Czech Pro Series 3 Preview: Downer Could Be “Nightmare To Play”

The first of four events on the Challenger Tour this week comes from Prague, with the Czech Pro Series 3 taking place at Squasclub Strahov.

This will be the third event to take place in the Czech capital in 2021, with Frenchman Gregory Gaultier and England’s Robert Downer having tasted victory already.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event, like the previous ones in Prague, is restricted to domestic-only entries, with just two foreign players in action. One of those is Downer, with the other being Germany’s Heiko Schwarzer.

Downer is the World No.91, and the top seed for the tournament, and we spoke to the Englishman ahead of the event starting. Having already won at this venue this year, he knows what he can do, he believes he can be a nightmare to play.

“A clear run of training here in Prague over the last 6 months led to ideal conditions for me to win last month’s event,” he explained.

“In short, if I can replicate the kind of squash I’ve been playing here at home in Strahov, I will be a nightmare to play. Every time I step on court since the win here it feels great and I feel secure to play with full enjoyment.

“I’ve been playing some great stuff recently and feeling more clear on how I need to adapt to win matches. I am, without doubt, in the best shape physically of my life with still so much improvement possible too.

“For me it’s always a choice of playing with freedom versus finding my fighting spirit and I’ve done the work to be able to use both. As top seed in this event it doesn’t change anything for me. Everyone will want to beat me but that was already the case.”

The Englishman is currently sitting at World No.91, his highest position in the World Rankings, thanks to his victory in Prague last month. He is aiming for more, and is looking to get into World Tour events in the near future.

“I’m looking towards taking more titles on the Challenger Tour while making that step up to competing at the World Tour events,’ the Englishman said.

“Top 60/65 or so is what I’m looking for next. And when I’m good enough I hope to cement myself in the top 50. A lot of work ahead but I have all I will need and I am in the right place to make it happen I feel. [It’s an] interesting road ahead, where I’m sure more learning and adaptation will be necessary!”

The event takes place from Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 May at the Squasclub Strahov in Prague, where Robert Downer is the top seed for the tournament. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

Action from the Czech Pro Series 3 will be streamed throughout the week on the PSA Challenger Tour YouTube channel, where you can watch Challenger Tour action, and interviews with rising stars.

First Round Draw: Czech Pro Series 3
[1] Robert Downer (ENG) v Karim Farrag (CZE)
Kristian Mracek (CZE) v [7] Marek Panacek (CZE)
[6] David Zeman (CZE) v Lukas Jelinek (CZE)
Lubos Walter Jr. (CZE) v [3] Jakub Solnicky (CZE)
[4] Ondrej Uherka (CZE) v Ondrej Vorlicek (CZE)
Adam Sinkule (CZE) v [5] Viktor Byrtus (CZE)
[8] Heiko Schwarzer (GER) v Jachym Mracek (CZE)
Petr Nohel (CZE) v [2] Martin Sven (CZE)