Manitoba Open RD1: Canadian Trio Through On Home Soil

The opening day of the Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open saw the Canadian trio of Connor Turk, Liam Marrison and Mitchell Kahnert take victories.

Turk and Marrison both defeated compatriots in the opening round of the Challenger 10 level competition, with the former having to come from behind to defeated Salah Eltorgman. He lost the opening game 11-6, but a second game tie-break went his way, and he had the momentum from there on in.

Meanwhile, Marrison defeated Cory McCartney in straight games, and he needed just 21 minutes to get the job done. The third Canadian to make it through, Mitchell Kahnert, also won in three, getting the better fo American Jamie Ruggiero to book his place.

France’s Benjamin Aubert won the only match to go to five on the opening day. He fought back from two games down against England’s Finnlay Withington to move through to the second round. Brazil’s Diego Gobbi, Mexico’s Carlos Vargas, Colombia’s Edgar Ramirez Bautista and Aussie Joseph White also won their respective first round matches.

The competition continues on Thursday, March 16 with the second round taking place in Manitoba. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

First Round Results: Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open
Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt Amaad Fareed (PAK) 3-1: 6-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 (25m)
Leo Vargas (MEX) bt Mahmoud Abouelleil (EGY) 3-0: 11-2, 11-2, 11-7 (20m)
Benjamin Aubert (FRA) bt Finnlay Withington (ENG) 3-2: 10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (45m)\
Connor Turk (CAN) bt Salah Eltorgman (CAN) 3-1: 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 (50m)
Liam Marrison (CAN) bt Cory McCartney (CAN) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 (21m)
Mitchell Kahnert (CAN) bt Jamie Ruggiero (USA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (25m)
Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) bt Carlos Vargas (MEX) 3-0: 11-2, 13-11, 11-4 (25m)
Joseph White (AUS) bt Shawn DeLierre (CAN) 3-0: 11-2, 11-3, 11-2 (17m)

Second Round Draw: To Be Played Thursday, March 16
[1] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) v Diego Gobbi (BRA)
Leo Vargas (MEX) v [7] Wong Chi Him (HKG)
[6] Ivan Perez (ESP) v Benjamin Aubert (FRA)
Connor Turk (CAN) v [3] Andrew Douglas (USA)
[4] Ben Smith (ENG) v Liam Marrison (CAN)
Mitchell Kahnert (CAN) v [5] Tom Walsh (ENG)
[8] Owain Taylor (WAL) v Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL)
Joseph White (AUS) v [2] David Baillargeon (CAN)