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The 22-seater stretch limo takes the girls to Magic Castle ... |
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 Fri
27th, Quarter-Finals:
[1] Samantha Teran (Mex) bt [6] Donna Urquhart (Aus)
9/5, 6/9, 9/2, 10/9 (49m)
[4] Manuela Manetta (Ita) bt [7] Suzie Pierrepont (Eng)
9/7, 10/9, 8/10, 9/3
(69m)
[3] Louise Crome (Nzl) bt [8] Alana Miller (Can)
10/8, 9/1, 9/1 (42m)
[5] Aisling Blake (Irl) bt [2] Latasha Khan (Usa)
10/8, 6/9, 9/6, 9/7 (75m) |
Close Quarters ...
If most of yesterday's first round matches were quite one-sided,
today's quarter-finals certainly made up for it with four intense
matches.
In the opening match Ireland's Aisling Blake knocked out
second seed Latasha Khan in a marathon encounter. Each of the four
games started with one of the players taking a quick lead, but they
then developed into brutal encounters with long, tough rallies and
no quarter given. The Irishwoman took three of the games, with a
recovery from 7/2 down in the first proving to be decisive.
Blake now plays training partner Louise Crome after the Kiwi
won the shortest match of the day, holding off a first-game
challenge from Alana Miller and never letting the Canadian settle
after that.
Manuela Manetta made the semis for the second time, but my
didn't she have to work hard against Suzie Pierrepont, the Italian's
speed and movement ultimately just giving her the edge over her
powerful English opponent.
Last up was top seed Samantha Teran, who was given a real
scare by Donna Urquhart. The Australian opted to play Samantha's
hard-hitting, fast and furious type of match, and she very nearly
made it pay off.
So Teran and Manetta meet in a repeat of last year's quarter-final -
which Manuela won.
It's a surprise trip out tonight - all we know is that we have to be
dressed up - so quotes and photos to follow ...
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[1]
Samantha Teran (Mex) bt [6] Donna Urquhart (Aus)
9/5, 6/9, 9/2, 10/9 (49m)
 “She
played really well. She’s quite a tricky player, most of the time
she hits it hard but then she puts in those low boasts, and it’s
more awkward with her being a left-hander too.
“It almost went to a fifth, I was lucky to win the fourth game. Last
time I played Manuela was here last year, so it should be an
interesting match tomorrow …”
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[4]
Manuela Manetta (Ita) bt [7] Suzie Pierrepont (Eng)
9/7, 10/9, 8/10, 9/3
(69m)
 “That
was tough. I thought I played ok, but she’s a really good player and
as soon as I put anything loose she would put me on the back foot.
When I kept the pace up I felt more in control, but I really didn’t
want it to go to five so I managed to speed it up and put more
pressure on her, and in the end she began to struggle.
“I really like playing here, it’s more like being on holiday, and
now I’m in the semis again, really looking forward to it …”
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[3]
Louise Crome (Nzl) bt [8] Alana Miller (Can)
10/8, 9/1, 9/1 (42m)
 “I
was a bit erratic yesterday so I just really slowed it down. I
played much more calmly than yesterday and just played what was in
front of me. She likes to play at pace so I tried not to give her
any, only hitting it hard when she was out of position.
“I enjoyed that, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’d never
played Alana before, but Aisling and I play all the time and know
each other’s games so well – it’s good for both of us to be in the
semis.”
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 “I
got a good start, but she played better than me today, in particular
she was more patient and worked the rallies well. I was wearing new
shoes and the bottom of my feet were really hurting after the first,
but that’s no excuse, she just played better.
“I was pretty excited when I saw the draw, giving me the chance to
play new opponents, so in that sense it’s been good experience for
me.”
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[5]
Aisling Blake (Irl) bt [2] Latasha Khan (Usa)
10/8, 6/9, 9/6, 9/7 (75m)
 “The
first was all her for the best part of the game, I was hitting loose
and she just pounced on it, I was getting nothing off her.
"I settled and started to get a better length and got into it
towards the end of the game and was getting more opportunities.
“It was the same pattern for the next three games. She played well
to get 7/1 up in the second, and I got leads in the third and fourth
and squandered them.
“I’m very pleased, I haven’t beaten her before but I like playing
her, she’s a good competitor.”
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