Niort Venise Verte RD1: Panacek Takes All-Czech Clash On Opening Day

The opening day of the Open International Niort Venise Verte saw an all-Czech clash, with Marek Panacek taking down Jakub Solnicky to advance at Squash du Marais.

The Czech pair went head-to-head in the first round of the Challenger 20 level competition, and prior to this contest, Panacek was yet to take a game off his compatriot in their three previous meetings.

It would be different this time round though, as the World No.133 took both of the opening two games by an 11-9 scoreline. Solnicky threatened a comeback by winning the third game 11-5, but Panacek nipped that in the bud quickly, allowing his fellow Czechian to score just four points in the fourth game. Panacek will now face the tournament’s top seed, Baptiste Masotti, in the second round on Tuesday.

Panacek will be joined in the last 16 by compatriot Viktor Byrtus, after the World No.108 defeated Welshman Elliott Morris Devred. The pair were level after two games, but the Czechian came through to win the third and fourth games by 11-7 scorelines to book his spot in the second round.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Italian No.1 Yuri Farneti got the better of Englishman Robert Downer in a tense five-game battle. The Italian was 2-1 up after three, but saw Downer fight back to win the fourth 11-4. However, Farneti did not panic, and he returned the favour in the fifth and final game to seal the victory.

A quartet of English players advanced from the opening day’s action in Niort. Simon Herbert, James Peach, Ben Smith and Tom Walsh all won in straight games, and will be joined in the second round by Israeli No.1 Daniel Poleshchuk, who defeated wildcard Laouenan Loaec in straight games.

The second round of the Open International Niort Venise Verte will take place on Tuesday, November 8, with the seeded players coming into the draw. You can keep up to date with live scores from the Challenger 20 level event here.

First Round Results: Open International Niort Venise Verte
Marek Panacek (CZE) bt Jakub Solnicky (CZE) 3-1: 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-4 (49m)
Tom Walsh (ENG) bt Sandeep Ramachandran (IND) 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (29m)
James Peach (ENG) bt Manu Paquemar (FRA) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-2 (24m)
Simon Herbert (ENG) bt Joeri Hapers (BEL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 (26m)
Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) bt [WC] Laouenan Loaec (FRA) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-6 (22m)
Ben Smith (ENG) bt [WC] Paul Gonzalez (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 (39m)
Viktor Byrtus (CZE) bt Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) 3-1: 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7 (44m)
Yuri Farneti (ITA) bt Robert Downer (ENG) 3-2: 4-11, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 11-4 (66m)

Second Round Draw: To Be Played Tuesday, November 8
[1] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v Marek Panacek (CZE)
Tom Walsh (ENG) v [6] Rory Stewart (SCO)
[7] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) v James Peach (ENG)
Simon Herbert (ENG) v [4] Declan James (ENG)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) v Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR)
Ben Smith (ENG) v [8] Ivan Perez (ESP)
[5] Rui Soares (POR) v Viktor Byrtus (CZE)
Yuri Farneti (ITA) v [2] Auguste Dussourd (FRA)