Eastside Open SF: Finalists Set In Hobart

The finals are set at the Eastside Open in Hobart, Australia, with New Zealand’s Temwa Chileshe and Switzerland’s Robin Gadola in the men’s event, while the Hong Kong duo of Cheng Nga Ching and Ching Hei Fung will do battle in the women’s final.

All four semi-finals were won in straight games, and New Zealand’s Chileshe took on Malaysia’s No.9 seed Bryan Lim Tze Kang, and dropped just four points across the opening two games of the contest. The third game was much closer, going all the way to a tie-break, but it was the Kiwi who took the win 14-12, to book his spot in the final.

The second men’s semi-final saw Switzerland’s Robin Gadola and another New Zealander, in Elijah Thomas, do battle for a place in the final. The Swiss man won the first 11-9, before then needing to take the second on a tie-break 13-11. That second game victory kept the momentum in Gadola’s favour, and he went on to win in three.

Women’s top seed Cheng Nga Ching kept her flawless run in the tournament going, as she overcame the challenge of No.6 seed Riffat Khan in straight games. The Hongkonger dropped just seven points throughout the contest, and did not allow the Pakistani to get into any sort of rhythm whatsoever, winning 11-4, 11-2, 11-1 in just 13 minutes.

She will now face compatriot and No.3 seed Ching Hei Fung in the final of the Eastside Open on Sunday afternoon after her fellow Hongkonger defeated Australia’s No.7 seed Maggy Marshall, also in straight games. Fung won the first 11-4, and continued to be in control from that point onwards to win in three to book her spot in the final.

The finals of the 2022 Eastside Open will take place on Sunday, September 18 at the Eastside Squash Centre in Hobart, Australia, as Temwa Chileshe and Robin Gadola aim for glory in the men’s event, while Hong Kong’s Cheng Nga Ching and Ching Hei Fung aim to take the women’s title home.

Men’s Semi-Final Results: Eastside Open
[3] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt [9] Bryan Lim Tze Kang (MAS) 3-0: 11-3, 11-1, 14-12 (34m)
[2] Robin Gadola (SUI) bt [16] Elijah Thomas (NZL) 3-0: 11-9, 13-11, 11-5 (43m)

Men’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, September 18
[3] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) v [2] Robin Gadola (SUI)

Women’s Semi-Final Results: Eastside Open
[1] Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) bt [6] Riffat Khan (PAK) 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 11-1 (13m)
[3] Ching Hei Fung (HKG) bt [7] Maggy Marshall (AUS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 11-6 (21m)

Women’s Final Draw: To Be Played Sunday, September 18
[1] Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) v [3] Ching Hei Fung (HKG)