Paris Squash 2024: Afternoon Roundup

The first Platinum event of the 24/25 PSA Squash Tour season is underway in France as the Paris Squash 2024 started today across three venues in the French capital with 16 matches taking place in the afternoon sessions.

Play started at Squash Horizon and Squash Montmartre at midday with Rowan Elaraby and Salma Hany claiming the first victories of the day as they defeated Joelle King and Zeina Mickawy respectively. England’s Lucy Turmel held off a strong comeback from Hana Moataz to book a place in round two whilst No.3 seed and recent CIB Egyptian Open champion Mostafa Asal became the first male player through to the next round, beating Miguel Rodriguez in straight games.

The French squash community were eagerly anticipating the next match on the all-glass court as 12-time national champion Camille Serme returned to competitive action after 3 years. Serme officially retired in 2022 but is making a comeback and after winning a qualification event, earned a spot in the main draw to take on top seed and World No.1 Nour ElSherbini. The top seed was far too good on the day but both looked to enjoy the nostalgic contest despite the result.

France were treated to one dramatic win in the opening fixtures as Gregoire Marche downed World No.10 Marwan Elshorbagy in five games at Squash Horizon. Marche raced out to a 2-0 lead, playing terrific squash but was pegged back to 2-2 by a spirited Elshorbagy, who looked determined to complete the comeback. Spurred on by the home crowd, Marche powered through the fifth game, taking it 11-4 in just under an hour.

Men’s wildcard Melvil Scianimanico produced an incredible fight against England’s World No.29 Adrian Waller over at Squash Montmartre. The 19-year-old pushed the Englishman all the way to five games and narrowly lost out 11-9 in the fifth. Whereas women’s wildcard Lauren Baltayan was defeated comfortably by Hong Kong, China’s Tomato Ho.

Results: Paris Squash 2024 Women’s RD1 (afternoon session)
[1] Nour ElSherbini (EGY) bt Camille Serme (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (24m)
Salma Hany (EGY) bt Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 11-2, 12-10 (26m)
Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt Joelle King (NZL) 3-1: 8-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-6 (38m)
Lucy Turmel (ENG) bt Hana Moataz (EGY) 3-2: 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7 (59m)
[4] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Rachel Arnold (MAS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-1, 11-2 (26m)
[5] Olivia Weaver (USA) bt. Mariam Metwally (EGY)3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 (34m)
Tomato Ho (HKG) bt [WC] Lauren Baltayan (FRA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-3 (29m)

Results: Paris Squash 2024 Men’s RD1 (afternoon session)
Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 3-0: 11-3, 11-5, 11-4 (27m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) 3-2: 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 8-11, 11-4 (59m)
Adrian Waller (ENG) bt [WC] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) 3-2: 11-6, 6-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9 (66m)
[3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 (36m)
[4] Diego Elias (PER) bt Iker Pajares (ESP) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (41m)
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Timothy Brownell (USA ) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (34m)
Joel Makin (WAL) bt Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 12-10, 11-1 (46m)

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