Pittsburgh Open: El Hammamy and Walker Pull Off Surprises in Round One

Egyptian qualifier Karim El Hammamy pulled off a shock result to knock out tournament top seed Alan Clyne, whilst World No.141 Alister Walker defeated World No.39 Campbell Grayson as the main draw of the Three Rivers Capital Pittsburgh Open got under way.

World No.70 El Hammamy – who had beaten Pakistan’s Shahjahan and United States Dylan Cunningham to come through qualifying – was in strong form to come from a game down to see off Scotland’s World No.28 Clyne by an 4-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 scoreline in a mammoth 86-minute encounter between the pair.

The Egyptian will now face Wales’ World No.41 Joel Makin in the quarter-finals after he defeated Egyptian qualifier Shehab Essam in straight games.

Tournament wildcard Walker also enjoyed success on day one of the main draw, defeating New Zealand’s World No.39 Grayson in four games.

The 35-year-old – who is ranked at No.141 in the world – came from a game behind to win 9-11, 11-8, 11-2, 14-12 and secure a quarter-final berth. Walker will line up against Hong Kong’s Tsz Fung Yip – who beat Indian qualifier Ramit Tandon – for a place in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere in round one, England’s Nathan Lake saw off Welsh qualifier Peter Creed in straight games to reach the quarter-finals where he will now take on Hong Kong’s Max Lee, who defeated Finland’s Olli Tuominen in round one by an 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 scoreline.

Meanwhile, England’s World No.51 Ben Coleman will line up against United States World No.50 Todd Harrity in the quarter-finals after they saw off Qatar’s Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi and England’s Richie Fallows, respectively.

Results – Round One
[Q] Karim El Hammamy (EGY) bt [1] Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-1: 4-11, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 (86m)
Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [4] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 3-1: 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 (48m)
[7] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt [Q] Peter Creed (WAL) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 (42m)
[6] Joel Makin (WAL) bt [Q] Shehab Essam (EGY) 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-3 (54m)
[3] Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) bt [Q] Ramit Tandon (IND) 3-2: 11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 6-11, 12-10 (62m)
[2] Max Lee (HKG) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (45m)
[8] Todd Harrity (USA) bt Richie Fallows (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (45m)
[WC] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [5] Campbell Grayson (NZL) 3-1: 9-11, 11-8, 11-2, 14-12 (44m)

Draw – Quarter-finals: To be played January 26
[Q] Karim El Hammamy (EGY) v [6] Joel Makin (WAL)
[8] Todd Harrity (USA) v Ben Coleman (ENG)
[3] Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) v [WC] Alister Walker (BOT)
[7] Nathan Lake (ENG) v [2] Max Lee (HKG)