White Oaks Classic Preview: Sachvie Aiming For Win At Home Club

The White Oaks Court Classic gets underway on Tuesday, October 11, with the Challenger 5 level event returning to St Catharines for the second time this year.

The Czech Republic’s Daniel Mekbib took the title back on April 2, in the 2021-2022 season. He defeated Nick Sachvie in straight games in the final, but the Canadian returns as the top seed this week.

Sachvie will be featuring at his home club, in his home town. He will be aiming to go one better than he was able to six months ago. The Canadian admitted that it would mean a lot for him to take the victory at his home club.

“At the start of the season it’s always good to have a couple events under my belt to feel up to speed. Being back at my home club, I don’t get proper match play leading up to events so now that I’m tested I can say I feel healthy and happy with my squash leading up to this event,” the Canadian explained.

“Every time I step on the court at my home club, I have an added pressure, mainly the one I put on myself to perform and win on the day. At this moment in my career, it would mean a lot to win this event at home as I’m not positive on how many more chance I will have to win a professional event here in the future.”

As well as being on home soil, Sachvie will also have the top seed mantle. However, as much as he has the pressure of being at home, being the leading player in the draw is not something that bothers him as much.

“I am not bothered by being the top seed, I expect myself to perform to my best ability, enjoy the squash and not let any pressures get to me,” he explained.

“The past couple years were full of many hurdles and stresses that I don’t have on my back anymore so if I can relax, focus on myself and just enjoy the squash, then I won’t worry about anything else.

“I haven’t really put myself in some of the best situations with my squash career the past couple years to give it my best go on the tour. If I can be much higher in the rankings then surely I am playing more consistent and high level but I am not looking to compare myself to anyone else.

“At the moment I am just focused on my training and performance at my events the rest of the season. Many good things are on the horizon for me as I start to develop as a coach and shift towards a career there.”

Sachvie will be joined by three compatriots in the top four seeds for the White Oaks Court Classic. Michael McCue, Salah Eltorgman and Liam Marrison will make up the Canadian quartet that will lead the way in the Challenger 5 level tournament this week.

Mexico’s Miled Zarazua and Dutchman Rowan Damming, the reigning World Junior Champion, will also be in action, along with New Zealand’s Elijah Thomas, Colombia’s Santiago Orozco and Japan’s Jason Sano Herring. 15-year-old Arham Izhar will also be in the draw for the tournament, with the Canadian featuring on Tour for the first time. 

The event takes place from Tuesday, October 11 to Saturday, October 15 at the Club at White Oaks in St Catharines, Canada, where home favourite Nick Sachvie is the top seed for the tournament. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: White Oaks Court Classic
[1] Nick Sachvie (CAN) – [Bye]
Reserve v [9/16] Santiago Orozco (COL)
[9/16] Charles De La Riva (CAN) v Reserve
[6] Cory McCartney (CAN) – [Bye]
[5] Miled Zarazua (MEX) – [Bye]
Ali Ud Din (CAN) v [9/16] Mahmoud Abouelleil (EGY)
[9/16] Leo Vargas (MEX) v Jason Sano Herring (JPN)
[3] Salah Eltorgman (CAN) – [Bye]
[4] Liam Marrison (CAN) – [Bye]
Arham Izhar (CAN) v [9/16] Rafi Khan (PAK)
[9/16] Elijah Thomas (NZL) v Tyson Schlle (CAN)
[8] Rowan Damming (NED) – [Bye]
[7] George Crowne (CAN) – [Bye]
Mitchell Kahnert (CAN) v [9/16] Matthew Henderson (CAN)
[9/16] Jayden Shortt (CAN) v Reserve
[2] Michael McCue (CAN) – [Bye]