Colombian Open Preview: Gordon Excited By Challenger Tour Depth

The Colombian Open takes place at Centro de Alto Rendimiento Cancha de Squash in Bogota this week, with Christopher Gordon as the top seed, and the American believes that the depth of quality in Challenger Tour events is higher than ever.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Challenger 10 level tournament its running with regional entry restrictions, allowing those currently residing in North, Central and South American to participate.

Thanks to that, the 24-strong draw sees eight nationalities represented, including all three North American nations, and an Englishman in James Wyatt, who now lives in New York.

Several players who featured in the Torneo Profesional Mexicano de Squash over the last few days will also be involved in Bogota this week, including David Baillargeon. The Canadian made it through to the final in Mexico City, and will be hoping to go one better this week in Colombia.

The top seed for the tournament will be USA’s Christopher Gordon, and the American is looking forward to getting back on to court in tournament mode, in his first event since featuring at the PSA World Championships in July.

“I’m really happy with my game right now. I spent a lot of time during the quarantine training off court so it’s really nice to be back focusing on more squash specific things and competing again,” he explained.

“I’m really excited for the Colombian Open, the level of squash in Latin America is always improving and there are a lot of really good players so I’m going to have to take it one match at a time and play my best.

“The depth is really strong now in all the Challenger Tour events, so I need to be prepared every time I go out there to play my best. It’s really important to get through the early rounds as comfortable as possible so the energy levels are high when it comes to the big matches at the later stages of the event.”

Gordon, a former US No.1, has been as high as World No.44 in the rankings. He wants that spot back, but he admits that it is not his main focus right now.

“Being US No.1 was a great honour and it’s something that I would like to regain but right now I’m focussed on the process and performing well at the Challenger Tour events.”

The event takes place from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 August at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento Cancha de Squash in Bogota, Colombia, where Christopher Gordon is the top seed for the tournament. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: Colombian Open
[1] Christopher Gordon (USA) – [Bye]
Francesco Marcantonio (PAR) v [9/16] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA)
[9/16] Amrnaod Olguin (MEX) v [WC] Juan Hernandez (COL)
[8] Miled Zarazua (MEX) – [Bye]
[6] Guilherme Melo (BRA) – [Bye]
[WC] Jose Santamaria (COL) v [9/16] Nicolas Serna (COL)
[9/16] James Wyatt (ENG) v Andres Villamizar (COL)
[3] Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL) – [Bye]
[4] Ronaldo Palomino (COL) – [Bye]
Mateo Restrepo Pedroza (COL) v [9/16] Rodolfo Vega (MEX)
[9/16] Matias Knudsen (COL) v Sebastian Fonseca (GUA)
[5] Diego Gobbi (BRA) – [Bye]
[7] Josue Enriquez (GUA) – [Bye]
Maximilien Godbout (CAN) v [9/16] Andres Herrera (COL)
[9/16] Allan Nunez (MEX) v [WC] Juan Jose Torres (COL)
[2] David Baillargeon (CAN) – [Bye]