Khan Boosts Country Count In Seoul Open

USA's Latasha Khan brings to eight the number of countries represented in the Women's Seoul Open after winning a place in the main draw of the fifth WISPA Gold event of the year in the South Korean capital city by defeating Japan's Sachiko Shinta in today's qualifying finals in Seoul Plaza.

Shinta was one of three Japanese players who failed to secure a place in the main draw after going down 9-1, 9-1, 9-0 in 19 minutes to Khan, a seven-times US National champion.

Hong Kong's Elise Ng caused a significant upset when she beat Manuela Manetta, ranked 21 places higher. Having only this month broken into the world top thirty, the Italian number one might have been expected to get the better of Ng. But the 26-year-old from Kowloon has been training in Europe, and won her maiden WISPA title in the Netherlands earlier in April - and so was in form.

"I feel comfortable in Asia and I had got used to the court," said Ng after her 9-7, 9-7, 9-2 victory in 38 minutes. "I knew it was a cold evening and I warmed up well and was able to take the first two games, which was very important," added the surprise qualifier who goes on to face England's No7 seed Laura-Jane Lengthorn.

But the play only started after a superb ceremony and show at the glass court venue on Seoul Plaza. The Mayor of Seoul, Mr Oh Se-Hun, delivered the opening televised address and went on court to hit a ball

"There was also a female traditional drumming ensemble which played, as well as Shani, a female rock band," said WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley. "A laser show drew gasps, as did the pyrotechnics. Real wow factor, for sure!

"The Mayor offered hearty congratulations to organizers Seoul Squash Federation, who, in conjunction with Korean Squash Federation were putting on a great show for squash. Encouragingly, the city government supported event should become an annual staging, he hoped."

Qualifying finals:
Kasey Brown (AUS) bt Chinatsu Matsui (JPN) 9-1, 9-2, 9-2 (38m)
Latasha Khan (USA) bt Sachiko Shinta (JPN) 9-1, 9-1, 9-0 (19m)
Elise Ng (HKG) bt Manuela Manetta (ITA) 9-7, 9-7, 9-2 (38m)
Sharon Wee (MAS) bt Mami Nishio (JPN) 9-5, 9-1, 9-2 (24m)