankamony said she felt at home with the conditions.
"I train in Chennai and it's very humid there and I think it was a big advantage for me because it is a similar climate to over there," she said.
"The climate didn't really affect me - I really enjoyed playing here."
Lindsay offered no excuses, saying she just had an off day.
"I just really didn't get into it today, not good," she said.
"I was just a little bit flat and couldn't get into it, I made too many mistakes and gave her too much to hit.
"It was hot but I don't think that had anything to do with it, apart from the bouncy ball, I just wasn't good enough."
Alankamony showed enough to suggest she would be a major threat at next week's Queensland Open in Sandgate.
"I'm seventh seed there as well, so I am really confident now," she said.
Key Result
- Final (prefix denotes seeding): 7-Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt 1-Kylie Lindsay 11-8, 13-11, 11-5 (31 minutes) at Healthworks Brassall.
