HSC International: Avila Secures Fifth Win Of Year

Mexico’s Alfredo Avila became only the second player to win five times on the Challenger Tour in 2022, as he claimed the HSC International Squash Open title.

The Mexican came into the tournament as the No.3 seed, and having won four times already in 2022. After receiving a bye through the opening round, Avila then started his campaign in the last 16 with a win against compatriot Carlos Vargas in straight games.

He then got the better of Canadian Connor Turk in the quarter finals, before then defeating No.2 seed Andrew Douglas in the last four. He overcame a strong challenge from the American to win in four games, and to move through to a ninth final of the year.

Avila then took on top seed Muhammad Asim Khan in the final of the competition, and unfortunately, the Pakistani had to retire hurt due to a knee injury. This allowed the Mexican to secure his fifth title of 2022, and his biggest yet.

Results: HSC International Squash Open
Final
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt [1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) 3-0: 11-7, 11-3, 7-1 rtd (17m)

Semi-Finals
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt [8] Andres Herrera (COL) 3-1: 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6 (45m)
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt [2] Andrew Douglas (USA) 3-1: 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7 (43m)

Quarter Finals
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt [WC] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 (41m)
[8] Andres Herrera (COL) bt [4] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) 3-1: 11-5, 12-10, 3-11, 11-7 (67m)
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt [7] Connor Turk (CAN) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (23m)
[2] Andrew Douglas (USA) bt [6] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) 3-1: 11-4, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4 (50m)

Second Round
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) bt Allan Nunez (MEX) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (29m)
[WC] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt [5] Tom Walsh (ENG) 3-1: 11-5, 4-11, 12-10, 11-9 (58m)
[8] Andres Herrera (COL) bt Liam Marrison (CAN) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (38m)
[4] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) bt Jeremias Azana (ARG) 3-0: 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (55m)
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt Carlos Vargas (MEX) 3-0: 11-5, 11-2 rtd (15m)
[7] Connor Turk (CAN) bt Saeed Abdul (PAK) 3-0: 11-4, 11-0, 11-9 (33m)
[6] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) bt Jamie Ruggiero (USA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-2, 11-8 (30m)
[2] Andrew Douglas (USA) bt Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) 3-2: 6-11, 11-2, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7 (77m)

First Round
Allan Nunez (MEX) bt Muhammad Ibrahim Noorani (PAK) 3-0: 11-3, 11-6, 11-0 (16m)
[WC] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt Asyraf Azan (MAS) 3-1: 11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7 (47m)
Liam Marrison (CAN) bt Salman Rafique (USA) 3-0: 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 (20m)
Jeremias Azana (ARG) bt Chris Fuller (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (32m)
Carlos Vargas (MEX) bt [WC] Arhan Chandra (USA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (22m)
Saeed Abdul (PAK) bt Jorge Gomez (MEX) 3-2: 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8 (52m)
Jamie Ruggiero (USA) bt [WC] Vandrick Inman-Benavente (USA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-3, 11-2 (21m)
Dewald van Niekerk (RSA) bt Faizan Khan (PAK) 3-0: 11-3, 11-8, 11-3 (28m)