Asal, Salazar, Naughton and van der Heijden Complete Second Round Line-Up In San Fran

The second day’s action is now complete after the evening session took place at the Bay Club, which saw the conclusion of the first round of the Oracle NetSuite Open.

Cesar Salazar made his way through to the last 16, following twin Arturo, who had made it into the second round in the afternoon session.

Hollie Naughton, Milou van Der Heijden and Mostafa Asal also made it through to the last 16 of the event with victories on day two.

Naughton Dispatches Grinham To Reach Last 16

Hollie Naughton booked her spot in the second round of the Oracle NetSuite Open after she overpowered Rachael Grinham in straight games.

The Canadian restricted the former World No.1 to just three points in the first game, as she ran out into an early lead in the match. However, Grinham would fight back.

The Australian, a former World Open and British Open champion, held the advantage for the majority of the second, but Naughton fought back to take it 11-9, booking her place in the second round where she will face Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb.

“It was a tough match. There was patches that were pretty good and controlled, but Rachael’s game is one of a kind and sometimes I felt like I got dragged in to playing a bit slower,” Naughton explained.

“I was trying to do a bit too much instead of trying to contain her, and if you try and play her game then you are definitely not going to come out on the winning end of that. I am super happy to get off to a winning start, especially in my best-of-three tournament.

“I am really looking forward to it. I have never played Nour [El Tayeb] on the PSA World Tour before. It is good to play someone different, so I am happy to be through.”

Result – Women’s First Round: Oracle NetSuite Open
Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Rachael Grinham (AUS) 2-0: 11-3, 11-9 (14m)

Salazar Battles Back To Beat Wildcard Khan

Mexico’s Cesar Salazar needed to come back from a game down to defeat American wildcard Faraz Khan, as he reached the second round in San Francisco.

The American allowed Salazar just four points in the first game, as he played well above his World Ranking of No.122. However, from there on, the Mexican came through to win.

He follows his brother into the last 16 of the tournament, thanks to winning the second and third games against a tiring Khan, and will now play No.2 seed Tarek Momen on Thursday.

“I came from behind and I felt I had to win, but tomorrow I need to be a lot better. Faraz is a good player. He has improved a lot, but I still need to play better squash tomorrow.” Salazar said.

“I tried to start to feel the ball a bit more, but my movement and my shots needed to improve for the second and third game. However, it is hard with best-of-three, as you feel more pressure to start with.”

Result – Men’s First Round: Oracle NetSuite Open
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [WC] Faraz Khan (USA) 2-1: 4-11, 11-8, 11-5 (31m)

Van Der Heijden Defeats Metwally In Straight Games

Dutch No.1 Milou van der Heijden became the last woman through to the second round of the Oracle NetSuite Open after she defeated Egypt’s Mariam Metwally in straight games.

The World No.32 came out quickly, and took advantage of a few mistakes from the Egyptian to build a good lead in the first. Metwally fought back towards the end of the game, but van der Heijden took it 11-9.

She then followed that by winning the second game by the same scoreline to advance through to the last 16 of the event, where she will face US No.1 Amanda Sobhy.

“That was one of the big battles today, Mariam won’t give you any rhythm and hits really good shots,” van der Heijden explained.


”You just have to try to stick in there and try to stay as calm as possible and I was happy to do that today. It was tough when she would take more time between points, especially because you want to keep going when you’re doing well.

“You have to find a solution and I did so I was happy with that. I’m excited, when you win you want to get right back out there so I’m excited for tomorrow.”

Result – Women’s First Round: Oracle NetSuite Open
Milou van der Heijden (NED) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 2-0: 11-9, 11-9 (20m)

Asal Defeats ElSherbini In All-Egyptian Clash

In the final match of the day, Mostafa Asal got the better of fellow Egyptian Mohamed ElSherbini to book his spot in the last 16 of the tournament.

The 18-year-old, who still has to wear eye protection because of his age, overpowered his compatriot in the first game, allowing ElSherbini just three points.

The second was a tighter affair, but it would still be Asal that came out on top, as he took the victory, booking his place in the second round, and setting up a clash with Wales No.1 Joel Makin.

“It’s my first time playing best of three and it’s tough against Mo ElSherbini, who is a really good friend and tough to beat,” Asal said.

“I was able to take some confidence after those first few points to win the first game 11-3. I tried hard to play the ball in the back. I’m happy to be here in San Francisco for the first time.”

Result – Men’s First Round: Oracle NetSuite Open
Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 2-0: 11-3, 11-7 (33m)