Romanian Open Preview: Smith Taking Confidence From Swiss Win

The Romanian Open is one of three Challenger Tour events taking place on European soil this week, with the action beginning on Thursday, November 17.

The VIVO Cluj-Napoca will play host to the Challenger 5 level competition, with an all-glass court being erected in the shopping centre for the four-day event.

England’s Ben Smith will be the top seed in Romania, having recently claimed the Swiss Open crown, his biggest to date. We spoke to the Englishman about that win, and his preparation as the top seed this week.

I currently feel like I am playing good consistent squash which is reflecting in my results. I feel like I’m hitting my targets well and moving freely around court. I am to hoping to continue to do this and hopeful maintain my current form,” Smith said.

“It was a great feeing to claim my biggest title to date a couple of weeks ago and it has given me lots of confidence moving forward into upcoming tournaments.

“My preparation stays the same for every tournament whatever seed I am. It’s always nice to be a high seed but you just have to keep focus on the task and that’s what I aim to do this week being the top seed.”

Thanks to that victory, Smith moved to World No.95, his highest ever World Ranking, and also his first appearance inside the world’s top 100. He has already set his sights on moving even further up the rankings.

“Breaking into the top 100 was an amazing feeling it was one of my biggest targets for this year and to achieve it was massive for me. It’s such a competitive area at the moment so it’s about staying there and moving upwards,” he explained.

“I just want to continue my good form and keep climbing the rankings. By the end of the season, I aim to be in the top 75 in the world.”

Smith’s nearest challengers for the title will be Czechian Marek Panacek, Ireland’s Sean Conroy and Welshman Elliott Morris Devred. The Spanish duo of Marc Lopez and Nilo Vidal, along with the Czech pair of Ondrej Vorlicek and David Zeman will make up the rest of the eight seeds for the tournament.

Six more nations will be represented, including host nation Romania. Bogdan Vasile will be the tournament’s wildcard, while Scotland’s Alasdair Prott, New Zealand’s Joel Arscott, Polish No.1 Filip Jarota and Austria’s Lukas Windischberger wil all be their nation’s sole representatives.

The event takes place from Thursday, November 17 to Sunday, November 20 at the VIVO in Cluj-Napoca, where Ben Smith is the top seed for the tournament. Action from the tournament will be streamed live on the Romanian Open website. You can also follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: Romanian Open
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) v Augusto Ortigosa (ESP)
Filip Jarota (POL) v [7] David Zeman (CZE)
[8] Nilo Vidal (ESP) v Lukas Windischberger (AUT)
Manu Paquemar (FRA) v [3] Elliott Morris Devred (WAL)
[4] Sean Conroy (IRL) v Alasdair Prott (SCO)
[WC] Bogdan Vasile (ROM) v [5] Marc Lopez (ESP)
[6] Ondrej Vorlicek (CZE) v Joel Arscott (NZL)
Maceo Levy (FRA) v [2] Marek Panacek (CZE)