Blake Beats Chinappa In Creteil Upset

Ireland's Aisling Blake claimed an unexpected place in the final of the Women's Creteil Open International after upsetting India's No2 seed Joshna Chinappa in the semi-finals of the inaugural WISPA World Tour event at Centre Marie Therese Eyquem in Creteil, France.

The 25-year-old third seed from Sligo, currently based in Amsterdam, recovered from a game down to beat 20-year-old Chinappa, from Chennai, 5-9, 9-1, 9-3, 9-5 in 42 minutes to reach the second Tour final of her career.

Blake will face Manuela Manetta, the top seed from Italy. The 23-year-old from Parma also had to fight back from a game behind to beat South Africa's No4 seed Tenille Swartz 1-9, 9-6, 9-4, 9-6 in a tough battle which lasted 53 minutes.

Swartz, the 19-year-old from Parys who was voted the WISPA Young Player of the Year in the World Squash Awards in December, reached the semi-finals after despatching local star Camille Serme - the 17-year-old European Junior Champion from Creteil - in the quarter-finals.

Semi-finals:
[1] Manuela Manetta (ITA) bt [4] Tenille Swartz (RSA) 1-9, 9-6, 9-4, 9-6 (53m)
[3] Aisling Blake (IRL) bt [2] Joshna Chinappa (IND) 5-9, 9-1, 9-3, 9-5 (42m)