Ipswich (Australia), Oct 21 (IANS) India's Anaka Alankamony claimed her second title on the women's professional squash tour and her first abroad when she stunned top seed Kylie Lindsay of New Zealand to win the Ipswich Open Sunday.
Anaka, the 18-year-old trainee at the Indian Squash Academy, Chennai, took advantage of a string of errors from the World No.39 to win in straight games 11-8, 13-11, 11-5 in hot and humid conditions.
Anaka, ranked 93, earlier beat sixth seeded South African Cheyna Tucker in the semi-finals and fourth ranked Christine Nunn in the quarters to complete a weekend of upsets.
She settled far quicker than Lindsay in the final and took control in all three games to record a comfortable win.
"It's been an amazing week for me, I was seventh seed for this tournament so it feels really good to win. I had a five-setter in the morning today and yesterday I had a five-setter and a four-setter, so it was a long day yesterday and today, but I feel really wonderful now," said Anaka.
Regarding the conditions, she said: "I train in Chennai and it's very humid there and I think it was a big advantage for me because it is a similar climate to over there."
"The climate didn't really affect me - I really enjoyed playing here. Finally, I would like to thank all my coaches and the Sports Develoment Authority of Tamil Nadu for all their support."
Lindsay offered no excuses, saying she just had an off day. "I just really didn't get into it today, not good. I was just a little bit flat and couldn't get into it, I made too many mistakes and gave her too much to hit."
"It was hot but I don't think that had anything to do with it, apart from the bouncy ball, I just wasn't good enough."
Anaka showed good form to suggest she would be a major threat at next week's Queensland Open in Sandgate. "I'm seventh seed there as well, so I am really confident now," she said.
The other Indian entry, Aparajitha Balamurukan had earlier lost in the second round of the event.
Results (Indian matches):
Second round: 5-Lotte Eriksen (NOR) bt 12-Aparajitha Balamurukan (IND) 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 4-11, 11-4; 7-Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt Zoe Petrovansky (AUS) 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7.
Quarter-finals: Alankamony bt 4-Christine Nunn (AUS) 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7.
Semi-finals: Alankamony bt 6-Cheyna Tucker (RSA) 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-2; Final: Alankamony bt 1-Kylie Lindsay 11-8, 13-11, 11-5.
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