Batch Open: Solnicky Downs Three Seeds To Win Crown

The Czech Republic’s Jakub Solnicky was the victor at the Batch Open, beating three of the top five seeds en route to the title.

Solnicky came in to the event as part of the 9/16 seeding bracket, and started the Challenger 5 level competition with a victory over New Zealand’s Elijah Thomas, where he dropped just eight points.

The Czech start then defeated the first of those three seeds, getting the better of Welshman Owain Taylor. He downed the No.5 seed in straight games, before then coming up against compatriot Daniel Mekbib in the quarter finals.

Mekbib was the No.2 seed for the tournament, and took the opening game. However, Solnicky then fought through to win the next three games to take the win. That was followed by another 3-1 victory, this time against another unseeded player. He downed Frenchman Maceo Levy in four games in the semis to move through to a first final since 2021.

In the final, Solnicky did battle with Spain’s Ivan Perez. The Spaniard won the opening game 11-4, but the Czech man fought well. He won a tight second game 11-9, before then going on to beat the No.3 seed in four games, to secure the Challenger 5 level crown.

Results: Batch Open
Final
Jakub Solnicky (CZE) bt [3] Ivan Perez (ESP) 3-1: 4-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 (66m)

Semi-Finals
[3] Ivan Perez (ESP) bt Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) 3-1: 11-9, 6-11, 11-3, 12-10 (70m)
Jakub Solnicky (CZE) bt Maceo Levy (FRA) 3-1: 11-4, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9 (51m)

Quarter Finals
Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) 3-0: 11-2, 11-6, 11-3 (26m)
[3] Ivan Perez (ESP) bt [WC] Brice Nicolas (FRA) 3-1: 5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 (54m)
Macéo Levy (FRA) bt [4] Edwin Clain (FRA) 3-2: 9-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 17-15 (65m)
Jakub Solnicky (CZE) bt [2] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) 3-1: 8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (43m)

Second Round
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt Manu Paquemar (FRA) 3-1: 11-2, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7 (41m)
Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt [7] Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) 3-1: 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-2 (64m)
[WC] Brice Nicolas (FRA) bt [8] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) 3-1: 11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7 (51m)
[3] Ivan Perez (ESP) bt Miko Aijanen (FIN) 3-0: 14-12, 16-14, 11-8 (55m)
[4] Edwin Clain (FRA) bt Aqeel Rehman (AUT) 3-2: 11-13, 11-7, 11-6, 11-13, 11-7 (56m)
Maceo Levy (FRA) bt [6] James Peach (ENG) 3-2: 11-0, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6 (51m)
Jakub Solnicky (CZE) bt [5] Owain Taylor (WAL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (41m)
[2] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) bt Chung Yat Long (HKG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (30m)

First Round
Manu Paquemar (FRA) bt Guilherme Melo (BRA) 3-0: 11-8 rtd (8m)
Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt Lowie Delbeke (BEL) 3-1: 10-12, 11-2, 11-3, 11-9 (38m)
[WC] Brice Nicolas (FRA) bt Nicholas Calvert (AUS) 3-2: 11-5, 2-11, 10-12, 14-12, 11-5 (59m)
Miko Aijanen (FIN) bt Paul Gonzalez (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (32m)
Aqeel Rehman (AUT) bt Laouenan Loaec (FRA) 3-1: 11-3, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 (41m)
Maceo Levy (FRA) bt [WC] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 (23m)
Jakub Solnicky (CZE) bt Elijah Thomas (NZL) 3-0: 11-2, 11-2, 11-4 (27m)
Chung Yat Long (HKG) bt [WC] Antoine Riehl (FRA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 11-6 (21m)