E.M. Noll Classic RD1: Hong Downs Defending Champion Todd

The opening day of the E.M. Noll Classic saw the defending champion knocked out, as Hong Kong’s Tang Ming Hong caused a big upset.

England’s Sam Todd won the crown in 2022, and he came up against the Hongkonger in the opening round of this year’s edition. However, the World No.102 was in rampant form, dropping just twelve points in a commanding 11-1, 11-8, 11-3 victory. The Hongkonger will now take on Egypt’s No.8 seed Seif Shenawy in the quarter finals after the Egyptian defeated USA’s Spencer Lovejoy.

Two Americans are into the last eight of the competition. Top seed Andrew Douglas defeated Hong Kong’s Wong Chi Him, while Christopher Gordon also got the better of an Egyptian, downing Khaled Labib in straight games. Douglas will now take on Egypt’s Ibrahim Elkabbani in the quarters, with Gordon facing off against Spain’s No.2 seed Bernat Jaume.

Last year’s E.M. Noll Classic runner-up, Charlie Lee, got his campaign underway in Philadelphia as well last night, beating compatriot Ben Smith in straight games. He will now take on former World No.14 Zahed Salem for a place in the semi-finals of the Challenger 10 level tournament.

The quarter finals of the E.M. Noll Classic will take place on Friday, February 3. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

First Round Results: E.M. Noll Classic
[1] Andrew Douglas (USA) bt Wong Chi Him (HKG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 (37m)
[7] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) bt Tom Walsh (ENG) 3-1: 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (57m)
[5] Zahed Salem (EGY) bt Joseph White (AUS) 3-1: 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-1 (38m)
[3] Charlie Lee (ENG) bt Ben Smith (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 (28m)
Tang Ming Hong (HKG) bt [4] Sam Todd (ENG) 3-0: 11-1, 11-8, 11-3 (24m)
[8] Seif Shenawy (EGY) bt Spencer Lovejoy (USA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 13-11 (43m)
[6] Christopher Gordon (USA) bt Khaled Labib (EGY) 3-0; 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 (38m)
[2] Bernat Jaume (ESP) bt [WC] Vinicius Leao Rodrigues (BRA) 3-0: 11-1, 11-9, 11-7 (27m)

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, February 3
[1] Andrew Douglas (USA) v [7] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY)
[5] Zahed Salem (EGY) v [3] Charlie Lee (ENG)
Tang Ming Hong (HKG) v [8] Seif Shenawy (EGY)
[6] Christopher Gordon (USA) v [2] Bernat Jaume (ESP)