Challenger Tour Roundup: Top seeds downed in Toronto, Prott defeats dangerous Elsirty in Poland plus much more

The semi-finalists of the Chronicle Wealth Guilfoyle PSA Squash Classic 2024 were confirmed yesterday at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. All of the top four seeds were defeated on day three of the 9k events the Toronto crowd were treated to shocks and surprises.

Top seed Ibrahim Elkabbani was first to fall as he was defeated by England’s No.6 seed Stuart MacGregor in a 57 minute four game contest. The Egyptian scored the second game to equalise but the Yorkshireman battled back strongly to secure the following two games to move into the last four. He now faces Colombian Juan Torres, who overcame No.4 seeded Mexican Jorge Luis Gomez Dominguez, 3-1.

The bottom half semi-final will be played between inform Welshman Elliot Morris Devred, who comfortable defeated Alejandro Reyes, and Brazil’s Diego Gobbi, who needed five games to move past England’s No.2 seed Perry Malik. The match lasted 67 minutes, with the No.5 seed coming through 11-6 in the deciding game.

Results: Quarter Finals
[6] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) bt [1] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5 (57m)
[9/16] Juan Torres (COL) bt [4] Jorge Luis Gomez Dominguez (MEX) 3-1: 11-3, 8-11, 11-0, 11-5 (41m)
[8] Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) bt [3] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) 3-1: 11-3, 11-5, 5-11, 11-0 (32m)
[5] Diego Gobbi (BRA) bt [2] Perry Malik (ENG) 3-2: 11-9, 5-11, 17-15, 4-11, 11-6 (67m)

Draw: Semi-Finals
[6] Stuart MacGregor (ENG) v [9/16] Juan Torres (COL)
[5] Diego Gobbi (BRA) v [8] Elliott Morris Devred (WAL)

Over in Poland at the PSA Poznan Open 2024, Egypt’s Sohail El Shenawy scored the only seeding upset as he overcame New Zealand’s No.4 seed Elijah Thomas in a 78-minute five-set thriller to advance to the semi-finals. Thomas led 2-1 in the contest but was pegged back by the attacking Egyptian, who went on to win the crucial fifth game 11-8.

Though not an upset on paper, Scotland’s Alasdair Prott claimed a big win over dominant Egyptian Moustafa Elsirty to reach semi-final since September. Former World No.22 Elsirty has been in terrific form of late and was many peoples tip for the title in Poland this week but fell at the hands of the Scotsman in straight games.

The other two victories on day three were home wins for top two seeds Daniel Mekbib and Jakub Solnicky. Mekbib defeated Germany’s Jan Wipperfürth 3-0 whilst Solinicky overcame Sebastiaan Hofman also in straight games.

Results: Quarter Finals
[1] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) bt [9/16] Jan Wipperfürth (GER) 3-0: 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (31m)
[3] Alasdair Prott (SCO) bt [6] Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 (37m)
[9/16] Sohail El Shenawy (EGY) bt [4] Elijah Thomas (NZL) 3-2: 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-8 (78m)
[2] Jakub Solnicky (CZE) bt [7] Sebastiaan Hofman (NED) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-2 (28m)

Draw: Semi-Finals
[1] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) v [3] Alasdair Prott (SCO)
[2] Jakub Solnicky (CZE) v [9/16] Sohail El Shenawy (EGY)

The final four of the Squash Inspire – Men’s Pro Challenger Tour 2024 presented by Play Squash Academy were confirmed yesterday with promising Pakistan player Hamza Khan scoring the only upset, as he beat No.2 seed Seif El-Shenawy in five games.

The World Junior Champion trailed 2-0 to the World No.85 but after clinching a nail-biting third game 12-10, battled back to eat into the legs of the Egyptian and scored the next two games 11-6, 11-5 to complete the comeback and move into the semi-finals in Columbia, USA.

Khan is one of three Pakistan players in the final four, as top seed Muhammad Asim Khan and No.4 seed Muhammad Ashab Irfan also claimed wins in their respective quarter finals to reach the semis. Asim Khan needed 53 minutes and four games to move past USA’s Chris Gordon, playing in his 288th PSA event. Whilst Irfan had a more comfortable victory, beating Jose Gallegos in three games.

The final spot in the last four was guaranteed to be a Guatemalan, as brothers Alejandro and Josue Enriquez squared off. In a topsy-turvy clash, it was younger brother Alejandro who progressed in five games, winning 12-10 in the fifth game.

Results: Quarter Finals
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt [5] Christopher Gordon (USA) 3-1: 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6 (53m)
[3] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [7] Josue Enriquez (GUA) 3-2: 12-10, 11-4, 13-15, 3-11, 12-10 (83m)
[4] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) bt [9/16] Jose Gallegos (CHI) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 (39m)
[9/16] Hamza Khan (PAK) bt [2] Seif El-Shenawy (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-5 (55m)

Draw: Semi-Finals
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) v [3] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA)
[9/16] Hamza Khan (PAK) v [4] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK)

Elsewhere in British Colombia, the quarter finalists of the Underhill Geomatics Sport Central Open 2024 have been decided as round two action came to a close yesterday.

No upsets occurred across the eight matches with all top eight seeds advancing at Sport Central. Only one match was taken to more than three games as USA’s Riya Navani battled back from a game down to defeat Mexican No.1 Diana Garcia in 32 minutes.

Top seed Caroline Fouts and Hannah Craig have set up an exciting quarter final clash as they both came through clashes with Giselle Delgado and Spring Ma. Whilst, No.2 seed Rana Ismail also claimed a 20-minute win to continue her pursuit of the title.

Results: Round Two
[1] Caroline Fouts (USA) bt Giselle Delgado (CHI) 3-0: 12-10, 11-9, 11-7 (31m)
[8] Hannah Craig (IRL) bt Spring Ma (CAN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 (25m)
[7] Riya Navani (USA) bt Diana Gasca (MEX) 3-1: 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (32m)
[3] Alison Thomson (SCO) bt [WC] Hermione Cao (CAN) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 11-7
[4] Lucia Bautista (COL) bt [9/16] Erisa Sano Herring (JPN) 3-0: 11-3, 11-5, 11-6
[5] Jacqueline Peychär (AUT) bt [9/16] Min-Gyeong Heo (KOR) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-8 (23m)
[6] Ching Hei Fung (HKG) bt [9/16] Hayley Ward (RSA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-3, 11-6
[2] Rana Ismail (EGY) bt Ocean Ma (CAN) 3-0: 11-8, 11-2, 11-4 (20m)

Draw: Quarter Finals
[1] Caroline Fouts (USA) v [8] Hannah Craig (IRL)
[7] Riya Navani (USA) v [3] Alison Thomson (SCO)
[4] Lucia Bautista (COL) v [5] Jacqueline Peychär (AUT)
[6] Ching Hei Fung (HKG) v [2] Rana Ismail (EGY)

Over at the Club Euro Sport in Platja de La Pineda, home favourite Hugo Varela upset top seed Martin Svec to gatecrash the quarter finals. The Spaniard produced an impressive performance to down the Czech No.1 in three games, needing just 40 minutes to score the 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 victory.

Ziad Ibrahim was another to upset the seedings on day two as he defeated France’s Melvil Scianimanico to set up an all-Egyptian quarter final with No.4 seed Mohamed Nasser. Ibrahim trailed 2-1 to Scianimanico, but turned the tide with an 11-9 win in game four before completing the win in the fifth game. His quarter final opponent, Nasser, had no such trouble in his RD2 clash as he confidently defeated Scotland’s John Meehan in straight games.

No.2 seed Ivan Perez is the other home player through to the quarter finals after his strong performance againstt Romania’s Hapun Vasile saw him win 3-0. He now faces talented Malaysian Ameeshenraj Chandaran in what is sure to be a tight and entertaining affair.

Results: Round Two
Hugo Varela (ESP) bt [1] Martin Svec (CZE) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (40m)
[7] Robin Gadola (SUI) bt [9/16] Nilo Vidal (ESP) 3-1: 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9 (54m)
[9/16] Ziad Ibrahim (EGY) bt [8] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 3-2: 11-13, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4 (63m)
[4] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) bt John Meehan (SCO) 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 11-8 (28m)
[3] Owain Taylor (WAL) bt [9/16] Pablo Quintana Estevez (ESP) 3-1: 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 (62m)
[6] Sam Buckley (IRL) bt [9/16] Paul Gonzalez (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 (42m)
[5] Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS) bt [9/16] Robertino Pezzota (ARG) 3-1: 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5 (58m)
[2] Ivan Pérez Saavedra (ESP) bt Hapun Vasile (ROM) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (23m)

Draw: Quarter Finals
Hugo Varela (ESP) v [7] Robin Gadola (SUI)
[4] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) v [9/16] Ziad Ibrahim (EGY)
[3] Owain Taylor (WAL) v [6] Sam Buckley (IRL)
[2] Ivan Pérez Saavedra (ESP) v [5] Ameeshenraj Chandaran (MAS)

Action from the WR Sturricks Design and Build Lexden RFC Open 2024 got underway yesterday as sixteen players scored round one wins in the men’s and women’s 3k events.

Scotland’s Andrew Glen scored the only upset on the opening day in the men’s event as he defeated Anthony Rogal in five games. Glen found himself 2-1 down in the round one clash but responded in great style to score the fourth game 11-8 before going on to claim the deciding game 11-4 and advance to the last 16.

Women’s wildcard Lara Newton delighted the Lexton crowd as he claimed a win over Korea’s Shin Yujin. Newton was in fine form and after securing the opening game 11-5, went on to claim the next two games 11-8 to win in straight games.

The top eight seeds join the draw on day two with players looking to book places in the quarter finals.

Results: Men’s Round One
[9/16] JaeJin Yoo (KOR) bt Jamie Carmichael (ENG) 3-1: 10-12, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9
[9/16] Karim Aguib (CAN) bt [WC] Bailey Malik (ENG) 3-2: 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8
Andrew Glen (SCO) bt [9/16] Anthony Rogal (ENG) 3-2: 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4
[9/16] Radu Pena (ROM) bt [WC] Michael Tallentire (ENG) 3-2: 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8
[9/16] Sam Gerrits (NED) bt [WC] Joel Braddock (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 12-10
[9/16] Martin Ross (SCO) bt [WC] Stanley Sykes (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 12-14, 11-7, 11-6
[9/16] Heston Malik (ENG) bt Shamiel Haeyzad (MAS) 3-2: 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6
[9/16] Rory Richmond (SCO) bt Finn Koch (GER) 3-1: 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5

Results: Women’s Round One
[9/16] Breanne Flynn (IRL) bt Stella Kaufmann (SUI) 3-1: 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-6
[9/16] Akari Midorikawa (JPN) bt Jasmine Thirst (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-6
[9/16] Yu Ng Chen (MAS) bt Emily Jones (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 11-5, 12-10
[9/16] Polly Clark (ENG) bt Fareda Rakaybi (EGY) 3-2: 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-13, 11-7
[9/16] Olivia Besant (ENG) bt Reka Kemecsei (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-4, 11-8
[WC] Lara Newton (ENG) bt [9/16] Shin Yujin (KOR) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-8
[9/16] Chloe Foster (WAL) bt [WC] Piper Rose Tatum (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 11-7
[9/16] Jasmin Kalar (ENG) bt Hannah McGugan (IRL) 3-2: 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10

Draw: Men’s RD2
[1] Darren Pragasam (MAS) v [9/16] JaeJin Yoo (KOR)
[7] Aaron Allpress (IRL) v [9/16] Karim Aguib (CAN)
[8] Shamil Wakeel (SRI) v Andrew Glen (SCO)
[4] Will Salter (ENG) v [9/16] Radu Pena (ROM)
[3] Mitchell Kahnert (CAN) v [9/16] Sam Gerrits (NED)
[6] Ryu Jeongmin (KOR) v [9/16] Martin Ross (SCO)
[5] Jared Carter (ENG) v [9/16] Heston Malik (ENG)
[2] Abdelrahman Abdelkhalek (EGY) v [9/16] Rory Richmond (SCO)

Draw: Women’s RD2
[2] Hana Ismail (EGY) v [9/16] Breanne Flynn (IRL)
[8] Nika Urh (SLO) v [9/16] Akari Midorikawa (JPN)
[5] Colette Sultana (MLT) v [9/16] Yu Ng Chen (MAS)
[4] Sofia Aveiro Pita (POR) v [9/16] Polly Clark (ENG)
[3] Ana Munos (FRA) v [9/16] Olivia Besant (ENG)
[7] Katriona Ross (SCO) v [WC] Lara Newton (ENG)
[6] Erin Classen (AUS) v [9/16] Chloe Foster (WAL)
[1] Sofía Mateos (ESP) v [9/16] Jasmin Kalar (ENG)