Liverpool Cricket Club Open RD1: Jenkins Scores Only Upset On Day One

England’s Miles Jenkins scored the only upset on day one of the Liverpool Cricket Club Open as he overcame Wales’ No.3 seed Emyr Evans as both the men’s and women’s quarter finalists were decided.

In an action-packed day in Merseyside, World No.130 Miles Jenkins secured his place in the last eight in confident style. The 28-year-old was sharp around the middle of the court and played at a fast pace throughout to test Evans’s physicality. The Welshman tried his best to get into the match but some traffic issues and discussions with the referee disrupted any rhythm that he was trying to settle into. After establishing a 2-0 lead, Jenkins motored through from 3-3 to 9-4 in the third game and closed the game out 11-5 to upset the seedings in straight games.

“I’m happy with that, last time I played Emyr, I lost 3-2 so it was nice to get the win.” said Jenkins.

“It’s always tough to play him, it was good hard squash, I played well today, my straight drop was going in well and was causing him problems, I found my length early on and enjoyed that. I was taking him in on the backhand side and getting in front of him so I had to try and get in front and be disruptive, if you leave it loose in the middle he can pick you off.

“I play well when I get in front and volley and I like to do it. It won’t be easy against Owain [Taylor] tomorrow either. He hits strong lines and he’s a strong mover but I feel like if I can play like that tomorrow I’ll have every chance.”

Jenkins will be up against another Welshman in the quarter finals as he takes on Owain Taylor, who took out the 17-year-old local wildcard Cory Harding in straight games. There were also straight games victories for Lwamba Chileshe, Temwa Chileshe and Dewald van Niekerk who defeated Finnlay Withington, Marc Lopez and Nicholas Calvert to move into the quarter finals.

Top seed Ben Smith had to battle hard against fellow Englishman Stuart MacGregor to move into the quarter finals. Despite MacGregor clawing the third game back, Smith remained calm in the hot conditions and comfortably sealed the fourth game 11-3. Smith is joined by English duo Perry Malik and James Peach as they also claimed four-game victories, over Elliot Morris Devred and Alasdair Prott.

In the women’s draw, top-seeded New Zealander Kaitlyn Watts survived a scare in her opening match as she needed all five games to see off a spirited effort from Wales’ Lowri Roberts to advance. After dropping the opening game, Watts responded well to turn the tables and lead 2-1, but Roberts fought back to level the match after hitting several outright winners. The No.1 seed returned to form in the decider however and closed it our 11-2 to book her place in the final eight.

England’s Torrie Malik was another high seed that needed all five games to progress, as she defeated Malaysia’s Yashmita Jadishkumar. It was an all-junior battle as both 18-year-olds tried to impose their strengths on the match and take control. Malik responded well after trailing 2-1 and converted a convincing fourth game 11-4. The Malaysian held the first match ball of the contest but wasn’t able to convert, which opened the door for Malik who took full advantage. She fired in two accurate straight kills to take the fifth game 12-10 and let out an almighty roar of relief upon booking her quarter final place.

Malik is joined by four more British players in the next round as Alison Thomson, Anna Kimberley, Ali Loke and Alicia Mead all scored RD1 wins. As well as Australia’s Alex Haydon and Germany’s Katerina Tycova, who defeated Finland’s Emilia Korhonen and wildcard Katie Cox respectively.

Quarter final action starts at 17:00 (GMT) from Liverpool on Thursday, March 30 with eight semi-final spots up for grabs. Action from Court 3 at the Liverpool Cricket Club will be streamed live on the PSA Challenger Tour YouTube channel, while you will also be able to watch matches on Court 5 here. Keep up to date with live scores from the tournament here.

Men’s First Round Results: Liverpool Cricket Club Open
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) bt Stuart Macgregor (ENG) 3-1: 11-7, 13-11, 10-12, 11-3 (52m)
[6] Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) bt Nicholas Calvert (AUS) 3-0: 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 (31m)
[7] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt Marc Lopez (ESP) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (25m)
[4] James Peach (ENG) bt Alasdair Prott (SCO) 3-1: 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9 (41m)
Miles Jenkins (ENG) bt [3] Emyr Evans (WAL) 3-0: 11-6, 12-10, 11-5 (41m)
[5] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [WC] Cory Harding (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 12-10 (32m)
[8] Perry Malik (ENG) bt Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) 3-1: 6-11, 15-13, 12-10, 11-5 (46m)
[2] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt Finnlay Withington (ENG) 3-0: 13-11, 12-10, 11-4 (41m)

Men’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, March 30
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) v [6] Dewald van Niekerk (RSA)
[7] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) v [4] James Peach (ENG)
Miles Jenkins (ENG) v [5] Owain Taylor (WAL)
[8] Perry Malik (ENG) v [2] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL)

Women’s First Round Results: Liverpool Cricket Club Open
[1] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) bt Lowri Roberts (WAL) 3-2: 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 4-11, 11-2 (38m)
[6] Alison Thomson (SCO) bt Jacqueline Peychär (AUT) 3-0: 11-9, 11-1, 11-7 (27m)
[7] Katerina Tycova (GER) bt [WC] Katie Cox (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 12-10, 11-7 (27m)
[3] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) 3-2: 11-6, 9-11, 7-11, 11-4, 12-10 (41m)
[4] Alex Haydon (AUS) bt Emilia Korhonen (FIN) 3-0: 14-12, 11-8, 11-5 (29m)
[8] Ali Loke (WAL) bt Breanne Flynn (IRL) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-4 (23m)
[5] Anna Kimberley (ENG) bt Polly Clark (ENG) 3-0: 13-11, 11-4, 11-6 (29m)
[2] Alicia Mead (ENG) bt Katriona Allen (SCO) 3-1: 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2 (35m)

Women’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, March 30
[1] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) v [6] Alison Thomson (SCO)
[7] Katerina Tycova (GER) v [3] Torrie Malik (ENG)
[4] Alex Haydon (AUS) v [8] Ali Loke (WAL)
[5] Anna Kimberley (ENG) v [2] Alicia Mead (ENG)