Fernandes Enjoys 'Best Win Ever' In Hurghada Upset

Guyana qualifier Nicolette Fernandes clinched "my best win ever" when she upset third seed Pamela Nimmo on the second day of first round action in the Women's Hurghada International at the Red Sea resort of Hurghada in Egypt.

Since moving from her Caribbean home to the UK to gain access to the intensive coaching she needed, 22-year-old Fernandes has become a fully-rounded player who can pose problems to those ranked above her current ranking of 45.

Fernandes powerfully demonstrated this against Nimmo, the world No20 from Scotland, whom she beat 9-7, 9-1, 4-9, 9-6 in 46 minutes.

As the dejected Scot left the all-glass court, spectacularly staged in the in the middle of the Hurghada promenade and surrounded by holiday hotels and a variety of tourist outlets, Fernandes was ecstatic: "That was my best win ever - especially as it came here. I have never played in front of a big audience in a spectacular place. Just walking on court was really special."

Fernandes will next meet eighth seed Raneem El Weleily, one of three Egyptians through to the last eight. The 17-year-old world junior champion from Alexandria beat New Zealand's Louise Crome 9-1, 6-9, 9-4, 9-2 in 38 minutes.

"This is the hottest place I have ever been to," said Crome, who moved to Amsterdam three weeks ago after giving up full time work as an airline financial analyst to pursue squash full-time.

There was also disappointment for another Kiwi when unseeded Jaclyn Hawkes was unable to build on two leads against Tegwen Malik - eventually going down 3-9, 9-6, 6-9, 9-7, 9-1 in 59 minutes to the fifth seed from Wales.

"I've got fitness on my side and maybe a bit of experience too," conceded Malik, from Swansea, afterwards. "Jaclyn played well and really put me to the test but at least I have got through after a long day even though I lost a little focus here and there."

Malik will face Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy for a place in the semi-finals. Seeded two, Kawy is expected to reach the final for the third successive year - but is looking for her first win. The 20-year-old from Cairo beat Italian qualifier Manuela Manetta 9-1, 9-0, 9-3 in 25 minutes.

Kawy was full of praise for her opponent: "She played well in the first and third but in the second she was not there. She may have been scared by the crowd a little and could play better still."

1st round:
[8] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Louise Crome (NZL) 9-1, 6-9, 9-4, 9-2 (38m)
[Q] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) bt [3] Pamela Nimmo (SCO) 9-7, 9-1, 4-9, 9-6 (46m)
[5] Tegwen Malik (WAL) bt Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) 3-9, 9-6, 6-9, 9-7, 9-1 (59m)
[2] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [Q] Manuela Manetta (ITA) 9-1, 9-0, 9-3 (25m)