Fernandes finishes second in Canada’s twin events

TIMES INT'L

By Avenash Ramzan

Nicolette Fernandes
Nicolette Fernandes

Guyana’s squash sensation Nicolette Fernandes has started 2016 in fine style, advancing to the final of back-to-back competitions in Canada, but stumbling at the last hurdle, finishing runner-up on both occasions.

The 32-year-old, who is currently ranked number 24 in the world, finished second best to England’s Victoria Lust in the Granite Open in Toronto, a competition that took place on January 18-22.

Fernandes, who was seeded sixth in the tournament, lost in straight sets to fourth seed Lust, who chalked up scores of 11-6, 11-2, and 11-4 in the 45-minute game.

The Guyanese had advanced to the final on the back of a gritty performance in the quarter-finals, where she defeated Deon Saffery of Wales in a five-set thriller, which lasted 77 minutes, by far the longest match of the tournament.

Saffery, who had to compete in the qualifiers to enter the main draw, took the opening two set 11-8, 11-9, before Fernandes stormed back to win the next two sets 11-7, 11-3. With all to play for in the final set, Fernandes churned out an 11-9 scoreline to book her place in the final.

Prior to that, Fernandes had defeated New Zealand’s Amanda Landers- Murphy 12-10, 11-1, 16-14 in a hard-fought contest in the first round.

A few days later, the England-based Fernandes was back in action, competing in the Winnipeg Winter Club Open from January 28-31. The final was a showdown between the top two seeds- number one Emily Whitlock of England and number two Fernandes.

Whitlock copped the title with a straight-set win, winning 11-8, 11-7, and 11-4.

Fernandes had earlier blazed through to the final, winning all her games in straight sets. In the first round, she toppled Canada’s Anika Alexander 11-2, 11-2, 11-6, before beating Cyrielle Peltier of France 11-4, 11-5, 12-10 in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, Fernandes defeated Canada’s Hollie Naughton 11-5, 11-3, 11-6. Prior to the two tournaments, Fernandes was ranked 28 in the world. (aramzan@guyanatimesgy.com)

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