Mozart Men’s Open QF: 2019 Champ Aijanen Into Semis

Finland’s Miko Aijanen is through to the semi-finals of this year’s Mozart Open, four years after winning at the same venue in Salzburg, Austria.

The Finn was the victor at the then-called Austrian Open, which was also held at the Europark Shopping Centre in Salzburg. He came back from behind to defeat Englishman Lyell Fuller in the final in June 2019, and he is back on another good run this year.

Aijanen, now the World No.159, took on Israel’s Daniel Poleshchuk in Thursday’s quarter finals. He took the opening game on a tie-break 14-12, before seeing the Israeli fight back to win the second. Despite being 60 places below Poleshchuk in the world rankings, the Finn was able to secure victory, winning the third 11-7 before cruising to the fourth 11-3, booking his place in the last four.

He will now take on the tournament’s top seed, Simon Herbert, in the semis. The Englishman defeated compatriot Robert Downer, the No.8 seed, in straight games in yesterday’s action. Herbert won 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, as he continues his run in his first event as the top seed.

The other semi-final on Friday evening will be a battle between two Swiss players. No.4 seed Yannick Wilhelmi and No.5 seed Robin Gadola will face off for a place in the final. Gadola got the better of home favourite Aqeel Rehman in the last eight, while Wilhelmi defeated the Czech Republic’s Jakub Solnicky.

You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. Live scores are available on the PSA World Tour website here.

Quarter Final Results: Mozart Open (Men’s)
[1] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt [8] Robert Downer (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (34m)
Miko Aijanen (FIN) bt [3] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) 3-1: 14-12, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3 (53m)
[4] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) bt Jakub Solnicky (CZE) 3-1: 11-3, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 (51m)
[5] Robin Gadola (SUI) bt Aqeel Rehman (AUT) 3-0: 13-11, 11-4, 11-6 (35m)

Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, March 31
[1] Simon Herbert (ENG) v Miko Aijanen (FIN)
[4] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) v [5] Robin Gadola (SUI)