Open de France: Day One – Player Reaction: Courts 5 & 6

The Open de France de Squash gets underway today, and there will be 13 matches taking place on the traditional courts at La Maison du Squash in Nantes.

Due to a late withdrawal, which saw Egypt’s Yathreb Adel pull out of the tournament through injury, Switzerland’s Cindy Merlo and Egypt’s Nardine Garas both receive byes through to the second round. Therefore, there are only the six matches on Court 5 this afternoon.

All the action from Court 5 & 6 will be shown live on SQUASHTV, and you can also keep up to date with the live scores from the event.

We will bring you all the reaction from those in action on the traditional courts in Nantes throughout the day right here.

Order Of Play – Side Courts
Court 5
12:00 Nadia Pfister (SUI) v Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY)
12:30 Nick Wall (ENG) v Yahya Elnawasany (EGY)
13:15 Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v Saskia Beinhard (GER)
13:45 Bernat Jaume (ESP) v Charlie Lee (ENG)
15:00 Faraz Khan (USA) v Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND)
15:45 Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) v Mazen Gamal (EGY)

Court 6
12:00 [WC] Ana Munos (FRA) v Satomi Watanabe (JPN)
12:30 Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) v Lucas Serme (FRA)
13:15 [WC] Elise Romba (FRA) v Cristina Gomez (ESP)
13:45 Declan James (ENG) v [WC] Benjamin Aubert (FRA)
14:30 Julianne Courtice (ENG) v Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY)
15:00 Leonel Cardenas (MEX) v [WC] Edwin Clain (FRA)
15:45 Marie Stephan (FRA) v Tessa ter Sluis (NED)

Watanabe & Aboulmakarim Starts Nantes With Wins

Japan’s Satomi Watanabe and Egypt’s Nour Aboulmakarim were the first two women to take victory on the opening day of the Open de France de Squash on Monday afternoon.

Watanabe, who has been as high as World No.44 in her career, was in imperious form to get the better of one of the French wildcards, Ana Munos. The Japanese No.1 dropped just nine points, and only needed 12 minutes on court to take a straight games victory, and advance to the last 16, where she will face World No.12 Tinne Gilis.

“I feel like the court was quite bouncy, it’s quite warm in here. I was struggling a little bit to adjust my space, and my shots, but I think I found it alright out there,” Watanabe said. 

“Anyway, I am playing on the glass tomorrow, so I have to adjust again. I am really happy to get through the first round!”

On Court 5, Egypt’s Aboulmakarim took on Switzerland’s Nadia Pfister, and the pair went the distance in their best-of-three clash. The young Egyptian took the lead, only to see Pfister win the second game, but Aboulmakarim was able to regroup to advance to the second round of the Bronze level event.

“After El Gouna, I was injured for three months, saw a lot of doctors and had a lot of treatment but not much squash! I was allowed to play only two weeks before the event, so today I was a bit nervous because I don’t think I’m that ready,” she explained.

“I was trying to rely on my squash, forgetting the injury, but in the last game, I just realised that it was best-of-three, and that I had to win that game! So, I focussed point by point, and it worked!”

Results:
Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt [WC] Ana Munos (FRA) 2-0: 11-3, 11-6 (12m)
Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) bt Nadia Pfister (SUI) 2-1: 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 (25m)

Wall & Serme Through To Last 16

The first set of men’s matches at the 2022 Open de France de Squash saw the first win for a home favourite, as Lucas Serme got the better of Colombia’s Juan Camilo Vargas, while Englishman Nick Wall defeated Egypt’s Yahya Elnawasany.

The Frenchman came through in a tight three-game battle against the Colombian No.2, having taken the early lead. He then saw Vargas fight back to take the second game, one he had been in front of the entire way, 11-9. Serme showed his strength in the third game, to win it 11-2 and book his spot in the last 16.

“I am really happy. It is my first match back after the summer break, and I had a pretty long break, so you kind of forget what a competitive match is, almost,” Serme admitted.

“It was also my first best-of-three match ever, so it was double the pressure, but I am happy I managed to get through that, to play a good solid match, a training partner as well, which is never easy.”

England’s Wall caused the first upset of the day’s play, with a confident performance to take down Egypt’s Yahya Elnawasany in straight games at La Maison du Squash. 

It was my first tournament playing best-of-three, so that was interesting, I think it suits me because I like to play quite explosively, also, putting pressure on with longer rallies. First match of the season as well for me, you don’t know really where your level is. I tried to find my foundation and basics,” Wall explained.

“Tomorrow, it’s going to be a tough one against Marwan obviously, but the pressure is off a little bit more, hopefully, I can let my arm go and really try and take it to him, see what I can do.”

Results:
Lucas Serme (FRA) bt Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) 2-1: 11-6, 9-11, 11-2 (41m)
Nick Wall (ENG) bt Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 2-0: 11-7, 11-9 (26m)

Gomez and Tomlinson Safely Through To Second Round

Spain’s Cristina Gomez and England’s Millie Tomlinson are the next two women to make it through to the second round of the Open de France de Squash on Monday afternoon, after both came through their opening day exchanges in straight games.

The Spanish No.1, who was featuring on Tour for the first time this season, took on French wildcard Elise Romba, and came out of the block firing, winning the first game in just five minutes, and dropping just a single point. The second game was a little tighter, but Gomez got the job done in two games, to book her place in the last 16.

“I felt really comfortable on court. It is my first time playing the best-of-three format, so it was quite strange. I went 1-0 up, and then realised if I won the next game, I knew that was it,” Gomez admitted.

“The first match is always difficult. I know her game well, and she knows my game too. The first game, I dominated every point, but at times in the second, she was better than me! In the end, though, I won the game so I am really excited for tomorrow and to aim to keep going!”

She will be joined by England’s Millie Tomlinson, after the former World No.20 came through an opening game tie-break en route to defeated German No.1 Saskia Beinhard. Tomlinson took the first 12-10, and that gave her the momentum which she took into the second game, one she went on to win 11-7 to clinch her spot in the next round.

“I’m honestly just super happy to be here especially having Nantes as my first tournament, it’s nice a lovely city. Really happy to play in the event. Now, physically I’m fine but happy it’s best-of-three!” Tomlinson said.

“Obviously, not in my best form but happy to get back on court, and I think I actually improved in the match just by playing. I found a better length, and started moving a bit better and I hope I’ll get better and better every match.”

Results:
Cristina Gomez (ESP) bt [WC] Elisa Romba (FRA) 2-0: 11-1, 11-7 (18m)
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 2-0: 12-10, 11-7 (28m)

England’s James and Lee Through To Last 16

The English duo of Declan James and Charlie Lee were victorious in the last matches of the opening session in Nantes, getting the better of France’s Benjamin Aubert and Spaniard Bernat Jaume, respectively.

James came into this event off the back of a confidence-building run in Doha, and he needed to dig deep in the first game, after being 10-7 down. He won five straight points to win it 12-10, before then a quick start in the second game saw him cruise to victory.

“Relieved! The first game was a little bit tense, I made five errors which you just can’t do at this level. You can’t give anyone a five point lead and then I found myself at 10-7 down,” he said.

“When you’ve got the confidence and the momentum, you can get yourself out of those situations, and I think that is what happened there. I am feeling good and I got myself out of trouble, and then the second was more straightforward. I put a big push at the start of that one, so I am happy to get off 2-0.”

Meanwhile, countryman Charlie Lee had to fight his way past Spain’s Bernat Jaume on Court 5, eventually coming through after 45 minutes of action. The Spaniard fought back after losing the first to send the match into a decider. Lee was able to fight through it though, to win in three and cause an upset on the opening day.

“Sometimes you’ve got to realise that the hard work will end up paying, although you lose  the game. I’m still relatively inexperienced on the World Tour with my time out, but I’m learning every day. And these matches are exactly what you need, especially with a different pressure with a best-of-three,” the Englishman said.

“I was really happy to win the first, having that mental advantage, and then normally, you relax a little bit, not fully, but a bit more aggressive because they have to take the next game. And although I lost the second game, and then it’s a shoot out, I came out quite well in the third game, that’s when my best squash came up.”

Results:
Declan James (ENG) bt [WC] Benjamin Aubert (FRA) 2-0: 12-10, 11-5 (26m)
Charlie Lee (ENG) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 2-1: 11-9, 7-11, 11-4 (45m)

Aboelkheir, Cardenas and Mangaonkar Into Last 16

Egypt’s Fayrouz Aboelkheir downed the experienced Julianne Courtice in the women’s event, taking victory in straight games over the Englishwoman to move through to the last 16. The pair had never met, and Aboelkheir was on top from the off, saving game ball in the first to take it 12-10, before then winning the second 11-5 to book her spot in the second round.

“It’s definitely one of my best wins, and I needed it badly because I haven’t been playing well recently,” the Egyptian said. 

“Julianne is a great player, it’s an honour to be on court with her and beating her is very rewarding. My plan was to take the lead, I managed to do it in both games which allowed me to gain some confidence.”

Following on from that in the men’s game, Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas survived a comeback from wildcard Edwin Clain, while India’s Mahesh Mangaonkar won in three games against the USA’s Faraz Khan.

Cardenas took on wildcard Edwin Clain, and in front of a decent crowd at La Maison du Squash, the Mexican had to dig deep to survive. He took the first 11-7, but Clain then fought back, and in a tight second game, the Frenchman took it 12-10 to level the contest. The Mexican then managed to hold a slender lead throughout the third, and despite Clain saving two match balls, Cardenas was able to win the third 12-10, to book his place in the second round.

“I am feeling great and happy to get to the next round! The match, it was tight! I was a bit nervous because of the crowd. I am not used to the best-of-three format, but I gave it all my heart, and that worked for me!” Cardenas said.

“It feels great. Like every player, I put a lot of effort to come here from Mexico and play. I am happy to get the result, that’s why I was so excited!”

Also coming through in three games was India’s Mahesh Mangaonkar, who got the better of American Faraz Khan. The Indian took the first game comfortably, only to see Khan fight back, winning the second on a tie-break to force a decider. Mangaonkar came through to win the third game 11-6, and he will move through to the second round.

“I was quite good in the first, but I did not replicate that in the second. I was leading most of the second game, but in the first five points, I kind of gave him a way to come back, I was playing silly shots, I was unable to choose between short shot or length, trying to be too complicated,” the Indian said.

“But what I know against those players, is stick to the game plan, no mater what. Just hit the corners. Don’t give in to where he is. Hit it into space, that’s the way to do it.”

Results:
Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt Julianne Courtice (ENG) 2-0: 12-10, 11-5 (17m)
Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt [WC] Edwin Clain (FRA) 2-1: 11-7, 10-12, 12-10 (46m)
Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) bt Faraz Khan (USA) 2-1: 11-3, 10-12, 11-6 (47m)

Stephan and Eleinen Secure First Round Wins

The final two players through to the second round from the traditional side courts on Monday afternoon were Frenchwoman Marie Stephan and Egypt’s Aly Abou Eleinen.

Stephan became the only French woman to take victory on the opening day of the competition, as she put in a confident performance, spending just 14 minutes on court against Dutch No.1 Tessa ter Sluis. She dropped just eight points across the two games played to book her spot in the second round.

“It was my first time playing the best-of-three format so it felt like it went by quickly. I didn’t even have time to settle, because just like that, it was over! It was a good first match, though, to get under my belt for tomorrow.

“It helped me get my focus right away because with best-of-three, I know I have to be on my game from the first point. That’s what I took from today’s match and obviously, it is always nice to get that first match to find your marks on the court and just make sure you hit your length.”

Aly Abou Eleinen came through the last men’s match of the afternoon’s action, with a come-from-behind win over compatriot Mazen Gamal, winning 2-1 at La Maison du Squash.

“I have so much respect for Mazen, on and off the court. Not many players can play at that level at his age, and I certainly would to be able to play at that level when I’m his age. And with age, comes so much experience,” Eleinen explained.

“I grew up watching him play, and to me, this is quite a unique situation. I landed from my flight this morning at 11.30 and came straight to the club because I played and lost my semi-final in Madeira, hopped on a  plane, had a 14 hour layover in Frankfurt, couldn’t sleep, then straight here. 

“So I had to rely on my fitness, I’m younger but it’s tricky because it’s best-of-three as well! I just had to fight, till the very end, and I’m glad I got through.

Tomorrow, I’m playing Victor, we know each other quite well from the US College, he was playing for Harvard and I was Penn, so we were rival, same year, and we both finished our studies at the same time!”

Results:
Marie Stephan (FRA) bt Tessa ter Sluis (NED) 2-0: 11-4, 11-4 (14m)
Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt Mazen Gamal (EGY) 2-1: 7-11, 11-8, 11-2 (41m)