RC Pro Series: Both No.2 Seeds Out As Finals Set

The semi-finals of the RC Pro Series saw more surprises, with both No.2 seeds being knocked out in the last four.

In the women’s draw, Salma Eltayeb took on compatriot and No.2 seed Kenzy Ayman in the semis. The pair were level after two games, trading 11-6 scorelines. From there though, Eltayeb was able to scrape through both the third and fourth games, winning them both 11-9 to book her spot in the final.

She will now take on the unseeded Ainaa Amani on Saturday afternoon. The young Malaysian downed Egypt’s Haya Ali in four games. She took the opening two games 11-9 and 11-8, but then saw the Egyptian, who claimed her first Tour win earlier this month, fight back to win the third 14-12. 

Amani was able to regroup, and she came through to take the fourth game 11-9 to move through to a third final in 2023. The Malaysian has won her previous two and she will be full of confidence ahead of her debut World Championships in Chicago.

The men’s No.2 seed was also knocked out on Friday evening. Argentina’s Leandro Romiglio got the better of Colombia’s Juan Camilo Vargas in four games to book his place in the final. The Argentine won the opening game 13-11, before doubling his advantage after the second.

Vargas fought back to claim the third quite comfortably, and he had an opportunity to take the match into a decider. However, Romiglio was able to win the fourth on a tie-break 12-10 to book his place in the final in St Louis.

He will take on top seed Cesar Salazar in the final after the Mexican came from behind to beat Pakistan’s Noor Zaman. The Pakistani won the second and third to lead 2-1, but Salazar fought back strongly. The tournament’s top seed won the fourth game 11-6, before a tight deciding game also went his way, winning it 11-9, to advance to the final.

The finals of the RC Pro Series will take place on Saturday, April 29 in St Louis. 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.

Men’s Semi-Final Results: RC Pro Series
[1] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Noor Zaman (PAK) 3-2: 11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9 (66m)
[3] Leandro Romiglio (ARG) bt [2] Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) 3-1: 13-11, 11-1, 4-11, 12-10 (61m)

Men’s Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, April 29
[1] Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [3] Leandro Romiglio (ARG)

Women’s Semi-Final Results: RC Pro Series
Ainaa Amani (MAS) bt Haya Ali (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 11-8, 12-14, 11-9 (37m)
[4] Salma Eltayeb (EGY) bt [2] Kenzy Ayman (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9 (36m)

Women’s Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, April 29
Ainaa Amani (MAS) v [4] Salma Eltayeb (EGY)