Manitoba Open RD2: Vargas and Bautista Cause Upsets In Five

Mexico’s Leo Vargas and Colombian Edgar Ramirez Bautista both caused upsets on the second day of the Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open in Canada.

Both men came into the competition unseeded and took wins on the opening day to move them into the second round. Mexico’s Vargas then defeated Hong Kong’s Wong Chi Him, the No.7 seed, in the last 16 of the Challenger 10 level tournament on Thursday evening.

The Hongkonger, who is ranked 58 places above Vargas, took a two game lead thanks to winning a tie-break in the second 12-10. From there though, the Mexican was able to fight back to win the third, and then the fourth as well to send the match into a decider. The fifth could have gone either way, but Vargas was able to keep the momentum in his favour to go on and win it 11-7, to book his place in the quarter finals.

The other man to cause a second round upset was Colombia’s Edgar Ramirez Bautista. The World No.175 defeated Welshman Owain Taylor, the No.8 seed, in a five game battle. The Colombian found himself 2-1 behind after the third game, but fought back brilliant to win the last two games by 11-7 scorelines to secure his quarter final place.

Elsewhere, England’s Ben Smith also came from two games down to win in five against Canada’s Liam Marrison, with compatriot Tom Walsh also moving through to the last eight. Top seed Leonel Cardenas and home favourite David Baillargeon are both also safely through to the quarter finals.

The Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open continues on Friday, March 17 with the quarter 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. 

Second Round Results: Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open
[1] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt Diego Gobbi (BRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-1, 11-5 (22m)
Leo Vargas (MEX) bt [7] Wong Chi Him (HKG) 3-2: 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7
[6] Ivan Perez (ESP) bt Benjamin Aubert (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
[3] Andrew Douglas (USA) bt Connor Turk (CAN) 3-0: 14-12, 11-2, 11-3
[4] Ben Smith (ENG) bt Liam Marrison (CAN) 3-2: 11-13, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
[5] Tom Walsh (ENG) bt Mitchell Kahnert (CAN) 3-1: 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-2
Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) bt [8] Owain Taylor (WAL) 3-2: 11-8, 8-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7
[2] David Baillargeon (CAN) bt Joseph White (AUS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-3

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, March 17
[1] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) v Leo Vargas (MEX)
[6] Ivan Perez (ESP) v [3] Andrew Douglas (USA)
[4] Ben Smith (ENG) v [5] Tom Walsh (ENG)
Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) v [2] David Baillargeon (CAN)