Challenger Events
Nash Cup: Eltorgman Springs Upset as Fouts Cruises Through
Local wild card Salah Eltorgman sprung the biggest surprise on day one of the Nash Cup in Canada, beating England’s Tom Walsh to reach round two.
Eltorgman – ranked 64 places below his opponent at 140 in the world – dropped the first game 11-5 but came roaring back to win in four, setting up a second-round showdown with the in-form Nick Wall.
England’s Finnlay Withington avoided the same fate as his compatriot Walsh, easing past another Canadian wild card in the form of Mitchell Kahnert, while the USA’s Spencer Lovejoy – the highest-ranked men’s player featuring on day one – came out on top of a mouthwatering, four-set battle with Liam Marrison, sealing victory with a 15-13 win in game five.
In the women’s draw, Nikki Todd came out on top of an all-Canadian matchup with Amal Izhar.
Todd’s win was the only Canadian success in the women’s draw on day one, with seven home hopefuls crashing out.
Among the players to deny the home crowd more success was 18-year-old American Caroline Fouts, who showcased her talents with a comfortable victory over Hannah Guthrie. Fouts only dropped seven points across three games and will now face World No.19 Hollie Naughton in round two.
Results: Men’s Round One
[9/16] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) bt Cory McCartney (CAN) 3-0: 7-11, 6-11, 8-11 (25m)
[9/16] Jeremias Azaña (ARG) bt Connor Turk (CAN) 3-0: 11-9, 11-2, 11-2 (26m)
Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) bt [9/16] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 (34m)
[9/16] Edwin Clain (FRA) bt Aqeel Rehman (AUT) 3-2: 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6 (52m)
[9/16] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) bt Liam Marrison (CAN) 3-1: 11-6, 3-11, 8-11, 13-15 (48m)
[9/16] Finnlay Withington (ENG) bt [WC] Mitchell Kahnert (CAN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (24m)
Dillon Huang (USA) bt [9/16] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) 3-1: 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9 (56m)
[WC] Salah Eltorgman (CAN) bt [9/16] Tom Walsh (ENG) 3-1: 5-11, 9-11, 11-8, 5-11 (62m)
Draw: Men’s Round Two
[1] Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) v Daniel Mekbib (CZE)
Jeremias Azaña (ARG) v [7] Bernat Jaume (ESP)
[8] Andrew Douglas (USA) v Sanjay Jeeva (MAS)
Edwin Clain (FRA) v [4] Faraz Khan (USA)
[3] David Baillargeon (CAN) v Spencer Lovejoy (USA)
Finnlay Withington (ENG) v [6] Rui Soares (POR)
[5] Curtis Malik (ENG) v Dillon Huang (USA)
[WC] Salah Eltorgman (CAN) v [2] Nick Wall (ENG)
Results: Women’s Round One
[9/16] Caroline Fouts (USA) bt Hannah Guthrie (CAN) 3-0: 3-11, 1-11, 3-11 (17m)
Nikki Todd (CAN) bt Amal Izhar (CAN) 3-0: 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 (16m)
[9/16] Wen Li Lai (MAS) bt Holly Delavigne (CAN) 3-0: 6-11, 1-11, 4-11 (18m)
[9/16] Riya Navani (USA) bt Iman Shaheen (CAN) 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 (23m)
[9/16] Karina Tyma (POL) bt Sara Khan (CAN) 3-0: 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 (15m)
[9/16] Sofía Mateos (ESP) bt [9/16] Niki Shemirani (CAN) 3-2: 12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 3-11 (41m)
[9/16] Alina Bushma (UKR) bt Catherine Giachino (CAN) 3-0: 11-1, 11-4, 11-2 (17m)
Draw: Women’s Round Two
[1] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Caroline Fouts (USA)
Nikki Todd (CAN) v [8] Saran Nghiem (ENG)
[6] Cindy Merlo (SUI) v Wen Li Lai (MAS)
Laura Tovar (COL) v [3] Kenzy Ayman (EGY)
[4] Salma Eltayeb (EGY) v Riya Navani (USA)
Karina Tyma (POL) v [7] Diana Garcia (MEX)
[5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) v Sofía Mateos (ESP)
Alina Bushma (UKR) v [2] Lucy Turmel (ENG)
