Challenger Events

HSC International Preview: Douglas Still Figuring Out This Level

29 November 2022

The HSC International Squash Open is the last of three tournaments taking place on the Challenger Tour this week, with the action getting underway on Wednesday, November 30.

This will be the third Challenger Tour event to be held at the venue, with France’s Victor Crouin and Mexico’s Arturo Salazar having had a win apiece in Houston over the last couple of years.

This time round, Pakistan’s Muhammad Asim Khan will be the top seed for the Challenger 10 level event, but the USA’s Andrew Doulas will be the highest ranked player.

The American moved up to a career-high of World No.52 following a run to the quarter finals at the Robertson Lodges New Zealand Open, and he is proud of the way he was able to deal with being away from home for a prolonged period of time, to also produce the level of squash that he did.

“I am figuring out the sport at this level little by little. At the moment, I feel like my mentality is allowing all the hard work to pay off, which is all I can ask for.,” he explained.

“Going into those events [in Australia and New Zealand], I was worried about how I would manage the discomfort of living on the road for a month. My biggest takeaway, looking back, is that I have the adaptability to perform under different circumstances and find a way of playing well.”

He will be back on American soil this week, and home soil at that. He is excited to be doing so, especially with the home crowd behind him.

“I love playing in the U.S. Squash in the U.S attracts a very diverse audience from varying fields, who are typically engaging and passionate people. This will be my first trip to Houston, so I am excited to experience its vibrant community.”

Douglas goes into the HSC International Squash Open as the highest-ranked player in the draw, but he is not going to be thinking about that when that glass door closes in Houston this week. He is also not going to be thinking about being at a career-high of World No.52, more just about the squash he is playing.

“I think that if I followed the narrative arc of being the higher-ranked player, imagining that I should perform a certain way because of that fact, I would not be able to play my best. With this narrative being where the mind so often goes, recognising that pattern is the best chance I have of playing well this week,” the American said.

“I am very grateful to play squash at a high level still. Of course, I want to improve, so seeing my ranking go up would be a welcome development. That said, whether I am World No.52, 25, 2, or 5, my day-to-day life, goals, and priorities will remain the same.”

Douglas will be joined by compatriot Spencer Lovejoy amongst the top eight seeds for this tournament, with Mexico’s Alfredo Avila, who lost out in the final to Salazar in July at this very venue, also in action.

Canadian Nick Sachvie, England’s Tom Walsh, Egyptian Ibrahim Elkabbani and Pakistan’s Muhammad Ashab Irfan will be the rest of the top eight seeds. South Africa’s Dewald van Niekerk and Argentine Jeremias Azana, both of whom have won on Tour this season, will also be in action.

The HSC International Squash Open will also see the debut of the youngest player currently on Tour. Egypt’s Mohamad Zakaria will be 15 years and 69 days old when he takes to the court on the opening day of the competition, as one of the tournament’s three wildcards.

The event takes place from Wednesday, November 30 to Sunday, December 4 at the Houston Squash Club. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: HSC International Squash Open

[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) – [Bye]

Jamie Ruggiero (USA) v [9/16] Allan Nunez (MEX)

[9/16] Andres Herrera (COL) v [WC] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY)

[6] Tom Walsh (ENG) – [Bye]

[5] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) – [Bye]

Reserve v [9/16] Liam Marrison (CAN)

[9/16] Jeremias Azana (ARG) v Hamza Sharif (PAK)

[4] Nick Sachvie (CAN) – [Bye]

[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) – [Bye]

[WC] Arhan Chandra (USA) v [9/16] Muhammad Farhan Hashmi (PAK)

[9/16] Saeed Abdul (PAK) v Salman Saleem (PAK)