Steward Set To Emulate Father, While Fitz-Gerald Stages Comeback

The opening day's action in the Parkview Motor Inn Victorian Open in Wangaratta, Australia, produced a significant upset in the men's event and a return to WISPA World Tour action for the retired five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald in the women's.

For only the fourth time in her illustrious career, Fitz-Gerald competed in the qualification rounds to qualify for a world tour main draw. The former world No1 did so with ease, beating Malaysia's Sally Looi 9-5 9-2 9-1 to earn a place in the first round against New Zealand's fifth seed Judith Casbolt.

Melbourne-based Fitz-Gerald, who boasts 62 WISPA titles, is seeking her fifth 'home town' crown.

The first round of the men's event was highlighted by the victory of Australian 15 Year Champion Tom Steward, who defeated 15th seed Takehide Hota, from Japan, 15-11 15-7 15-9 in 41 minutes. Coincidentally, Steward's father Len won this title in 1978.

Steward's next opponent is third-seeded New Zealander Kashif Shuja, who overcame stubborn resistance from Irish youngster Niall Rooney before winning 15-10 15-11 17-14.

Men's 1st round:
[5] Tony James (AUS) bt Hadyn Bernau (AUS) 15-8, 15-5, 15-13
[3] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt Niall Rooney (IRL) 15-10, 15-11, 17-14
Tom Steward (AUS) bt [15] Takehide Hota (JPN) 15-11, 15-7, 15-9 (41m)
Jeffrey Young (AUS) bt [16] Arthur Gaskin (IRL) 15-14, 5-15, 8-15, 15-12, 15-13
Mark Ikin (AUS) bt [14] Joseph Desira (AUS) 10-15, 15-2, 15-3, 15-7
[8] Wade Johnstone (AUS) bt Neeraj Aggarwal (AUS) 15-5, 15-7, 15-10
[4] Callum O'Brien (NZL) bt Chris Chapman (AUS) 15-8, 15-9, 15-9
[9] Simon Carruthers (AUS) bt Sam Atkins (NZL) 15-7, 15-9, 15-7
[10] Kirby Sinclair (AUS) bt Navin Samarasinghe (SRI) 15-6, 14-17, 15-9, 15-6

Women's Qualifying finals:
Mami Nishio (JPN) bt Laura Keating (AUS) 9-5, 9-7, 9-8
Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt Sally Looi (MAS) 9-5, 9-2, 9-1
Kylie Doherty (AUS) bt Delia Arnold (MAS) 9-4, 6-9, 9-7, 9-7
Tricia Chuah (MAS) bt Skye Millar (AUS) 9-2, 9-2, 9-1