Team USA’s Olivia Weaver won her second PSA Silver title in as many weeks, and successfully defended her DAC Pro Classic title with a final win over Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby Saturday, February 10, in Detroit.
Weaver entered the DAC Pro Classic with positive momentum after winning the PSA Silver Bahl & Gaynor Cincinnati Cup last weekend, and continued her good form by fulfilling her seeding to reach the final in Detroit.
Egypt’s world No. 10 Rowan Elaraby pulled off a surprise semifinal upset over world No. 2 Nouran Gohar to set up a final against the American, but the final proved to be one sided. Weaver took total control in the final to clinch the title 11-8, 11-3, 11-3 in twenty-nine minutes.
“Fortunately, I think I managed to play some of my best squash and I’m super happy with how I played,” Weaver said. I maintained my focus throughout the course of the match, Rowan is so dangerous and can beat anyone on her day, so I’m really pleased.”
With her title defense, Weaver matches the biggest title of her career and first time she has defended any major professional title. The titles in Ohio and Michigan lifted Weaver to a new career high ranking of world No. 6 this week.
“This is the first time that I have ever defended a title, so I knew this was an exciting challenge,” Weaver said. “I think the quick start was super important today. I wasn’t sure whether Rowan might be a little flat because she and Nouran had such a tough match yesterday. I just wanted to come out, hit my targets and play more consistently towards the back and find my length. I felt from the get-go I executed that. I’m trying not to focus on results, but instead on the squash I’m playing. I’m constantly learning and improving and evolving as a player. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season and the challenge of continuing to play this way and improving.”