Tortola Classic RD1: Chapman Carries Home Hopes Into RD2

On the opening day of the Carey Olsen Tortola Classic, Joe Chapman was the only home survivor as he made his way through to round two of the Challenger 10 event, with all other local players losing out to International opposition.

32-year-old Chapman is a former top 100 ranked player and showed his class to defeat compatriot Rory Thornton, restricting him to just three points in the entire match. Chapman now faces France’s Laszlo Godde for a spot in the quarter finals.

15-year-old Danny Henderson produced an excellent performance against Armando Olgiun but was unable to topple the experienced Mexican despite taking the opening game and holding a game ball in the third game. He lost the fourth game 11-4 to send Olgiun through to face compatriot and No.8 seed Bryan Cueto in the next round.

Egypt’s hot prospect Mohamed Zakaria last featured in PSA action at the El Gouna International Platinum event where he was given a wildcard spot. He lost out to France’s Auguste Dussourd in four games. The 15-year-old has carried that form into this event, needing just 20 minutes to overcome local player Dion Anselm. Zakaria now faces the event’s top seed Bernat Jaume in what is sure to be an exciting match up.

There were also wins for British trio Stephen Hearst, Aaron Allpress and Tino Antonio Mackay Palacios who all overcame local opposition in less than 25 minutes to move into the last 16 of the second Tortola Classic.

The second round of the Carey Olsen Tortola Classic will take place on Wednesday, June 14. You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook.

First Round Results: Carey Olsen Tortola Classic

Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) beat Dion Anselm (IVB) 11-3, 11-1, 11-3 (20 mins)

Armando Olguin (MEX) beat Danny Henderson (IVB) 3-1: 7-11, 11-2, 15-13, 11-4 (37 mins)

Stephen Hearst (NIR) beat Stuart Rau (IVB) 3-0: 11-5, 11-1, 11-3 (21 mins)

Sebastiaan Hofman (NED) beat Oliver Henderson (IVB) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 11-4 (25 mins)

Aaron Allpress (ENG) beat Paul Cowlard (IVB) 3-0: 11-1, 11-1, 11-1 (18 mins)

Joe Chapman (IVB) beat Rory Thornton (IVB) 3-0: 11-1, 11-1, 11-1 (20 mins)

Tino Antonio Mackay Palacios (SCO) bt Zak Jelusic (IVB) 11-6, 11-5, 11-2 (18 mins)

Taylor Carrick (BER) beat Seb Donovan (IVB) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-7 (23 mins)

Second Round Draw: To Be Played Wednesday, June 14

[1] Bernat Jaume (ESP) v Mohamad Zakaria (EGY)

Armando Olguin (MEX) v [8] Bryan Cueto (MEX)

[7] Cory McCartney (CAN) v Stephen Hearst (NIR)

Sebastien Hoffman (NED) v [4] Spencer Lovejoy (USA)

[3] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) v Aaron Allpress (ENG)

Joe Chapman (IVB) v [6] Laszlo Godde (FRA)

[5] Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) v Tino Antonio Mackay Palacios (SCO)

Taylor Carrick (BER) v [2] Andrew Douglas (USA)