3rd Guatemala Open Preview: Khan Aiming For Consistency At Big Events

The 3rd Guatemala Open Squash Tournament begins on Wednesday, with the Asociación Deportiva Nacional de Squash playing host for the third time in a four week spell to the Challenger Tour.

The Challenger 10 level tournament has been regionally restricted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with only those currently based in North, Central and South America being allowed to enter the competition.

Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas, the man that took the crown at the 2nd Guatemala Open Squash Tournament earlier this month, will be the event’s top seed, as he aims to win for a second time in December.

Compatriot Alfredo Avila, whom Cardenas beat in that final, will also be amongst the top seeds, with Colombia’s Ronald Palomino and Matias Knudsen in the draw as well.

USA’s Faraz Khan will be the No.2 seed for the tournament, and we spoke to the American ahead of the event, and he admits that he is not sure where his game is right now.

“To be honest, I’m really not quite sure, but I’m not majorly concerned anyways. I just had a great training stint in Spain after coming off some perceived misfortunes,” he explained.

Khan has played at several major tournaments in 2021, including at the PSA World Championships in Chicago, but he was not quite at his best to trouble his opponents.

“Unfortunately, in most those big matches I wasn’t in prime condition to perform due to various factors,” he admitted.

“I do understand a result is indeed such, and people can say what they want, but at the end of the day the only thing that matters is how you know you can perform and that takes deep introspection.”

Khan currently sits at World No.57, and although he is close to making it into the world’s top 50, his goal is more aimed at playing in major tournaments more, rather than focusing on his ranking.

“I think guys in the top 100 can perform at a much higher standard than past seasons for sure and I think there are far more factors at play with rankings than most would consider,” the American explained.

“I’m rather just hoping to make bigger events more consistently, ideally based solely on consistently of standard and not the other multitude of variables at play.”

The event takes place from Wednesday 15 to Sunday 19 at the Asociación Deportiva Nacional de Squash in Guatemala. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: 3rd Guatemala Squash Open Tournament
[1] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) – [Bye]
Armando Olguin (MEX) v [9/16] Salah Eltorgman (CAN)
[9/16] Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) v Jose Mendez (GUA)
[8] Josue Enriquez (GUA) – [Bye]
[6] Matias Knudsen (COL) – [Bye]
Andres Villamizar (COL) v [9/16] Rodolfo Vega (MEX)
[9/16] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) v Bryan Cueto (MEX)
[4[ Ronald Palomino (COL) – [Bye]
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) – [Bye]
Mauricio Sedano (GUA) v [9/16] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA)
[9/16] Liam Marrison (CAN) v Francesco Marcantonio (PAR)
[5] Connor Turk (CAN) – [Bye]
[7] Allan Nunez (MEX) – [Bye]
Sebastian Fonseca (GUA) v [9/16] Ricardo Toscano (GUA)
[9/16] Darosham Khan (CAN) v [WC] Luis Quisquinai (GUA)
[2] Faraz Khan (USA) – [Bye]