Tuomi Sees Off Local Challenger

Top seed Matias Tuomi overcame local player Joe Williams in a nail-biting 3-2 victory in the final qualifying round of the Doubledot Media Christchurch International Open, PSA Challenger 10 tournament.

The World No.128 won the first two games but saw his opponent battle back to level things up. Tuomi, who is yet to win a PSA World Tour title, was more consistent in the final game and held out to record a 12-10, 11-8, 2-11, 6-11, 11-5 victory. He will face England’s Declan James in the main draw’s opening round tomorrow.

Kiwi Kashif Shuja has also advanced after he saw off the challenge of Ben Grindrod.

Shuja won the first game comfortably before Grindrod pegged him back in the second. Shuja made amends for the momentary dip in his performance by winning two further games without reply to set up a first round clash with compatriot Lance Beddoes.

Muhammad Hannan and Evan Williams will also participate in the main action after they put Courtney West and second seed Mark Fuller to the sword, respectively. Hannan will meet Matthew Hopkin while Williams will face-off against Indian National Champion Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu.

Results – Final Qualifying Round: Doubledot Media Christchurch International Open 2015
[1] Matias Tuomi (FIN) bt [L] Joseph Williams (NZL) 3-2: 12-10, 11-8, 2-11, 6-11, 11-5 (42m)
[4] Muhammad Hannan (MAS) bt [7] Courtney West (AUS) 3-1: 3-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-2 (29m)
[3] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt [5] Ben Grindrod (NZL) 3-1: 11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 11-5 (40m)
[6] Evan Williams (NZL) bt [2] Mark Fuller (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-6, 11-9 (24m)

Draw – First Round
[1] Raphael Kandra (GER) v Christopher Binnie (JAM)
[7] Matthew Hopkin (AUS) v [Q] Muhammad Hannan (MAS)
[6] James Huang (TPE) v Lewis Walters (ENG)
[3] Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) v [Q] Evan Williams (NZL)
[4] Declan James (ENG) v [Q] Matias Tuomi (FIN)
[5] Paul Coll (NZL) v Matthew Serediak (CAN)
[8] Lance Beddoes (NZL) v [Q] Kashif Shuja (NZL)
[2] Rex Hedrick (AUS) v [WC] Chris van der Salm (NZL)