Linksap Berkhamsted Open: Heikal Survives Scare From Compatriot To Secure Clean Sweep For Seeds

Women’s No.4 seed Nour Heikal survived a scare from compatriot Hana Ismail in the Linkap Berhamsted Open as the higher seed was came back from 2-0 down to secure her place alongside the other top four seeds in the semi-finals. A British winner is confirmed in the men’s event as English trio Ben Coleman, James Peach and Perry Malik are joined by Wales’ Emyr Evans in the final four.

Women’s top seed Torrie Malik secured her place in the semi-finals after a four game win over Wales’ Ali Loke. The Welshwoman claimed game two to equalise but the pace and power of Malik was too strong as she stormed through the last two games winning 11-7, 11-2. Her opponent will be Egypt’s Nour Heikal, who as mentioned survived a huge scare to advance. The all Egyptian clash was hit quality throughout and after Hana Ismail took a 2-0 lead, an upset looked likely. Heikal had other ideas and scores the next two games to draw level at 2-2. In the fifth game, Ismail managed to pull ahead in the later stages to set herself up with three match balls at 10-7 but again Heikal responded. She won the next five points to claim the match in 55 minutes and a place in the semi-finals.

The other women’s semi-final will be contested between English duo Alicia Mead and Saran Nghiem. The pair both wasted no time in their respective matches, both winning in under 3-0 in under 20 minutes. Mead overcame Nika Urh whilst Nghiem defeated compatriot Emma Bartley.

All seeds progressed in the men’s draw including top seed Ben Coleman who faced the tough task of taking on recent event winner Velevan Senthilkumar. After a convening first game win for the top seed, Coleman doubled his lead in a tight second, winning 14-12. Despite the Indian clawing a game back, Coleman stuck to his game plan and closed the fourth game out 12-10 to move into the semi-finals.

His opponent in the final four will be No.5 seed Perry Malik, who defeated Wales’ Elliot Morris Devred in a five game clash. Devred twice took the lead at 1-0 and 2-1 but couldn’t capitalise as Perry continued to fire balls in short to constantly put Devred under pressure. Malik won 11-4, 11-8 to score the win and continue his run.

No.2 and No.3 seeds James Peach and Emyr Evans will meet in the opposite semi-final after they both recorded straight game wins over Miles Jenkins and Aqeel Rehman. All three games were very tight between Evans and Jenkins but it was the Welshman who played the big points well to win 11-9, 11-9, 13-11. Peach’s match was just as competitive as he closed out two games 11-9 on his way to victory in the Hertfordshire event.

The semi finals of the Linksap Berkhamsted Open will be played from 17:30 (GMT+1). Watch the action live on the PSA Challenger Tour YouTube Channel.

You can keep up to date with daily updates from the tournament on the PSA Challenger Tour’s Twitter and Facebook.

Results: Linksap Berkhamsted Open 2023 Men’s QF

[1] Ben Coleman (ENG) bt [7] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) 3-1: 11-1, 14-12, 8-11, 12-10 (64m)
[5] Perry Malik (ENG) bt Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) 3-2: 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-8 (61m)
[3] Emyr Evans (WAL) bt Miles Jenkins (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 13-11 (18m)
[2] James Peach (ENG) bt [8] Aqeel Rehman (AUT) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 (37m)

Results: Linksap Berkhamsted Open 2023 Women’s QF
[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt [5] Ali Loke (WAL) 3-1: 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 11-2 (42m)
[4] Nour Heikal (EGY) bt [7] Hana Ismail (EGY) 3-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 12-10 (55m)
[3] Saran Nghiem (ENG) bt Emma Bartley (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (17m)
[2] Alicia Mead (ENG) bt Nika Urh (SLO) 3-0: 11-0, 11-6, 11-6 (18m)

Draw: Linksap Berkhamsted Open 2023 Men’s SF

[1] Ben Coleman (ENG) v [5] Perry Malik (ENG)

[3] Emyr Evans (WAL) v [2] James Peach (ENG)

Draw: Linksap Berkhamsted Open 2023 Women’s SF

[1] Torrie Malik (ENG) v [4] Nour Heikal (EGY)

[3] Saran Nghiem (ENG) v [2] Alicia Mead (ENG)