Colossal battles grace the Granite Open Final Qualifying Round

Nele Gilis in action

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The final round of qualifying for the Slaight Music and Roundtable Capital Granite Open, PSA W25 event produced some mesmerising clashes for gathered spectators in Toronto, Canada.

In a terrific match of immense quality, Belgian No.1 Nele Gilis came up against World No.48 Maria Toorpakai Wazir. Gilis started strongly and marched to a commanding 2-0 lead, however, under the stewardship of former World No.1 Jonathan Power, Wazir bounced back magnificently to level the score at 2-2, forcing the match into a decider. In a closely fought fifth game, Gilis ultimately prevailed 11-8 and progresses to the main draw where she will face Mexico’s Samantha Teran.

Home favourite Danielle Letourneau was also involved in a scintillating five-game match against World No.61 Nouran El Torky. 2-1 down and staring down the barrel of defeat, Letourneau battled hard to force a final game decider before El Torky clinched the fifth 11-8. The Egyptian will now face World No.17 Dipika Pallikal in the first round of the main draw.

Meanwhile, top qualifying seed Millie Tomlinson comfortably secured her place in the first round of the main draw after downing Canada's Hollie Naughton 3-0. Tomlinson will now lock horns against World No.37 Olivia Blatchford.

Welsh No.2 Deon Saffery also booked her place in the main draw after she triumphed over World No. 79 Cheyna Tucker. Saffery displayed some impressive form to win 3-0 and will need to produce blistering squash once again to trouble former World Champion Rachael Grinham in the first round.

Other notable entrants in the main draw include World No.21 Victoria Lust and number one seed Jenny Duncalf who will both be looking to battle for honours this week.

Results – Final Qualifying Round: Slaight Music and Roundtable Capital Granite Open 2016
[1] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt [6] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 3-0 : 11-5, 11-7, 11-4
[3] Nouran El Torky (EGY) by [8] Danielle Letourneau (CAN) 3-2: 11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8
[4] Deon Saffery (WAL) bt [7] Cheyna Tucker (RSA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-2
[5] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [2] Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK) 3-2: 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8

Main Draw – First Round
[1] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Fiona Moverley (ENG)
[Q] Nele Gilis (BEL) v [7] Samantha Teran (MEX)
[8] Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [Q] Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) v [4] Victoria Lust (ENG)
[3] Rachael Grinham (ENG) v [Q] Deon Saffery (WAL)
Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) v [6] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
[5] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) v [WC] Nikki Todd (CAN)
[Q] Nouran El Torky (EGY) v [2] Dipika Pallikal (IND)