Challenger Tour Weekly Preview: Action From Hungary, Iran & Switzerland

In the same week that the PSA World Tour returns for the first time in three months, the PSA Challenger Tour continues, with three events taking place, across Europe and Asia.

For the second time this year, the Challenger Tour will see an event held in Iran, while both Switzerland and Hungary are hosting events for the first time this calendar year.

The tournaments in Iran and Hungary are domestic-only events, while the 2nd Sylvester Trophy, which will take place in Switzerland, will feature cross-border participation.

2nd Sylvester Trophy
Players currently residing in Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Liechtenstein were allowed to enter the 2nd Sylvester Trophy, which will take place at the Squash Arena in Uster, Switzerland.

Six nationalities will be represented in the draw, with the top four seeds all hailing from different countries. The top seed is Japan’s Ryosei Kobayashi, the World No.70, while Austria’s World No.89 Aqeel Rehman is the No.2 seed. Switzerland’s Robin Gadola and Germany’s Valentin Rapp will also be aiming to battle it out for the title.

Liechtenstein and France will also be represented in the tournament, with David Maier from the former, while the trio of Paul Gonzalez, Baptiste Bouin and Laszlo Godde play under the ‘Tricolore’.

Zarbaf Farahan Squash Tournament
For the second time in as many months, the Challenger Tour has an event held on Iran soil, with the Zarbaf Farahan Squash Tournament taking place this week.

The event is only for Iranian nationals, with the field mainly the same as it was for the Commemoration Of The Martyrs Of The Iranian Navy Army in February.

Top seed for this week’s event, Sajad Zareian Jahromi, was the victor in Tehran last month, and will be aiming to take another win at the same venue.

SquashBerek Open
The last event of the week will be held in Hungary, with the SquashBerek Open, a Challenger 3 level tournament, taking place in Tatabanya.

The event is limited to domestic-only participation, meaning only Hungarians can enter. World No.90 Farkas Balazs, a five-time winner on the Challenger Tour, will be the top seed for the men’s draw, while Hannah Chukwu will head up the women’s event.

This Week’s Schedule
Zarbaf Farahan Squash Tournament: Wednesday 10 – Friday 12
2nd Sylvester Trophy: Thursday 11 – Sunday 14
SquashBerek Open: Saturday 13 – Sunday 14