Australian Open champions vying for the double
Julie Keegan, Siti Zalina Ahmad and Lynsey Clarke all have an opportunity to write their names into Australian Open history books The Australian Open women’s singles is down to the final eight, and what an eight it is with Commonwealth Games gold medallist, World Champions, Australian Open Champions and a rising star of the sport all vying for the $13,000 first prize.
Much like the men’s competition, three former Australian Open Singles Champions are in contention to become just the third person in Australian Open history to win dual singles titles.
The first to qualify for Tuesday night’s quarter-final was Club Helensvale’s Lynsey Clarke who demonstrated why she is widely regarded as one of Australia’s best with a comprehensive 21-7 victory over Paradise Point local Georgia White.
Lynsey Clarke is the most prolific winner of Australian Open titles with six trophies already on the mantel piece, and now the Australian Jackaroos Captain is three games away from becoming the second female in Australian Open history to win dual singles titles.
Clarke will meet back-to-back Australian Open Pairs Champion Emma Brown after see defeated Mulwala’s Laureen Smith 21-15 in the round of 16.
2007 Australian Open Singles Champion Siti Zalina Ahmad was on song tonight against former World Junior Singles Champion Kristina Krstic and now, like Clarke, is just three games away from dual Australian Open Singles titles but first she must get past Australian Jackaroo Natasha Scott in the quarter-final.
Natasha Scott was too good for Victoria’s Gayle Edwards scoring an impressive 21-13 victory, setting up a much anticipated dual with the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
2006 Australian Open Singles Champion Julie Keegan had a tough assignment against Australian Selector and former Australian Representative Beth Quinlan; however after getting through that encounter will now contest the quarter-final against NSW NTC Squad member Molly Wilton.
Raymond Terrace’s Molly Wilton has been flying under the radar but with victories over Australian Under 25 Representative Dawn Hayman in the round of 32 and a strong 21-12 win over Tweed Heads up and coming star Jessica Srisamruaybai in tonight’s round of 16 match, Wilton is now a one in eight possibility of claiming a maiden Australian Open title.
With such a star studded field assembled for the women’s singles quarter-finals, female competitors now change their focus to team events with three rounds of fours tomorrow and three rounds of pairs on Tuesday, before the singles quarter-finals commence at 5:30pm on Tuesday night at Broadbeach Bowls Club.
Click here to view the women’s round of 16 results
