Hong Kong Challenge Cup: Tournament Preview

The only event not taking place in North American this week is the Hong Kong Squash Challenge Cup, which begins on Wednesday, March 15.

The Hong Kong Cricket Club will play host to the Challenger 5 level competition, one that will feature both a men’s and women’s event over the next four days in the Asian nation.

Home favourites will be the top seeds in both draws. Cheng Nga Ching, the World No.79, will be the top seed in the women’s draw. She will be joined in the top eight by compatriots Ching Hei Fung and Toby Tse, along with the Malaysian duo of Ainaa Amani and Ooi Kah Yan.

Egypt’s Menna Walid, Filipino No.1 Jemyca Aribado and Maltese No.1 Colette Sultana will also be in that seeding bracket for the tournament. Korea’s Yura Choe, Singaporean Lim Jee Nee and the Macau duo of Yeung Wai Leng and Gigi Yueng will all be in action.

In the men’s event, World No.99 Tang Ming Hong will be the man to beat, with the Malaysian duo of Darren Rahul Pragasam and Ong Sai Hung as close contenders. Frenchman Toufik Mekhalfi makes up the rest of the top four seeds.

Two more Hongkongers, in Harley Lam and Matthew Lai will also be among the top eight seeds, with Malaysia’s Wee Ming Hock and Hafiz Zhafri joining them in that bracket.

Filipino No.1 Robert Andrew Garcia, German Jan Wipperfurth, Korean Hoony Lee and India’s Pardeep Malik will all be their nation’s one representatives in the men’s draw, while Maceo Levy and Laouenan Loaec will add to the French contingent.

The event takes place from Wednesday, March 15 to Saturday, March 18 at the Hong Kong Cricket Club. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

Men’s First Round Draw: Hong Kong Squash PSA Challenge Cup
[1] Tang Ming Hong (HKG) – [Bye]
[WC] Lo Chun Yu Kelvin (HKG) v [9/16] Bryan Lim Tze Kang (MAS)
[9/16] Maceo Lecy (FRA) v Hoony Lee (KOR)
[7] Wee Ming Hock (MAS) – [Bye]
[6] Matthew Lai (HKG) – [Bye]
Amir Amirul (MAS) v [9/16] Lam Shing Fung (HKG)
[9/16] Andes Ling (HKG) v Wailok To (HKG)
[3] Ong Sai Hung (MAS) – [Bye]
[4] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) – [Bye]
Jan Wipperfurth (GER) v [9/16] Laouenan Loaec (FRA)
[9/16] Ho Ka Hei (HKG) v Pradeep Malik (IND)
[5] Harley Lam (HKG) – [Bye]
[8] Hafiz Zhafri (MAS) – [Bye]
Duncan Lee (MAS) v [9/16] Chung Yat Long (HKG)
[9/16] Robert Andrew Garcia (PHI) v [WC] Lee Tin Hang (HKG)
[2] Darren Rahul Pragasam (MAS) – [Bye]

Women’s First Round Draw: Hong Kong Squash PSA Challenge Cup
[1] Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) – [Bye]
Leung Ka Huen (HKG) v [9/16] Lim Jee Nee (SGP)
[9/16] Wong Po Yui Kirstie (HKG) v Chung Yee Ling Elaine (HKG)
[8] Colette Sultana (MLT) – [Bye]
[6] Menna Walid (EGY) – [Bye]
Helen Tang (HKG) v [9/16] Lam Po Ying (HKG)
[9/16] Heng Wai Wong (MAS) v Mariko Tam (HKG)
[4] Ooi Kah Yan (MAS) – [Bye]
[3] Ching Hei Fung (HKG) – [Bye]
Gigi Yeung (MAC) v [9/16] Yeung Wai Leng (MAC)
[9/16] Wai Sze Wing (HKG) v Wing Hei Jannis Lam (HKG)
[5] Toby Tse (HKG) – [Bye]
[7] Jemyca Aribado (PHI) – [Bye]
Au Ling Yu (HKG) v [9/16]Kwong Ena (HKG)
[9/16] Yura Choe (HKG) v Lo Pui Yin Chloe (HKG)
[2] Ainaa Amani (MAS) – [Bye]