Manitoba Open QF: Perez Joins Top Three Seeds In Semis

Spain’s Ivan Perez is into the last four of the Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open after overcoming the challenge of No.3 seed Andrew Douglas on Friday evening.

The Spaniard, who is the No.6 seed for the competition, was able to get the job done in straight games but it wasn’t easy. The opening two games went to tie-breaks. Perez was able to clinch the first 15-13, before then taking the second game 14-12 to double his advantage in the contest. He then won the third more comfortably to advance to the semis with a straight games win.

Perez will now take on the tournament’s top seed, Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas, in the last four on Saturday. The World No.25 defeated compatriot Leo Vargas in the last eight, in a three-game win that included a bagel 11-0 in the second.

The other semi-final will see England’s Ben Smith take on Canadian No.1 David Baillargeon. Smith came through a titanic tussle with compatriot Tom Walsh, one he came from behind to win in five games. Meanwhile, the home favourite defeated Colombia’s Edgar Ramirez Bautista in straight games.

The semis of the Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open will be played on Saturday, March 18, and you can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Quarter Final Results: Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open
[1] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt Leo Vargas (MEX) 3-0: 11-3, 11-0, 11-9 (24m)
[6] Ivan Perez (ESP) bt [3] Andrew Douglas (USA) 3-0: 15-13, 14-12, 11-7 (34m)
[4] Ben Smith (ENG) bt [5] Tom Walsh (ENG) 3-2: 11-9, 3-11, 3-11, 11-5, 12-10 (65m)
[2] David Baillargeon (CAN) bt Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 (22m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, March 18
[1] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) v [6] Ivan Perez (ESP)
[4] Ben Smith (ENG) v [2] David Baillargeon (CAN)