Romanian Open RD1: Prott Secures Sole Upset Win

Scotland’s Alasdair Prott took the only surprise win of the opening day at the Romanian Open, as he downed No.4 seed Sean Conroy.

The Challenger 5 level competition got underway at the VIVO Cluj-Napoca in Romania on Thursday, and Prott was the lone Scotsman in the draw for the tournament.

He took on former Irish No.1 Sean Conroy in the first round, and he came through in straight games. The second game was crucial for Prott to maintain the momentum, as it was tight throughout. He was able to clinch the win 11-9 in that second, before also going on to take the third game as well, to move through to the last eight.

The Scot will now take on one of two Spaniards in the quarter finals, in No.5 seed Marc Lopez. Nilo Vidal is the other Spanish player into the last eight, after he defeated Austria’s Lukas Windischberger. Top seed Ben Smith and Welshman Elliott Morris Devred are the other two Brits through in Cluj-Napoca.

They will be joined by a trio of Czech players in the quarter finals. No.2 seed Marek Panacek won in straight games, while No.7 seed David Zeman had to go the distance in his clash with Polish No.1 Filip Jarota. Ondrej Vorlicek will complete the quarter finals line-up in Romania.

The Romanian Open continues on Friday, November 18 with the quarter finals of the Challenger 5 level competition taking place. You can keep up to date with live scores from VIVO Cluj-Napoca here.

First Round Results: Romanian Open
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) bt Cristian Balogh (ROM) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 (21m)
[7] David Zeman (CZE) bt Filip Jarota (POL) 3-2: 13-11, 6-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-8 (65m)
[8] Nilo Vidal (ESP) bt Lukas Windischberger (AUT) 3-0: 11-7, 13-11, 11-6 (28m)
[3] Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) bt Manu Paquemar (FRA) 3-1: 7-11, 14-12, 11-2, 11-6 (55m)
Alasdair Prott (SCO) bt [4] Sean Conroy (IRL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (32m)
[5] Marc Lopez (ESP) bt Bogdan Vasile (ROM) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-5 (27m)
[6] Ondrej Vorlicek (CZE) bt Joel Arscott (NZL) 3-1: 17-15, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 (57m)
[2] Marek Panacek (CZE) bt Maceo Levy (FRA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 (30m)

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, November 18
[1] Ben Smith (ENG) v [7] David Zeman (CZE)
[8] Nilo Vidal (ESP) v [3] Elliott Morris Devred (WAL)
Alasdair Prott (SCO) v [5] Marc Lopez (ESP)
[6] Ondrej Vorlicek (CZE) v [2] Marek Panacek (CZE)