MRU Open RD1: Withington Leads English Quartet Through

The MRU Open kicked off on Thursday at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada, and England’s Finnlay Withington secured one of three surprise wins.

The Englishman, who was part of the nation’s team to win the WSF World Junior Team Championships in 2022, took on Mexico’s Alfredo Avila in the first round. Avila was the No.4 seed, and already had several wins to his name this season.

However, from the off it was the young Englishman that took control of the contest. He won the first 11-8, and although the Mexican fought back to win the second, Withington regained his composure and focus, to go on to secure victory in four games, to book his spot in the quarter finals.

He will now take on fellow Englishman Simon Herbert, after the No.6 seed defeated Canadian Connor Turk, dropping just 12 points across the three games. Ben Smith and Curtis Malik made it four English players into the last eight of the tournament, thanks to wins over Welshman Emyr Evans and Canadian wildcard Brett Schille, respectively.

Withington was not the only unseeded player to take a surprise victory, as both Australia’s Joseph White and Frenchman Edwin Clain knocked out American opposition on day one.

White came up against No.5 seed Christopher Gordon in the opening round, and a first game tie-break went his way. That was crucial as he then opened up a two game lead, and despite the American winning the third, White was able to close out the win in four to advance.

Clain took on No.7 seed Spencer Lovejoy on Thursday evening, and his match followed the same pattern as White’s. The Frenchman won the opening two games, and then had to focus after Lovejoy claimed the third. However, he did so, with Clain moving through to the last eight.

The other two men to win on the opening day were top seed David Baillargeon and the in-form Abhay Singh. Canada’s No.1 defeated compatriot Cory McCartney, while Singh, who has a Tour-leading five victories this season, downed Jamie Ruggiero, with both winning in straight games.

The quarters of the MRU Open will take place in Calgary on Friday, February 24. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook. 

Action from Calgary is being streamed throughout the week on the MRU Squash Club Facebook page. Live scores are available on the PSA World Tour website here.

First Round Results: MRU Open
[1] David Baillargeon (CAN) bt Cory McCartney (CAN) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (29m)
[8] Ben Smith (ENG) bt Emyr Evans (WAL) 3-1: 7-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (50m)
Joseph White (AUS) bt [5] Christopher Gordon (USA) 3-1: 12-10, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6 (47m)
[4] Abhay Singh (IND) bt Jamie Ruggiero (USA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 11-6 (24m)
Finnlay Withington (ENG) bt [3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) 3-1: 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 (41m)
[6] Simon Herbert (ENG) bt Connor Turk (CAN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 (22m)
Edwin Clain (FRA) bt [7] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) 3-1: 11-8, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7 (65m)
[2] Curtis Malik (ENG) bt [WC] Brett Schille (CAN) 3-0: 11-7, 11-1, 11-3 (25m)

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, February 24
[1] David Baillargeon (CAN) v [8] Ben Smith (ENG)
Joseph White (AUS) v [4] Abhay Singh (IND)
Finnlay Withington (ENG) v [6] Simon Herbert (ENG)
Edwin Clain (FRA) v [2] Curtis Malik (ENG)