The Cynwyd Club kicked off the 2023/24 Squash Doubles Association (SDA) season with a bang, hosting the highly anticipated Philadelphia Women’s Open. With a $15,000 prize fund and top-tier talent in attendance, this year’s event not only marked the start of the season but also the first professional women’s event ever held at the historic club.
Heading into the tournament, all eyes were on the #1 seeds, Suzanna Pierrepont and Nikki Todd, however it was the local duo of Georgina Stoker, Director of Squash at Cynwyd, and her partner Lauren West, who stole the show. Stoker and West delivered a masterclass in their quarterfinal matchup, taking down the top seeds in a swift 3-0 victory, much to the delight of the home crowd. Their teamwork and court coverage were impeccable, leaving Pierrepont and Todd unable to find their rhythm in a surprisingly one-sided match.
Meanwhile, defending champions Kayley Leonard and Maria Elena Ubina were also in top form, but their road to the final wasn’t as smooth. In a thrilling semi-final, Leonard and Ubina faced off against 4th seeds Jana Shiha and Line Hansen. After a hard-fought four-game contest, the defending champs edged out a 3-1 win, setting up a highly anticipated final against Stoker and West.
The final was nothing short of dramatic. Leonard and Ubina, determined to defend their title, found themselves in a battle against the hometown heroes. After taking an early lead, the defending champions were pushed to the brink as Stoker and West saved a match ball at 14-14 in the fourth game, forcing a decider. However, the fifth game belonged to Leonard and Ubina, who surged ahead to close out the match 3-2, retaining their title in emphatic fashion. Leonard’s movement and sharp play, coupled with Ubina’s steady presence, proved too much for the local duo.
Though Stoker and West fell just short in the final, their performance throughout the tournament was a highlight. The Philadelphia Open set the tone for an exciting season ahead, with Leonard and Ubina solidifying their status as the team to beat.
Next up on the women’s professional doubles calendar is the Maryland Club Open, where teams will once again battle it out for supremacy. With the season off to such a thrilling start, fans can expect more exciting squash in the months to come.