Beecroft Battles Back From The Brink On Day Two Of New Zealand Open

England’s Lucy Beecroft fought back from the brink to beat Aira Azman and reach a maiden PSA World Tour Silver-level quarter-final in the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Women’s Open.

Meanwhile, in the Lucino Vanities New Zealand Men’s Open, England’s Patrick Rooney came from behind to take down compatriot and No.7 seed Adrian Waller.

On a cold court in Tauranga’s Mercury Arena, the attacking instincts of both Beecroft and Azman were rewarded in a fast-paced thriller.

It was 19-year-old Azman who made the quicker start, with the Malaysian settling well as she fired in a number of winners to take the first game 11-8 before Beecroft responded with hard-fought 13-11 and 11-9 wins.

The No.5 seed had a golden opportunity to win it in four games when she earned two match balls at 10-8, but could not convert as Azman forced a fifth game with a 12-10 win.

In a gripping conclusion, Azman came close to recording an upset with match balls at 10-9 and 11-10, but valiant rearguard from Beecroft saw the Englishwoman finally break the deadlock as she clinched the decider 13-11.

“It’s just relief to get through it I think.” Beecroft said afterwards.

“A few match balls up and not converting – I was in a pickle.

“I probably should play like I’m match ball down more often! That’s when I become more disciplined.”

Beecroft’s opponent in the quarter-final will be Nele Gilis, after the Belgian No.1 seed quickly overcame Malaysia’s Wee Wern Low in straight games.

Elsewhere, Aira Azman’s sister, Aifa Azman, edged a tight encounter with France’s Marie Stephan to set up a quarter-final clash with Hong Kong’s Ka Yi Lee, who beat Australia’s Jessica Turnbull in straight games.

In the men’s event, Rooney impressed as he beat one England teammate to set up a quarter-final with another.

World No.30 Waller had the better of the opening exchanges and took the lead with an 11-9win in game one.

Rooney then found the perfect response, going on the attack to wipe out Waller’s lead with an 11-4 win.

The World No.25 kept up the pressure, allowing Waller few opportunities as he completed the comeback with a pair of 11-5 wins. 

Rooney faces No.2 seed Marwan ElShorbagy in the next round after the England No.2 dispatched Canada’s David Baillargeon in straight games.

Elsewhere, Wales’ Joel Makin marked his return from injury with a 3-0 win over Scotland’s Rory Stewart, while France’s Baptiste Masotti swept aside India’s Abhay Singh.

Round two of the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Women’s Open and the Lucino Vanities New Zealand Men’s Open concludes from 13:00 (GMT+13) tomorrow, 7 December, at the Mercury Arena, Tauranga.

Watch the action live on SQUASHTV.

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Results – Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open Women’s RD2:

[1] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Low Wee Wern (MAS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-8 (24m)

[5] Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt Aira Azman (MAS) 3-2: 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 10-12, 13-11 (64m)

[8] Ka Yi Lee (HKG) bt Jessica Turnbull (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (22m)

[4] Aifa Azman (MAS) bt Marie Stephan (FRA) 3-2: 11-9, 11-1, 8-11, 7-11, 11-4 (38m)

Results – Lucino Vanities New Zealand Open Men’s RD2:

[3] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Rory Stewart (SCO) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (48m)

[5] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) bt Abhay Singh (IND) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-1 (24m)

Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt [7] Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-1: 9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 (43m)

[2] Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) bt David Baillargeon (CAN) 3-0: 11-2, 11-7, 11-6 (32m)

Draw – Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open Women’s RD2 (bottom half – to be played 07 December)

[3] Tesni Evans (WAL) v Cheng Nga Ching (HKG)

Malak Khafagy (EGY) v [6] Tomato Ho (HKG)

[7] Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) v Ainaa Amani (MAS)

Saskia Beinhard (GER) v [2] Tinne Gilis (BEL)

Draw – Lucino Vanities New Zealand Open Men’s RD2 (top half – to be played 07 December)

[1] Paul Coll (NZL) v Velavan Senthilkumar (IND)

Timothy Brownell (USA) v [6] Auguste Dussourd (FRA)

[8] Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Ryunosuke Tsukue (JPN)

Raphael Kandra (GER) v [4] Victor Crouin (FRA)