Hyder Trophy QF: Shocks Galore On Quarter Finals Day

The quarter finals of the Hyder Trophy threw up several surprises in New York City, with three unseeded players among those through to the semis.

Among them was American Lucie Stefanoni, who delighted the home crowds to reach the last four. She took on Singaporean No.1, and the women’s No.7 seed, Au Yeong Wai Yhann, on Friday evening.

Stefanoni won the opening game on a tie-break, 12-10, before then doubling her advantage in the contest. Yhann, who appeared as a wildcard at the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open earlier this year, then pulled one back by winning the third. However, the American would not be denied, and she made her way into the semis thanks to a four-game victory.

She will now take on another unseeded player in the semi-finals. Egypt’s Haya Ali and Austria’s Jacqueline Peychar both took down seeds on day one, and the Egyptian followed it up by defeating Peychar in straight games. Ali, who won her first Tour title last month, dropped just 12 points in a convincing 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 win.

The other semi-final in the women’s draw will see India’s Akanksha Salunkhe and Mexican No.1 Diana Garcia do battle. Garcia got the better of No.4 seed Alicia Mead in a tight three-game battle, while the Indian downed Australia’s Alex Haydon to advance. 

In the men’s event, only top seed Yassin Elshafei has made it to the semis from the original top four seeds. The Egyptian, who has won two of his last three tournaments, defeated compatriot Mohamed Nasser 11-5, 11-3, 11-6 to book his place in the last four.

He will now take on Muhammad Ashab Irfan in the semis. The Pakistani defeated compatriot Noor Zaman in a clash between two unseeded players on Friday. Irfan found himself behind after three games, but fought back brilliantly to win the fourth and fifth to turn the match around in his favour.

Israel’s Daniel Poleshchuk downed No.2 seed Aly Hussein in one of the big surprises on Friday. The Egyptian had reached two finals in April and was in good form, but three game scores of 11-8 went the way of the Israeli No.1 Poleshchuk will now face Malaysia’s Sanjay Jeeva in the semis, after he defeated No.4 seed Ivan Perez, fighting back from a game down to win in four.

The Hyder Trophy continues on Saturday, May 6 with the semi-finals of the Challenger 10 level competition. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Men’s Quarter Final Results: Hyder Trophy
[5] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) bt [2] Aly Hussein (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-8
[8] Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) bt [4] Ivan Perez (ESP) 3-1: 3-11, 11-9, 11-8, 13-11
Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) bt Noor Zaman (PAK) 3-2: 4-11, 15-13, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7
[1] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) bt [7] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-6

Men’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, May 6
[5] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) v [8] Sanjay Jeeva (MAS)
Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) v [1] Yassin Elshafei (EGY)

Women’s Quarter Final Results: Hyder Trophy
Haya Ali (EGY) bt Jacqueline Peychar (AUT) 3-0: 11-3, 11-3, 11-6
Lucie Stefanoni (USA) bt [7] Au Yeong Wai Yhann (SGP) 3-1: 12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7
[5] Diana Garcia (MEX) bt [4] Alicia Mead (ENG) 3-0: 12-10, 11-8, 11-8
[2] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) bt [6] Alex Haydon (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-6

Women’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, May 6
Haya Ali (EGY) v Lucie Stefanoni (USA)
[5] Diana Garcia (MEX) v [2] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND)