MRU Open QF: Seeds All Move Through To Semis

After some surprising results on the opening day in Calgary, the seeds all took wins on quarter finals day at the MRU Open on Friday.

Top seed and home favourite David Baillargeon booked his place in the last four wit a confident performance to overcome England’s Ben Smith. The Englishman started well, but the Canadian No.1’s experience shone through, and he was able to win in straight games to book his semi-final spot.

He will now face India’s Abhay Singh, after the five-time winner on Tour this year got the better of Australian Joseph White. Singh, who has been in unbelievable form on the Challenger Tour this season, took a tight first game 11-9, and that was crucial, as he then went on to win in three to move through to another semi-final.

The other match in the last four at Mount Royal University on Saturday afternoon will be between two Englishmen. No.2 seed Curtis Malik overcame the challenge of Edwin Clain in a tight three-game battle. Both of the opening two games went to tie-breaks, with Malik scraping through them 13-11 and 12-10, before winning the third 11-6 to book his semi-final spot.

He will now take on No.6 seed Simon Herbert in the semis, after he came through an all-English battle with Finnlay Withington. Herbert was behind after the opening game, but then found himself 2-1 up. The English junior then fought back to win the fourth 11-1, but Herbert showed his class, claiming the fifth game 11-8 to advance.

The semi-finals of the MRU Open will take place on Saturday, February 25, with the last four going head-to-head to reach the finals on Sunday afternoon in Calgary. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook.

Action from Calgary is being streamed throughout the week on the MRU Squash Club Facebook page. Live scores are available on the PSA World Tour website here.

Quarter Final Results: MRU Open
[1] David Baillargeon (CAN) bt [8] Ben Smith (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 (39m)
[4] Abhay Singh (IND) bt Joseph White (AUS) 3-0: 11-9, 11-3, 11-9 (38m)
[6] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt Finnlay Withington (ENG) 3-2: 7-11, 11-7, 11-8, 1-11, 11-8 (50m)
[2] Curtis Malik (ENG) bt Edwin Clain (FRA) 3-0: 13-11, 12-10, 11-6 (38m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, February 25
[1] David Baillargeon (CAN) v [4] Abhay Singh (IND)
[6] Simon Herbert (ENG) v [2] Curtis Malik (ENG)