Weekend Round-Up: Chan, Ho and Bonmalais Win Challenger Tour Titles

The City of Greater Bendigo International and the Greetings Squash Championship both took place this weekend, with three players tasting success.

At the City of Greater Bendigo International, there was a surprise winner in the men’s event, as No.6 seeded Malaysian Darren Chan took the spoils.

He overcame countryman Bryan Lim Tze Kang 3-0 in the final, taking just 22 minutes to win the match, claiming his second win on the PSA Challenger Tour.

The Malaysian got to the final after beating Hong Kong’s Chung Yan Long in the first round, before then going on to knock out the No.1 seed in the quarter finals.

Chan beat Frenchman Enzo Corigliano in the last eight in just 22 minutes, before then overcoming compatriot, and No.8 seed, One Sai Hung in the semis to reach the final.

In the women’s event in Bendigo, No.1 seed Ho Tze-Lok took a comfortable victory in the final, as she overcame home favourite Sarah Cardwell to secure the title.

The first game went to a tie-break, which Ho took charge of in the end, winning it 14-12. She then went on to record the second and third games in easier fashion to claim her first title since winning the very same event in 2017.

To win the title, she had to get past four Australians all playing on their home turf. Ho’s first round clash came against Maria Kalafatis, with the Hong Kong star taking just 12 minutes to take the victory.

The tournament’s No.1 seed then overcame Taylor Flavell in three games in the quarters, before defeating No.3 seed Christine Nunn in the semis.

In Japan, Sebastian Bonmalais took the Greetings Squash Championship after a comfortable victory over Egypt’s Omar Abdel Meguid in the final.

The Frenchman dropped just 12 points against his Egyptian opponent in the final in Isesaki, as he continued his run of not losing a game throughout the tournament.

The No.2 seed was given a walkover in his second round clash over Chua Man Chin, before then comfortably getting past home favourite Naoki Hayashi in the last eight.

Bonmalais then overcame a second Japanese player in the semi finals, defeating Ryosei Kobayashi 3-0, before then getting the better of Meguid in the final to take home his first title since 2017.

Result – Men’s Final: City of Greater Bendigo International
[6] Darren Chan (MAS) bt [5] Bryan Lim Tze Kang (MAS) 3-0: 13-11, 11-5, 11-2 (23m)

Result – Women’s Final: City of Greater Bendigo International
[1] Ho Tze-Lok (HKG) bt [2] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 3-0: 14-12, 11-8, 11-2 (39m)

Result – Final: Greetings Squash Championship
[2] Sebastian Bonmalais (FRA) bt [1] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 3-0: 11-1, 11-3, 11-8 (22m)