2010 U.S. Squash Open: Dutchwoman, Vanessa Atkinson enthroned champion
Seeded no. 2 at the tournament, Netherlands' Vanessa Atkinson annihilated America's Amanda Sobhy in straight sets to clinch the championship title.
Atkinson got off to a good start, thrashing Sobhy 11-6 in the first set of the match. Amanda seemed to have been demoralized as the second set commenced, considering the fact that Vanessa went on to bag the set, based upon her 11-4 win. In spite of her constant
struggle in the third set of the match, much to Sobhy's dismay, the deciding set went in favor of the Dutchwoman, as Atkinson brought a close to the game with her 11-8 win.
Prior to making it through to the final, Vanessa eliminated Denmark's Line Hansen in the semi-finals of their draw. Hansen however, was sent home after being crushed 11-5, 11-5 and 11-0, three sets in a row by Atkinson.
Alongside, Sobhy made history by coming to be the youngest ever professional to have made it to a U.S. Open semi-final. At the tender age of seventeen, Amanda not only successfully made it to the semis, but also defeated Italy's Manuela Manetta to make it through
to the finals of the championship. The arduous four set semi-final played between the two was brought to an end just as Sobhy beat Manetta 11-3, 11-5, 5-11 and 9-11.
Earlier to defeating Hansen in the semi-finals, Atkinson was made to oppose Britain's Emma Beddoes. Even though the two remained evenly contested throughout the match, Vanessa came out victorious after defeating Beddoes 12-10 in the first set, 11-8 in the set
to follow and 14-12 in the deciding third set of the match.
In an all Dutch first round match, Atkinson went head to head with compatriot, Orla Noom. In spite of putting up a fight, the unseeded professional was verily made to face defeat at the hands of her fellow country woman.
Noom however, initiated the game by taking the first set 12-10, after going nip and tuck with Atkinson. It was however, all downhill for Orla from there on end as Vanessa proceeded further to take the second set 11-7, followed by the third set 11-3 and verily
the deciding third set, 11-9.
Additionally, formerly ranked no. 1 and presently ranked no. 11 in the World, Atkinson performed commendably throughout the tournament apart from having shown limitless potential and hopefully, will continue to do so.
Tags: