Elias Eliminates Walker In Houston Opener

Unseeded Diego Elias, the Peruvian teenage sensation, pulled off a major upset in the opening round of the 2015 Life Time Fitness Houston Open, PSA International 25 tournament, knocking out number two seed Alister Walker with an accomplished 3-1 victory.

The 2014 World Junior Champion, ranked 23 places below Walker, produced a superb display as he came from a game down against the former World No.12 to complete an impressive come from behind triumph that sees him move into the quarter-finals to face Australian Ryan Cuskelly.

There was further unexpected success during the first round of action as English qualifier Tom Ford, the World No.79, followed up two back-to-back 3-0 victories in qualification with a shock victory over compatriot and World No.40 Joe Lee.

Ford shot out of the gates against his opponent, taking the first two games in commanding fashion and despite a Lee fightback in the third game, it was the 21-year-old who kept his cool to complete the 11-3, 11-9, 6-11, 11-2 win.

Elsewhere top seeded South African Stephen Coppinger made no mistakes as he took out compatriot Thoboki Mohohlo while number three seed Mazen Hesham kept alive his hopes of retaining the Houston Open title he won in 2014 with victory over American qualifier Christopher Gordon.

Results – First Round (Life Time Fitness Houston Open)
[1] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt [WC] Thoboki Mohohlo (RSA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (40m)
[5] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Mohamed Reda (EGY) 3-2: 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6 (86m)
[8] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt [Q] Ben Coleman (ENG) 3-2: 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6 (64m)
[3] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) 3-0: 11-2, 11-9, 13-11 (30m)
[4] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt Campbell Grayson (NZL) 3-2: 6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 13-11, 11-9 (75m)
[Q] Tom Ford (ENG) bt [6] Joe Lee (ENG) 3-1: 11-3, 11-9, 6-11, 11-2 (40m)
[7] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) bt [Q] Chris Hanson (USA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (30m)
Diego Elias (PER) bt [2] Alister Walker (BOT) 3-1: 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (50m)

Draw – Quarter-finals:
[1] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v [5] Cesar Salazar (MEX)
[8] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) v [3] Mazen Hesham (EGY)
[4] Adrian Grant (ENG) v [Q] Tom Ford (ENG)
[7] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v Diego Elias (PER)