Lagos Squash Classic SF: Fathy and Svec Down No.2 Seeds

The semi-finals of the Lagos State Squash Classic saw both No.2 seeds beaten, as Martin Svec and Malak Fathy caused upsets.

In the women’s event, No.5 seed Malak Fathy downed France’s Lea Barbeau to advance to the final. The Egyptian had already caused one seeding upset after beating No.4 seed Rofiat Abdulazeez in straight games in the quarter finals.

On Friday in Lagos, she came up against Barbeau, the No.2 seed for the women’s event. After falling behind early, the Egyptian won two tight games, including the third on a tie-break, to lead 2-1. The Frenchwoman fought back to win the fourth, but Fathy was too strong in the fifth and final game, taking it 11-9 to book her place in the final.

In the men’s draw, the Czech Republic’s Martin Svec got the better of Egypt’s Mazen Gamal to reach the final in Lagos. He lost the opening game comprehensively, but a second game tie-break went his way 13-11, and with it, the momentum changed in the contest. He then went on to win both the third and fourth comfortably, and is through to the final.

Meanwhile, the tournament’s top seeds, Curtis and Torrie Malik, were both victorious. Curtis got the better of younger brother Perry in the opening men’s semi-final, regrouping after losing the second game 11-5 to go on to win in four games. He will now take on Svec in the men’s final on Saturday.

Meanwhile, women’s top seed Torrie came through her semi-final in straight games. She got the better of Nigerian No.1, and the last remaining home hope, Busayo Olatunji, in straight games, with a second game tie-break win going her way.

The finals of the Lagos State Squash Classic will take place on Saturday, May 13 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Men’s Semi-Final Results: Lagos State Squash Classic
[1] Curtis Malik (ENG) bt [4] Perry Malik (ENG) 3-1: 14-12, 5-11, 1-6, 11-5 (35m)
[3] Martin Svec (CZE) bt [2] Mazen Gamal (EGY) 3-1: 4-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-5 (49m)

Men’s Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, May 13
[1] Curtis Malik (ENG) v [3] Martin Svec (CZE)

Women’s Semi-Final Results: Lagos State Squash Classic
[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [3] Busayo Olatunji (NGR) 3-0: 11-5, 14-12, 11-2 (25m)
[5] Malak Fathy (EGY) bt [2] Lea Barbeau (NGR) 3-2: 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9 (49m)

Women’s Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, May 13
[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) v [5] Malak Fathy (EGY)