Kinetic 3k Challenger RD1: Arader and Azana Cause First Day Upsets

The Kinetic 3k Challenger Presented by Sundip Murthy got underway on Wednesday in Boynton Beach, with USA’s Alexander Arader and Argetinian Jeremias Azana causing upsets on the opening day.

Arader was a late call-up to the tournament following some withdrawals in the last few days prior to the tournament starting, but he made the most of it on the opening day, getting the bette of Mexico’s No.8 seed Juan Carlos Gomez.

The American seemed to be in complete control throughout the contest, taking the first two games comfortably, before coming through the third 11-8 to book his place in the quarter finals of the Challenger 3 level tournament, where he will now face the tournament’s No.4 seed, England’s Mark Broekman.

The other surprise result of the opening day’s play saw Argentina’s Jeremias Azana get the better of No.7 seed Jorge Gomez, with his clash with the Mexican being the only match of the first round that went into a fourth game.

The Argentinian found himself behind after losing a first game tie-break, but fought back strongly, and the World No.470 came through to win in four, after taking a crucial second game, and he went on to win 10-12, 11-9, 11-2, 11-5. He will now face No.3 seed Ahsan Ayaz in the last eight.

There was no danger for the tournament’s top two seeds, with England’s Tom Walsh overcoming Ireland’s Stu Hadden, dropping just six points in the process, while No.2 seed Noor Zaman downed USA’s Alex Hartnell to book his place in the quarter finals.

The quarter finals of the Challenger 3 level tournament take place on Thursday, February 17, with the last four to be set at the Kinetic Indoor Racquet Club in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Round One Results: Kinetic 3k Challenger Presented by Sundip Murthy
[1] Tom Walsh (ENG) bt Stu Hadden (IRL) 3-0: 11-2, 11-1, 11-3
[5] Miled Zarazua (MEX) bt Nicolas Tinajero (ECU) 3-0: 11-3, 11-3, 11-2
Alexander Arader (USA) bt [8] Juan Carlos Gomez (MEX) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-8
[4] Mark Broekman (ENG) bt Yassin Emara (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-5, 11-5
[3] Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) bt Rafael Galvez (PER) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-9
Jeremias Azana (ARG) bt [7] Jorge Gomez (MEX) 3-1: 10-12, 11-9, 11-2, 11-5
[6] Andres Herrera (COL) bt Muhammad Ibrahim Noorani (PAK) 3-0: 11-5, 11-2, 11-1
[2] Noor Zaman (PAK) bt Alex Dartnell (USA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-2

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, February 17
[1] Tom Walsh (ENG) v [5] Miled Zarazua (MEX)
Alexander Arader (USA) v [4] Mark Broekman (ENG)
[3] Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) v Jeremias Azana (ARG)
[6] Andres Herrera (COL) v [2] Noor Zaman (PAK)