England’s World No.7 Sarah-Jane Perry is through to the quarter finals of the 2019 Oracle NetSuite Open after defeating compatriot Emily Whitlock at the Bay Club in San Francisco.
Perry, who won this event in both 2017 and 2018, needed just 18 minutes to win her second round clash, as she fought back to beat her fellow Englishwoman in both games.
The pair were meeting for the second time in three weeks, having faced off in the quarter-finals of the Open de France – Nantes, where the World No.7 got the better of Whitlock in another best-of-three clash.
Once again, Whitlock started the stronger of the two, but it was the World No.7 that was able to win the first 11-6. The same pattern occurred in the second game, as Perry used a slightly different tactic to normal but taking pace off the ball. And it worked to her advantage.
“She played really well against me a couple of weeks ago in Nantes. I felt a little flat in that tournament, but I have been feeling better in between, and I just tried to come out and play with a little bit of confidence,” Perry said.
“As both games went on, I started to find my way and my rhythm and momentum. Hopefully tomorrow, I can actually start well and not wait until halfway through the game.
“It feels a lot like last year. I think I was the No.5 seed last year as well so it is very much the same. Every opponent was tough last year and that is the same again this year. You are never thinking about any rounds further ahead, just the one that is right in front of you.”
The tournament’s No.5 seed advances through to the quarter finals, where she will face World No.1 Raneem El Welily in a repeat of last year’s Oracle NetSuite Open final.
The World No.1 had to come from a game down to defeat United States No.2 Olivia Blatchford Clyne, eventually winning out 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 to seal her spot in the last eight.
Results - Women’s Second Round: Oracle NetSuite Open
[1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt Olivia Blatchford Clyne (USA) 2-1: 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 (35m)
[5] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Emily Whitlock (ENG) 2-0: 11-6, 11-8 (18m)
[8] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt Melissa Alves (FRA) 2-1: 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 (33m)
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt Olivia Fiechter (USA) 2-0: 11-8, 11-5 (20m)
[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt Hollie Naughton (CAN) 2-0: 11-5, 11-7 (16m)
[6] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Milou van der Heijden (NED) 2-0: 11-6, 11-3 (16m)
[7] Tesni Evans (WAL) bt Salma Hany (EGY) 2-0: 11-4, 11-8 (23m)
[2] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Nele Gilis (BEL) 2-0: 11-3, 11-4 (21m)
Draw - Women’s Quarter Finals (Top Half): Oracle NetSuite Open (To be played Thursday 27 September)
[1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [5] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[8] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [4] Joelle King (NZL)
Draw - Women’s Quarter Finals (Bottom Half): Oracle NetSuite Open (To be played Friday 28 September)
[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[7] Tesni Evans (WAL) v [2] Camille Serme (FRA)
