Maria Toor Pakay - File photo
Maria Toor Pakay. -File photo

KARACHI: Maria Toor Pakay of Pakistan defeated two-time finalist American Latasha Khan in the Southwest Squash Open in Tempe, Arizona to win her second WSA (Women's Squash Association) title.

The fourth seed beat Khan 11-6, 13-11, 4-11, 11-9 in 59 minutes to win the $10,000 event. Pakay took advantage of  the second seed's mistakes to take the first set and just as the American was settling in, the 21-year old from South Waziristan won the second set 13-11.

Khan bounced back in the third set to give herself a fighting chance in the match but Pakay dominated in the fourth to win it 11-9 and claim the title.

Pakay had earlier beaten second seed Lauren Selby 14-2, 17-15, 11-4 in the semi-final and Celia Allamargot 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 in the quarter final.

Pakay is ranked no.52 and has risen over 110 places in 2012 after winning the Liberty Bell Open, which was her first WSA title.  She will now feature in the qualifying round of the Carol Weymuller Open in New York this week.

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