PSA Des Hauts De France – Wam 2023: James Marches On, Whilst Scianimanico & Nicholas Score Upsets

The quarter finalists have been decided in Wambrechies at the PSA Des Hauts De France with three upsets taking place on day two.

England’s former World No.15 Declan James is returning from injury and after a confident round one win over compatriot Noah Meredith, tuned his attention to his last 16 clash with No.4 seed Edwin Clain. The pair played out two hard-fought opening games with James winning the opener before being pegged back by Clain as the Frenchman closed out a tiebreak game 15-13. The Englishman found top form from here however and never looked back as he stormed towards the finish line, winning 11-6, 11-1 in the final two games to advance 3-1.

French duo Melvil Scianimanico and Brice Nicholas produced terrific performances later in the day to score upsets and reach the quarter finals. Scianimanico was up against Maceo Levy in his clash and got off to a great start as he lead 2-0. Levy managed to secure the third game to breathe more life in the contest but it wasn’t enough as Scianimanico regrouped to take game four 11-5.

Nicolas was up against Spain’s Ivan Perez in his last 16 clash. The Frenchman secured an important first game in a tiebreak, winning 14-12. He then found many winners in game two and started to frustrate Perez who wasn’t able to string points together. Game two went to Nicolas 11-6. Despite the Spaniard claiming the third game 11-7, Nicolas was not to be denied as he moved ahead in the fourth game and converted 11-8 to book a spot in the final eight.

Top seeds Juan Camilo Vargas and Bernat Jaume were both victorious in their first appearances of the tournament. Vargas didn’t have things all his own way against wildcard Joshua Phinera but managed to hold off the Frenchman’s comeback to win in four games. Jaume needed just three games to see off Switzerland’s David Bernet but all three games were closely fought as Jaume won 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 in 49 minutes.

Results: Round Two
[1] Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) bt [WC] Joshua Phinera (FRA) 3-1: 11-8, 11-7, 13-15, 12-10 (60m)
[6] Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) bt Baptiste Bouin (FRA) 3-1: 8-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-5 (32m)
[8] Valentin Rapp (GER) bt [9/16] Ondrej Vorlícek (CZE) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 13-11 (45m)
[9/16] Declan James (ENG) bt [4] Edwin Clain (FRA) 3-1: 11-8, 13-15, 11-1, 11-6 (58m)
[3] Yannik Omlor (GER) bt [9/16] Robert Downer (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 14-12, 11-9 (51m)
[9/16] Brice Nicolas (FRA) bt [5] Ivan Perez (ESP) 3-1: 14-12, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8 (78m)
Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) bt [7] Macéo Lévy (FRA) 3-1: 11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 11-5 (41m)
[2] Bernat Jaume (ESP) bt [9/16] David Bernet (SUI) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (49m)

Draw: Quarter Finals
[1] Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) v [6] Moustafa El Sirty (EGY)
[9/16] Declan James (ENG) v [8] Valentin Rapp (GER)
[3] Yannik Omlor (GER) v [9/16] Brice Nicolas (FRA)
[2] Bernat Jaume (ESP) v Melvil Scianimanico (FRA)