Media Release: Thursday, February 22, 2007

WARREN'S WONDER WEEK ENDS IN SEMI-FINAL

Victorian teenager Samantha Warren's fairytale ABN AMRO Australian Open came to a sudden end today (22-2) at the hands of dual Commonwealth Games singles gold medal winner Ziti Salina Ahmad in Melbourne.

Ahmad, from Malaysia, defeated 17-year-old Warren in the first semi-final of the women's singles at Darebin International Sports Centre.

Warren, who shared her time between the greens and Geelong High School this week, was defeated 11-2, 8-1, bringing to an end a sensational run that included the scalps of three high profile Kiwi internationals.

After a positive start in which she won the first two ends, Warren struggled against the consistent draw shots of the Malaysian powerhouse, scoring on just one more end for the match.

“I knew she was good and I tried not to think about it, but I think it kind of over took me,” Warren said.

“After she won the mat she was making the ends long and I just couldn’t come to grips with the long ends ­‑ and it was very hard to get the mat back.

“When she played certain shots, I thought wow I wish I could do that

“I don’t think there is any shame in losing to someone like that.”

Ahmad who is widely regarded as the best female bowler in the world, said she felt it was a tough match despite the one sided scoreline.

“I didn’t think it was an easy game for me, she still gave me a good fight,” she said.

Ahmad had clearly done her homework on the young Australian and admitted she went into the contest with a clear game plan.

“I had seen that she had always played medium length in earlier games so when I got the jack I just tried to play long. I though she would have difficulty playing long ends.

“I’m happy to be in the final and it will be a big challenge for me.”