Niort Venise Verte QF: Soares Continues Good Form With Knockout Win

Portugal’s Rui Soares caused the big upset on quarter finals day, knocking out home favourite Auguste Dussourd in a five-game to move through to the last four of the Open International Niort Venise Verte.

The Portuguese No.1 took an early lead against the Frenchman at Squash du Marais in Niort, but saw Dussourd fight back to win the second game. The same pattern followed over the next two games, but it was Soares who came through the deciding game to win in five, and to move through to the semi-finals.

He will now face Spaniard Borja Golan, after the former World No.5 overcame the challenge of England’s Ben Smith. Golan took the first couple of games before seeing the Englishman fight back to win the third game. The Spaniard fought through in four to make it into the semis.

The other semi-final will see top seed Baptiste Masotti take on Egypt’s Ibrahim Elkabbani after the pair came through their respective quarter finals. The Egyptian had to fight through a five-gamer against Simon Herbert, while Masotti beat Rory Stewart.

The semi-finals of the Open International Niort Venise Verte will take place on Thursday, November 10, with the last four going head-to-head for places in the final. All the action will be streamed live on their YouTube channel. You can keep up to date with live scores from the event here.

Quarter Final Results: Open International Niort Venise Verte
[1] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt [6] Rory Stewart (SCO) 3-0: 11-9, 11-3, 11-4 (31m)
[7] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) bt Simon Herbert (ENG) 3-2: 11-9, 11-3, 7-11, 0-11, 13-11 (54m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Ben Smith (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8 (49m)
[5] Rui Soares (POR) bt [2] Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 3-2: 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-8 (68m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, November 10
[1] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v [7] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) v [5] Rui Soares (POR)