Liu Tsz-Ling ended a 13-month wait for her third WSA World Tour title after claiming the South Australian Open at the Revive Fitness Centre in Plympton Park, Australia. The 21-year-old from Hong Kong made a shaky start to the Tour5 event, dropping the first two games of her round one match against Ahn Eun Chan, before coming back to win in five games.
Her form improved her form throughout the event however, as she claimed a deceptively close three-game win over Alexandra Fuller of South Africa in round two, followed by quick 13-minute win over eleventh seed Natalie Newton. In the semi-final she faced compatriot Tong Tsz-Wing, defeating the younger player in four games to set up a final with home hopeful Lisa Camilleri.
The former world No.28 was in good form through the early stages of the competition, defeating Korean Kim Ga-Hye, local Lakeesha Rarere and unseeded Kiwi Eleanor Epke in straight games to reach the semi-final.
A five-game battle with top seeded Amanda Landers-Murphy ended in the Australian’s favour, sending Camilleri into her 25th WSA final. It was the Hong Kong international who was on form in the final however, making up for her disappointing semi-final exit in last week’s Barossa Valley Open with a three-love win to claim her third career final.
Final:
[2] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) bt [3] Lisa Camilleri (AUS) 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 (32m)
