HSC Open RD2: Ibrahim and Azana Break Into Quarters

The second round of the HSC Open – presented by Cotidie threw up two more surprises, with local youngster Muhammad Hufaiza Ibrahim and Argentina’s Jeremias Azana making it into the quarter finals of the competition.

Ibrahim had already caused an upset on the opening day of the competition, and he took on No.5 seed Hamza Sharif, also of Pakistan, for a spot in the last eight. The pair did battle for 41 minutes, with Ibrahim coming out on top in four games, delighting the home crowd in Houston.

He will be joined in the last eight by Argentina’s Jeremias Azana, who overcame No.8 seed Asyraf Azan, also in four games. The South American took the first two games to hold a commanding lead in the contest, before the Malaysian fought back to win the third. However, Azana regrouped to win the fourth 11-9, advancing to the quarters in Houston.

The top four seeds all safely made their way into the quarters, with a trio of Mexicans amongst them. Arturo Salazar, Alfredo Avila and Alejandro Reyes are all into the last eight, with India’s Abhishek Agarwal also safely into the quarter finals.

The quarter finals of the HSC Open – presented by Cotidie will take place on Friday, July 1, with Ibrahim and Azana aiming to continue their knockout runs in the tournament.

Second Round Results: HSC Open – presented by Cotidie
[1] Arturo Salazar (MEX) bt Salah Eltorgman (CAN) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (33m)
[7] Waqas Mehboob (PAK) bt Vandrick Inman-Benavente (3-0: 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 (20m)
[6] Allan Nunez (MEX) bt Jamie Ruggiero (USA) 3-1: 11-8, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9 (45m)
[4] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 3-2: 11-3, 13-15, 11-9, 4-11, 11-4 (55m)
[3] Abhishek Agarwal (IND) bt Muhammad Farhan Hashmi (PAK) 3-1: 12-10, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4 (48m)
Muhammad Hufaiza Ibrahim (PAK) bt [5] Hamza Sharif (PAK) 3-1: 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9 (41m)
Jeremias Azana (ARG) bt [8] Asyraf Azan (MAS) 3-1: 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 (38m)
[2] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt Mehran Javed (PAK) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 (24m)

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, July 1
[1] Arturo Salazar (MEX) v [7] Waqas Mehboob (PAK)
[6] Allan Nunez (MEX) v [4] Alejandro Reyes (MEX)
[3] Abhishek Agarwal (IND) v Muhammad Hufaiza Ibrahim (PAK)
Jeremias Azana (ARG) v [2] Alfredo Avila (MEX)