Berkhamsted Open SFs: Nghiem Upsets Mead to Reach Title Decider

England’s World No.91 Saran Nghiem booked her place in the fourth PSA final of her career after she upset World No.76 Alicia Mead in the semi-finals of the Berkhamsted Linksap Open, PSA Challenger 5 event last night.

The Manchester-born 19-year-old bowed out in the last 16 of this event last year, but produced a fine performance at the Berkhamsted LT & SRC to complete an 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 victory against her higher-ranked compatriot.

Her final opponent will be top seed Torrie Malik, the woman she lost to in the opening round of last year’s event.

Malik, also 19, will compete in her 13th PSA final and is looking to improve on last year’s quarter-final finish. The World No.70 overcame Egyptian No.4 seed Nour Heikal by an 11-6, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8 scoreline in their semi-final match.

The men’s final will see 2021 winner Ben Coleman face off against fellow Englishman James Peach in what will be their second meeting on the PSA Tour, with Peach winning their only match so far back in 2021 at the Sutton Coldfield International.

Top seed Coleman earned his spot in the title decider after dispatching No.5 seed Perry Malik – older brother of Torrie – in straight games to reach his 22nd PSA final.

Meanwhile, Peach required five games to overcome Welsh No.3 seed Emyr Evans, eventually pulling through 11-5, 10-12, 5-11, 11-4, 4-11 to secure a place in his seventh PSA final.

The finals of the Linksap Berkhamsted Open will be played from 14:00 (GMT+1). Watch the action live on the PSA Challenger Tour YouTube Channel.

You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

Results – Men’s Semi-Finals: 2023 Berkhamsted Linksap Open

[1] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [5] Perry Malik (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 (43m)

[2] James Peach (ENG) bt [3] Emyr Evans (WAL) 3-2: 5-11, 12-10, 11-5, 4-11, 11-4 (67m)

Draw – Men’s Final: To Be Played July 9th

[1] Ben Coleman (ENG) v [2] James Peach (ENG)

Results – Women’s Semi-Finals: 2023 Berkhamsted Linksap Open

[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [4] Nour Heikal (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8 (38m)

[3] Saran Nghiem (ENG) bt [2] Alicia Mead (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 (28m)

Draw – Women’s Final: To Be Played July 9th

[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) v [3] Saran Nghiem (ENG)