Tournament number one seed Annette Cruickshank is through to the 2022 Mansa Gold Holiday tennis tournament final after a 7-6(4),6-3 victory over number seven seed Naa Anyema Mckorley at the Accra Lawn tennis club,
Annette will aim to win her first Open title for the first time on Saturday and will face St. Francis tennis academy's Vanessa Akuaku in the final on Saturday.
"It's just incredible," Annette said about reaching her first Mansa Gold tennis tournament final. "I'm just happy that I get to play my best tennis here. I enjoy it. I've done well before, and now I have a chance to play for a title. It's unreal!"
Annette reads the game, glides around the court and possesses a stunning backhand slice.
Shots from Naa Mckorley that would have been winners against almost anyone else came back with interest, forcing the nervous Naa Mckorley to go for more and miss.
The first set was over an hour, at six games all. While Naa Mckorley steadied the ship a little at the start of the second set, Annette broke again to move 4-2.
Naa Mckorley's attempts to put pressure on her opponent by coming to the net gave Annette a target to pass, and the home favorite marched into her first final in 2022.
Vanessa booked her place in a Mansa Gold for the first time courtesy with a 6-2,2-6,6-2 victory over Eugenia Asigri.
After losing the second set,Vanessa fought hard to come back. Vanessa held on to the final set by keeping her foot on the accelerator throughout the final set.
"It feels astonishing," Vanessa said, about reaching her first major final.
Speaking to the media, Preba Arkaah Greenstreet who is the tournament organizer said, "i am very impressed, the standard of play is exceptional. I think it will surprise people the quality of players we have and their standard of play. It shows real dedication on their part as well. You don't get to be this good, just by playing these are professionals, they think very well."
"The Tournament is popular, we keep increasing the prize money, the next will be more than 3000 thousand cedis. We are looking for cooperate Ladies to come on board and support this initiative." She added
