Women’s squash: Maria’s form earns her a spot in the final

Top-ranked national player beats opponent despite ankle problem.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s ace squash player Maria Toorpakai Wazir continued her impressive run in the 2nd Bahria Town International Women Squash Championship as she stormed into the final after beating Malaysia’s Teh Min Jie 3-2 in their semi-final played at the Safari Club Bahria Town in Rawalpindi.

Maria started off well as she built an early 1-0 lead before Jie hit back to win back to back games to take the lead 2-1.

However, the Waziristan-born soon returned on level terms by winning the fourth game to draw 2-2.

In the decider, both players stretched each other to the limits. Maria slipped and twisted her ankle, which forced her to stop for some time. But steely determination fuelled the 24-year-old’s resolve and she came back to finish the match as the victor, winning with scores of 11-7, 9-11, 9-11, 11-3 and 12-10 in a 45-minute battle.

She will now take on top seed Siyoli Walter of South Africa on Saturday, who beat Hong Kong’s Liu Tsz-Ling with scores of 11-3, 11-9 and 11-4.

Maria’s younger brother Babrak Khan, who is assisting her as coach during the tournament, said that all would depend on how quickly she recovers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2015.

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