Fernandes Forges Weymuller Breakthrough In New York

Guyana's Nicolette Fernandes earned her maiden appearance in the Women's Carol Weymuller Open when she defeated Ireland's Aisling Blake in the qualifying finals of the established WISPA World Tour event at Heights Casino in New York, USA.

Winner of the Central America & Caribbean Games golf medal in July and runner-up in the Panamerican Championship last month, Fernandes beat Blake 9-6, 3-9, 9-2, 9-6 on her return to the Tour after a three-month break.

The UK-based 23-year-old will now face Australia's top seed Rachael Grinham in the first round.

Grinham, the world No3 making her first appearance in the Heights Casino event, is expected to face local star Natalie Grainger in the final. Grainger, the No2 seed from Washington, takes on England's Suzie Pierrepont in the first round.

Qualifying finals:
Chinatsu Matsui (JPN) bt Joshna Chinappa (IND) 10-8, 6-9, 10-8, 9-2
Louise Crome (NZL) bt Georgina Stoker (ENG) 9-2, 9-5, 10-8
Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) bt Aisling Blake (IRL) 9-6, 3-9, 9-2, 9-6
Manuela Manetta (ITA) bt Dianne Desira (AUS) 9-6, 9-2, 3-9, 9-1