BRESS Breda Open QF: Top Two Seeds In Both Draws Out

It was a surprising day at the BRESS Breda Open in the Netherlands, with the top two seeds in both draws being knocked out of the competition.

In the women’s event, American Riya Navani took on Dutchwoman Tessa ter Sluis. The top seed was playing on home soil, but found herself behind after three games. She then won the fourth on a tie-break but Navani regrouped to then clinch the victory, as she downed the top seed to reach the last four.

In the bottom half of the draw, Scotland’s Katriona Allen got the better of No.2 seed Taba Taghavi to cause an upset. The Scot came through in straight games, winning with an 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 scoreline, to make the semi-finals of the Challenger 5 level competition.

Egypt and Ireland will be the other two nations represented in the semis of the women’s event. Haya Ali defeated compatriot Amina El Rihany in straight games, while Irish No.1 Breanne Flynn also won in three. She defeated home hope Sanne Veldkamp to make the last four.

In the men’s draw, Scotland’s Alasdair Prott downed top seed Robin Gadola in four games. The Scot was two games to the good, before the Swiss man took the third to pull one back. The fourth game went to a tie-break, but it was Prott that came through it 12-10 to book his place in the semi-finals. He will now take on Ireland’s Sam Buckley, after the No.4 seed won an all-Irish clash with compatriot Sean Conroy.

The other semi-final will see two surprise participants. India’s Velavan Senthilkumar defeated No.2 seed Elliott Morris Devred in straight games, while Hong Kong’s Chung Yat Long also won in three, getting the better of No.3 seed Jakub Solnicky.

The semis of the BRESS Breda Open will take place on Saturday, April 15, with the final four in both draws going head-to-head. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Men’s Quarter Final Results: BRESS Breda Open
[5] Alasdair Prott (SCO) bt [1] Robin Gadola (SUI) 3-1: 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 12-10 (47m)
[4] Sam Buckley (IRL) bt [10] Sean Conroy (IRL) 3-0: 11-9, 15-13, 11-8 (50m)
[11] Chung Yat Long (HKG) bt [3] Jakub Solnicky (CZE) 3-0: 11-7, 11-1, 11-6 (35m)
[6] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) bt [2] Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 (40m)

Men’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, April 15
[5] Alasdair Prott (SCO) v [4] Sam Buckley (IRL)
[11] Chung Yat Long (HKG) v [6] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND)

Women’s Quarter Final Results: BRESS Breda Open
[7] Riya Navani (USA) bt [1] Tessa ter Sluis (NED) 3-2: 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-13, 11-5 (55m)
[4] Breanne Flynn (IRL) bt [6] Sanne Veldkamp (NED) 3-0: 11-8, 12-10, 11-9 (45m)
[3] Haya Ali (EGY) bt [13] Amina El Rihany (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 (35m)
[5] Katriona Allen (SCO) bt [2] Taba Taghavi (FRA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (40m)

Women’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, April 15
[7] Riya Navani (USA) v [4] Breanne Flynn (IRL)
[3] Haya Ali (EGY) v [5] Katriona Allen (SCO)