Rachel Arnold (MAS) 3-1 Amina El Rihany (EGY) 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 (34m)
Rachel : I’m not too happy with my start, I was a bit nervous as I know that Amina can pick up a lot of balls. But once I got my rhythm going, and got the momentum, I felt much more confident.
I just tried to be ready for anything she would pick up and tried to pin her at the back to prevent her to play her shots from the middle.
Amanda told me to keep the intensity up, to be more ‘in the game’. My mind was not in it in the first. Once I got a bit more intensity and aggression in the latter part of the game.
We train in Florida with Wael El Hindi, not only Amanda but also Jasmine Hutton, who I am playing tomorrow! We know each other’s game pretty well, so it should be a good game.
Wael gave me the confidence that I am good enough. That I am capable of winning matches, so I’m pushing myself physically and mentally.
Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 3-1 Nicole Bunyan (CAN) 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9 (44m)
Zeina
“It was a very tough first-round match. I’m really glad I’m through in four. I feel like I was on my toes the whole match. It’s my first tournament since the US tour and we also had Ramadan, so it’s been a tough month. I think I played well and all credit to Nicole, she never let me settle.”
“She’s a tough opponent; all the times I beat her before have been tough, so I’m really glad I can play another match on this court in front of this crowd.”