Tasmanian Open RD2: Both Top Seeds Dumped Out

It was a shocking day at the City of Devonport Tasmanian Open on Thursday, with five seeded players being knocked out of the Challenger 10 level competition, including both top seeds.

England’s Grace Gear came into the women’s draw as the top seed, but she was unable to get past her first match in the competition, as Malaysia’s Ainaa Amani put in an incredible performance to win in straight games. The 20-year-old started strongly to take the first two games quite comfortably, before then sealing the win in three, needing just 26 minutes to advance to the last eight.

She was not the only woman to cause an upset in the second round in Devonport, as another Malaysian, in Yasshmita Jadishkumar, defeated No.4 seed, and Australian No.1, Sarah Cardwell in the opening match of the day. She took a two-game advantage in their contest, but saw the Aussie fight back to send the match into a decider. However, Jadishkumar was able to regroup, winning the fifth game 11-8 to book her spot in the quarters.

In the men’s draw, Switzerland’s Robin Gadola caused the big upset, as he defeated top seed Muhammad Asim Khan in straight games to move through to the last eight of the Challenger 10 level competition. The Swiss player needed just 34 minutes on court to get the job done against the World No.59, booking his place in the quarters where he will face compatriot and No.7 seed Yannick Wilhelmi.

New Zealand’s Temwa Chileshe and Japan’s Ryunosuke Tsukue will also play in the last eight in Devonport after taking surprise wins on Thursday. Chileshe got the better of Malaysia’s No.6 seed Darren Rahul Pragasam, while Tsukue downed No.4 seed Mohammad Syafiq Kamal, and will now face Temwa’s older brother, Lwamba, in the last eight.

The quarter finals of the City of Devonport Tasmanian Open will take place on Friday, September 9, with the last eight in both draws doing battle to try and reach the semis of the Challenger 10 level competition.

Men’s Second Round Results: City of Devonport Tasmanian Open
Robin Gadola (SUI) bt [1] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 (34m)
[7] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) bt Harley Lam (HKG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-6 (31m)
Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt [6] Darren Rahul Pragasam (MAS) 3-2: 8-11, 5-11, 13-11, 11-1, 11-7 (64m)
[3] Addeen Idrakie (MAS) bt Robert Andrew Garcia (PHI) 3-0: 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 (37m)
Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) bt [4] Mohammad Syafiq Kamal (MAS) 3-0: 14-12, 11-5, 11-3 (35m)
[5] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt [WC] Jack Hudson AUS) 3-1: 12-10, 12-10, 3-11, 12-10 (42m)
[8] Chi Him Wong (HKG) bt Manu Paquemar (FRA) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 (28m)
[2] Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) bt Tang Ming Hong (HKG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-2, 12-10 (28m)

Men’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, September 9
Robin Gadola (SUI) v [7] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI)
Temwa Chileshe (NZL) v [3] Addeen Idrakie (MAS)
Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN) v [5] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL)
[8] Chi Him Wong (HKG) v [2] Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG)

Women’s Second Round Results: City of Devonport Tasmanian Open
Ainaa Amani (MAS) bt [1] Grace Gear (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (26m)
[6] Alex Haydon (AUS) bt Urwashi Joshi (IND) 3-0: 11-8, 16-14, 11-9 (26m)
[8] Yee Xin Ying (MAS) bt Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) 3-2: 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9 (42m)
[3] Chan Yiwen (MAS) bt Sehveetrraa Kumar (MAS) 3-0: 11-1, 11-9, 11-5 (21m)
Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) bt [4] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 3-2: 12-10, 11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 11-8 (40m)
[7] Jessica Turnbull (AUS) bt Rachael Grinham (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (22m)
[5] Aira Azman (MAS) bt Ooi Kah Yan (MAS) 3-1: 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6 (26m)
[2] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt Celine Walser (SUI) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-6 (24m)

Women’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, September 9
Ainaa Amani (MAS) v [6] Alex Haydon (AUS)
[8] Yee Xin Ying (MAS) v [3] Chan Yiwen (MAS)
Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS) v [7] Jessica Turnbull (AUS)
[5] Aira Azman (MAS) v [2] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG)