Reeham Sedky continued her momentum from a successful March into April, lifting her first career PSA Tour title this weekend–the $10,000 Women’s Richmond Open at the Country Club of Virginia.
Last month, the UPenn junior won her first college individual title, reached her second consecutive U.S. Women’s Championship final and made a surprise run to the final of the $25,000 Texas Open. Her result in Texas shot her up more than 100 places in the world rankings to world No. 79 this month.
Sedky entered the Richmond Open as a qualifier in what was just her third PSA Tour appearance this season. After reaching the main draw, Sedky recorded three decisive 3-0 victories on her way to the final. The top half of the draw included more American interest as three-time U.S. junior champion Marina Stefanoni entered the draw as the eight seed. After a three-game opening victory, the fifteen-year-old upset four seed Catalina Pelaez to reach her first career semifinal in a $10,000 tournament. In the semis, Egyptian top seed Rowan Elaraby ended Stefanoni’s run 11-6, 13-11, 11-7.
The Richmond crowd were treated to a close final between Sedky and El Araby, world No. 31. After seventy-one minutes, it was Sedky who broke through 12-10, 5-11, 11-6, 11-2.
The 2018 Richmond Open marked the fifth year of the tournament.
