El Amir Falls As Fernandes Progresses In World Qualifiers

Nicolette Fernandes, Guyana's only full-time squash player, caused a significant upset in the first qualifying round of the Women's KL World Open Championship today in Malaysia when she defeated Egypt's world No32 Eman El Amir 9-3 10-8 9-10 9-0 in 45 minutes at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

The 21-year-old world No75, who is based in Manchester in England, will now face Australia's Kasey Brown for a place in the main draw. Brown also beat an Egyptian, Amnah El Trabolsy, 9-0 9-4 9-6.

1st qualifying round:
Engy Kheirallah (EGY) bye
Suzie Pierrepont (ENG) bt Line Hansen (DEN) 10-8, 9-10, 2-9, 9-4, 9-6 (74m)
Melissa Martin (AUS) bt Lim Yoke Wah (MAS) 9-4, 9-1, 9-5 (23m)
Rebecca Botwright (ENG) bt Jemma Saxby (AUS) 9-3, 9-1, 9-1 (18m)
Amelia Pittock (AUS) bt Tricia Chuah (MAS) 9-2, 9-6, 9-5
Dianne Desira (AUS) bt Delia Arnold (MAS) 9-6, 9-6, 9-5 (27m)
Heidi Mather (AUS) bt Nur Adawiyah (SIN) 9-1, 9-0, 9-1 (20m)
Runa Reta (CAN) bt Sally Looi (MAS) 9-4, 9-4, 9-4 (28m)
Kasey Brown (AUS) bt Amnah El Trabolsy (EGY) 9-0, 9-4, 9-6 (28m)
Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) bt Eman El Amir (EGY) 9-3, 10-8, 9-10, 9-0 (45m)
Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Sarah Kippax (ENG) 8-10, 6-9, 9-7, 9-3, 9-6 (51m)
Tamsyn Leevey (NZL) bt Elise Ng (HKG) 9-2, 9-4, 9-0 (20m)
Lauren Briggs (ENG) bye
Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) bt Manuela Manetta (ITA) 9-2, 9-7, 9-0 (30m)
Karen Kronemeyer (NED) bye
Tegwen Malik (WAL) bye