HSC International RD2: Wildcard Zakaria Continues Knockout Run

Wildcard Mohamad Zakaria caused a second upset in as many days, as he defeated England’s Tom Walsh to make the last eight of the HSC International Squash Open.

The 15-year-old, who is making his first appearance on Tour this week, got the better of Malaysia’s Asyraf Azlan in the opening round on Wednesday evening, to set up a meeting with Walsh in the last 16 on Thursday.

The young Egyptian won the opening game 11-5, but saw the Englishman claim the second game 11-4 to level the contest. A third game tie-break was crucial in determining the winner of the match, with Zakaria claiming it 12-10. He then went on to win the fourth as well to claim yet another surprise victory.

He will now face off against the tournament’s top seed, Pakistan’s Muhammad Asim Khan. The World No.61 made his way into the last eight after beating Mexico’s Allan Nunez in straight games.

The tightest contest of the day was the opening match, as No.2 seed Andrew Douglas, the highest-ranked player in the draw, had to go the distance to defeat Dewald van Niekerk. The South African fought back from 2-1 down, winning the fourth on a tie-break 12-10. However, it was Douglas who claimed the win, securing the fifth game 11-7.

Douglas will now face Pakistan’s Muhammad Ashab Irfan in the quarters, while the American will be joined in the last eight by compatriot Spencer Lovejoy, who will face off against Colombia’s Andres Herrera. Mexico’s Alfredo Avila and Canadian Connor Turk will do battle in the other last eight contest.

The quarter finals of the HSC International Squash Open will take place on Friday, December 2, with the last eight aiming to reach Saturday’s semi-finals at the Houston Squash Club.

Second Round Results: HSC International Squash Open
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt Allan Nunez (MEX) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (29m)
[WC] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [5] Tom Walsh (ENG) 3-1: 11-5, 4-11, 12-10, 11-9 (58m)
[8] Andres Herrera (COL) bt Liam Marrison (CAN) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (38m)
[4] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) bt Jeremias Azana (ARG) 3-0: 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (55m)
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt Carlos Vargas (MEX) 3-0: 11-5, 11-2 rtd (15m)
[7] Connor Turk (CAN) bt Saeed Abdul (PAK) 3-0: 11-4, 11-0, 11-9 (33m)
[6] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) bt Jamie Ruggiero (USA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-2, 11-8 (30m)
[2] Andrew Douglas (USA) bt Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) 3-2: 6-11, 11-2, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7 (77m)

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, November 2
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) v [WC] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY)
[8] Andres Herrera (COL) v [4] Spencer Lovejoy (USA)
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) v [7] Connor Turk (CAN)
[6] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) v [2] Andrew Douglas (USA)