Challenger Tour Roundup: Zaman Downs Top Seed In Galway, Sedky Marches On In Breda

In the all Pakistani clash in the Garavan’s West of Ireland Open quarter finals, it was the younger of the two Noor Zaman who came through to defeat compatriot and top seed Muhammad Asim Khan in four games.

The two players are travelling and rooming together which can make things quite difficult mentally when stepping onto court. Zaman handled this the better of the two and after losing the opening game 11-9, responded strongly to win 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 to earn a place in the semi-finals. His opponent will be Czech’s Viktor Byrtus, who comfortably despatched compatriot Jakub Solnicky in straight games to book his spot in another semi-final on the Challenger Tour.

An all-english semi-final will take place in the bottom half of the draw tonight as the returning Declan James and former British Junior Open winner Finnlay Withington both secured places in the last four. James was leading against Czech’s Daniel Mekbib 2-1 but the talented left-hander was forced to withdraw after the third game, sending James through.

Another silky performance from a very smooth Withington followed. James Peach was pushing high up the T to try deal with the ridiculously short balls Withington was putting in and using some deft touches himself to level the match at one all. But when Withington was holding, delaying and creating options with effortless ease, it became too much for Peach to deal with. A very enjoyable watch for the GLTC crowd.

Results: Quarter Finals
[6] Noor Zaman (PAK) bt [1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 (62m)
[3] Viktor Byrtus (CZE) bt [8] Jakub Solnicky (CZE) 11-1, 11-6, 11-6 (32m)
Declan James (ENG) bt [7] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) 9-11, 11-5, 11-2 ret.
[5] Finnlay Withington (ENG) bt [9/16] James Peach (ENG) 11-4, 4-11, 11-3, 11-1 (35m)

Draw: Semi-Finals
[6] Noor Zaman (PAK) v [3] Viktor Byrtus (CZE)
[5] Finnlay Withington (ENG) v Declan James (ENG)

Over in the Netherlands, the quarter finalists of the Brest Breda Open 2024 have been decided after an entertaining day two concluded.

France’s Joshua Phinera scored the only upset in the men’s event as he took out home player Sebastiaan Hofman in straight games. Phinera took a close opener 12-10 before settling into his stride to win the next two games 11-7, 11-5 and move into the final eight.

Former World Junior Champion Rowan Damming was competing in his first PSA event since November 2023 yesterday and despite dropping a game, looked to have shaken the rust off as he stormed to victory 3-1 over France’s Antonin Romieu.

In the women’s event, American wildcard Laila Sedky continued her fantastic form as she overcame No.8 seeded Australian Erin Classen in four games. Sedky gained the advantage early by leading 1-0 but a quality game from Classen levelled the tie. Sedky found top form from here though and motored through to victory winning 11-3, 11-6 in the final two games.

National star Fleur Maas scored a big win over Switzlerand’s Ambre Allinckx to reach the quarter finals. Maas was in complete control throughout the three-game contest and made life very difficult for the Swiss in all areas of the court.

Results: Men’s Round Two
[1] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) bt Will Salter (ENG) 3-1: 13-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-5 (62m)
[5] Adegoke Onaopemipo (NGR) bt Mitchell Kahnert (CAN) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 (22m)
[8] Nilo Vidal (ESP) bt Manuel Paquemar (FRA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 12-10 (33m)
[4] Joeri Hapers (BEL) bt Rene Mijs (NED) 3-0: 11-1, 11-6, 11-7 (19m)
[3] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) bt Blessing Muhwati (ZIM) 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 11-8 (30m)
Joshua Phinera (FRA) bt [6] Sebastiaan Hofman (NED) 3-0: 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (38m)
[7] Jose Gallegos (CHI) bt Theis Houlberg (DEN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-9 (34m)
[2] Rowan Damming (NED) bt Antonin Romieu (FRA) 3-1: 11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5 (61m)

Draw: Men’s Quarter Finals
[1] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) v [5] Adegoke Onaopemipo (NGR)
[4] Joeri Hapers (BEL) v [8] Nilo Vidal (ESP)
[3] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) v Joshua Phinera (FRA)
[2] Rowan Damming (NED) v [7] Jose Gallegos (CHI)

Results: Women’s Round Two
[1] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) bt Renske Huntelaar (NED) 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4 (34m)
[WC] Laila Sedky (USA) bt [8] Erin Classen (AUS) 11-7, 6-11, 11-3, 11-6 (41m)
Fleur Maas (NED) bt [5] Ambre Allinckx (SUI) 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 (20m)
[3] Tessa ter Sluis (NED) bt Karolina Sramkova (CZE) 11-1, 5-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8 (47m)
[4] Léa Barbeau (FRA) bt Emilia Korhonen (FIN) 11-6, 11-3, 7-11, 11-6 (29m)
[6] Ana Munos (FRA) bt Chloe Foster (WAL) 11-5, 11-1, 12-10 (21m)
Tamara Holzbauerová (CZE) bt [7] Maria Tovar (COL) 11-3, 11-7, 12-10 (30m)
[2] Alison Thomson (SCO) bt Mariam Ashraf (EGY) 11-6, 11-3, 11-7 (26m)

Draw: Women’s Quarter Finals
[1] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) v [WC] Laila Sedky (USA)
[3] Tessa ter Sluis (NED) v Fleur Maas (NED)
[4] Léa Barbeau (FRA) v [6] Ana Munos (FRA)
[2] Alison Thomson (SCO) v Tamara Holzbauerová (CZE)