Saffery so close in the final of the Barcelona Open

Edgbaston Priory’s Deon Saffery came agonisingly close to claiming the $5,000 PSA title in Barcelona with a nailbiting 5 game loss to England’s Lucy Turmel. Saffery, who is currently ranked #78, has recently returned from injury and upset the seedings to make the final.

Straight game victories against Grace Gear (England), Georgia Adderley (Scotland) and Tinne Gillis (Belgium) put her through to the final against rising English star Lucy Turmel (Wr #71). The match couldn’t have been closer with each game going right to the wire, Turmel just pipping Saffery 11-9 in the fifth to take the title.

It surely won’t be long until Saffery takes a deserved place back in the World’s top 50.

Round 1: Beat Grace Gear (England) 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 (29 mins)

Quarter Final: Beat Georgia Adderley (Scotland) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (32 mins)

Semi Final: Beat Tinne Gillis (Belgium) 11-6, 11-9, 11-9 (45 mins)

Final: Lost to Lucy Turmel (England) 16-14, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 9-11