Challenger Tour Roundup: Final Set In Galway & Sedky Downs Top Seed in Breda

The final is set at the Garavan’s West of Ireland Open 2024 as Czech’s Viktor Byrtus and England’s Declan James came through contrasting semi-finals in Galway.

Byrtus was first to secure his place in the final after coming through a tight four-game contest with Pakistan’s Noor Zaman. Byrtus scored the first game of the tie, winning 11-9 before Zaman battled back to level the match, winning a nail-biting second 15-13. Tensions were high with both players interacting with the referee numerous times as each point was hard fought. The No.3 seed gained control in the third game and always kept a cushion as he moved through the gears in the last two games. Byrtus came through 11-6, 11-7 to earn a final spot, letting out a roar of passion to show how much it meant.

The other player in the final was guaranteed to be English as Declan James faced former British Junior Open winner Finnlay Withington. Withington was looking to work his tall compatriot into the front corners and put some work into the legs of the 31-year-old. Too many errors were coming from the racket of the young Englishman however which allowed James’ to stay steady and solid to win his points. The pace was extremely high but manageable for James, who after winning the opening two games 11-2, took the third 11-7 to reach the final.

Results: Semi-Finals:
[3] Viktor Byrtus (CZE) bt [6] Noor Zaman (PAK) 3-1: 11-9, 13-15, 11-6, 11-7 (54m)
Declan James (ENG) bt [5] Finnlay Withington (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-2, 11-7 (30m)

Draw: Final
[3] Viktor Byrtus (CZE) v Declan James (ENG)

Over in The Netherlands at the BRESS Breda Open, women’s wildcard Laila Sedky scored another big upset as she downed top seed Kaitlyn Watts in four games to move into the semi-finals.

New Zealand’s Watts took the opening game in the contest 11-8 and looked in good shape to stop the run of the wildcard. A closely contested second game went the way of the American 12-10, which looked to turn the tide in her favour. From there, Sedky was unstoppable, rattling off winner after winner to take the next two games 11-4, 11-3 to score yet another upset and reach the semis.

Sedky joins the rest of the top three seeds as they all came through their respective quarter finals. No.4 seed Léa Barbeau had to battle back from 2-1 down to defeat Ana Munos whilst Tessa ter Sluis and Alison Thomson recorded comfortable 3-0 wins.

All top four seeds were victorious in the mens’ event yesterday making for an exciting semi-finals day today. Top seed Yassin Elshafei recovered from a game down to defeat Nigeria’s Adegoke Onaopemipo in 39 minutes and now plays Belgium’s Joeri Hapers, who defeated fellow European Nilo Vidal In four games.

The bottom semi-final will be played between Egypt’s Mohamed Nasser and No.2 seed Rowan Damming as the pair defeated surprise quarter finalist Joshua Phinera and No.7 seed Jose Gallegos.

Results: Men’s Quarter Finals
[1] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) bt [5] Adegoke Onaopemipo (NGR) 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 (39m)
[4] Joeri Hapers (BEL) bt [8] Nilo Vidal (ESP) 3-1: 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-2 (45m)
[3] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) bt [9/16] Joshua Phinera (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (35m)
[2] Rowan Damming (NED) bt [7] Jose Gallegos (CHI) 3-1: 11-7, 6-11, 11-5, 11-0 (61m)

Draw: Men’s Semi-Finals
[1] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) v [4] Joeri Hapers (BEL)
[2] Rowan Damming (NED) v [3] Mohamed Nasser (EGY)

Results: Women’s Quarter Finals
[WC] Laila Sedky (USA) bt [1] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) 3-1: 8-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-3 (37m)
[3] Tessa ter Sluis (NED) bt Fleur Maas (NED) 3-0: 11-3, 11-9, 11-5 (25m)
[4] Léa Barbeau (FRA) bt [6] Ana Munos (FRA) 3-2: 11-6, 9-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-1 (42m)
[2] Alison Thomson (SCO) bt Tamara Holzbauerová (CZE) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 11-5 (32m)

Draw: Women’s Semi-Finals
[WC] Laila Sedky (USA) v [3] Tessa ter Sluis (NED)
[2] Alison Thomson (SCO) v [4] Léa Barbeau (FRA)