Harrogate Open RD1: Chileshes Lead Seeds Into Quarters

The opening day of the Harrogate Squash Open saw all eight seeds safely move through to the quarter finals of the Challenger 3 level competition.

The Harrogate Sports & Fitness Centre is playing host to the last event in England of 2022, and there were no surprises in Thursday’s action.

Top seed Lwamba Chileshe did have to fight his way through the opening day, though. He fell behind to Spain’s Pablo Quintana Estevez, losing the first game 11-8, but was able to fight back strongly. The Kiwi claimed the second game 11-2, before winning the third on a tie-break. That was crucial, as he kept the momentum in his favour to win the fourth as well to book his quarter final spot.

He will be joined in the last eight by younger brother Temwa, who defeated Frenchman Laouenan Loaec in straight games. Two more New Zealanders, in Joel Arscott and Elijah Thomas, both also seeded for the competition, made their way into the quarter finals as well, with the latter overcoming compatriot Mason Smales in four games.

Elsewhere, the English trio of Lewis Doughty, Finnlay Withington and Perry Malik all safely advanced to the last eight, with Scotland’s Alasdair Prott rounding out the quarter final line-up.

The quarter finals of the Harrogate Squash Open will take place on Friday, December 9 at the Harrogate Sports & Fitness Centre, with the last eight going head-to-head for places in the semi-finals on Saturday.

First Round Results: Harrogate Squash Open
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt Pablo Quintana Estevez (ESP) 3-1: 8-11, 11-2, 12-10, 11-6
[5] Lewis Doughty (ENG) bt Aaron Allpress (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-7
[8] Elijah Thomas (NZL) bt Mason Smales (NZL) 3-1: 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 11-2
[3] Perry Malik (ENG) bt Vinicius Leao Rodrigues (BRA) 3-1: 11-7, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9
[4] Finnlay Withington (ENG) bt Josh Rowley (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-5
[6] Alasdair Prott (SCO) bt Jonah Bryant (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-7
[7] Joel Arscott (NZL) bt Rob Thirst (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-2
[2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt Laouenan Loaec (FRA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-8

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, December 9
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) v [5] Lewis Doughty (ENG)
[8] Elijah Thomas (NZL) v [3] Perry Malik (ENG)
[4] Finnlay Withington (ENG) v [6] Alasdair Prott (SCO)
[7] Joel Arscott (NZL) v [2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL)