Harrogate Open QF: Top Seed Chileshe Survives Scare

Top seed Lwamba Chileshe had to come through a fifth game tie-break against England’s Lewis Doughty to reach the last four in Harrogate.

The pair had only met once before on Tour, in the qualifying rounds of the Squash XL Open in June 2018, with the Kiwi winning in five on that occasion. The same story occurred in Harrogate on Friday evening, but it was a much closer finale this time round.

It was a slow start for Chileshe, as he lost the opening game 11-3, but he fought back well to take the second. Doughty then claimed the third game on a tie-break 13-11, but once again, the New Zealander battled back. The fifth also went to a tie-break, with Doughty having two match balls. However, following a short injury break, Chileshe fought back again to win the fifth 12-10, and to move through to the last four.

He will now face England’s Perry Malik in the semi-finals in Harrogate, after the No.3 seed overcame another Kiwi, in Elijah Thomas. Malik won in straight games, with a second game 13-11 tie-break win being crucial in the victory.

The other last four contest on Saturday will see the younger of the Chileshe brothers, No.2 seed Temwa, also take on English competition. He will face No.4 seed Finnlay Withington, after the pair came through their respective quarter final match-ups.

The semis of the Harrogate Squash Open will take place at Harrogate Sports & Fitness Centre on Saturday, December 10, with the Chileshes taking on Englishmen for places in the final.

Quarter Final Results: Harrogate Squash Open
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt [5] Lewis Doughty (ENG) 3-2: 3-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-2, 12-10
[3] Perry Malik (ENG) bt [8] Elijah Thomas (NZL) 3-0: 11-8, 13-11, 11-7
[4] Finnlay Withington (ENG) bt [6] Alasdair Prost (SCO) 3-1: 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6
[2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt [7] Joel Arscott (NZL) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-8

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, December 10
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) v [3] Perry Malik (ENG)
[4] Finnlay Withington (ENG) v [2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL)