Tasmanian Open: Wildcard Hudson Into Round Two

The City of Devonport Tasmanian Open got underway on Wednesday afternoon at the Devonport Squash Club in Tasmania, Australia, and wildcard Jack Hudson took the big upset win on the opening day.

Hudson, one of three wildcards in the men’s event at the Challenger 10 level competition, took on Malaysia’s Ong Sai Hung in the first round of the tournament, and was in control on home soil throughout the early stages, taking a two-game lead. The Malaysian fought back, though, to win the next two to send the match into a decider but Hudson recovered, and won the fifth 11-3 to book his place in the last 16 of the event.

He was not the only surprise winner in the men’s draw, with France’s Manu Paquemar also knocking out higher-ranked opposition. The Frenchman took on Pakistan’s Zahir Shah and was in control throughout the match, winning in straight games in just 19 minutes to advance to the second round in Devonport.

There were no surprises in the women’s event, with a couple of late withdrawals prior to the tournament starting meaning that there were only five matches on day one. Former World No.1 Rachael Grinham was one of those in action, and she dropped just five points in her match against Pakistan’s Noor ul Huda on route to the last 16.

The second round of the City of Devonport Tasmanian Open will take place on Thursday, September 8, with the seeded players coming into the draw in the last 16 of the Challenger 10 level competition.

Men’s First Round Results: City of Devonport Tasmanian Open
Robin Gadola (SUI) bt Chung Yat Long (HKG) 3-1: 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9 (43m)
Harley Lam (HKG) bt Nicholas Calvert (AUS) 3-1: 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7 (48m)
Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt [WC] Jamie Pattison (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (20m)
Robert Andrew Garcia (PHI) bt Bryan Lim Tze Kang (MAS) 3-2: 11-7, 12-10, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7 (63m)
Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) bt [WC] Benjamin Hudson (AUS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (18m)
[WC] Jack Hudson (AUS) bt Ong Sai Hung (MAS) 3-2: 11-5, 11-6, 8-11, 3-11, 11-3 (51m)
Manu Paquemar (FRA) bt Zahir Shah (PAK) 3-0: 11-8, 11-9, 11-5 (19m)
Tang Ming Hong (HKG) bt Joel Arscott (NZL) 3-0: 11-5, 11-9, 11-7 (33m)

Men’s Second Round Draw: To Be Played Thursday, September 8
[1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) v Robin Gadola (SUI)
Harley Lam (HKG) v [7] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI)
[6] Darren Rahul Pragasam (MAS) v Temwa Chileshe (NZL)
Robert Andrew Garcia (PHI) v [3] Addeen Idrakie (MAS)
[4] Mohammad Syafiq Kamal (MAS) v Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN)
[WC] Jack Hudson (AUS) v [5] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL)
[8] Chi Him Wong (HKG) v Manu Paquemar (FRA)
Tang Ming Hong (HKG) v [2] Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG)

Women’s First Round Results: City of Devonport Tasmanian Open
Urwashi Joshi (IND) bt Riffat Khan (PAK) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (15m)
Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS) bt Aiman Shahbaz (PAK) 3-0: 11-3, 11-5, 11-4 (11m)
Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) bt Maggy Marshall (AUS) 3-1: 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9 (22m)
Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Noor ul Huda (PAK) 3-0: 11-5, 11-0, 11-0 (20m)
Celine Walser (SUI) bt Grace Pattison (AUS) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (15m)

Women’s Second Round Draw: To Be Played Thursday, September 8
[1] Grace Gear (ENG) v Ainaa Amani (MAS)
Urwashi Joshi (IND) v [6] Alex Haydon (AUS)
[8] Yee Xin Ying (MAS) v Cheng Nga Ching (HKG)
Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS) v [3] Chan Yiwen (MAS)
[4] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) v Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS)
Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [7] Jessica Turnbull (AUS)
[5] Aira Azman (MAS) v Ooi Kah Yan (MAS)
Celine Walser (SUI) v [2] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG)