LT San Antonio Open: Cardenas Takes Second Win of 2021

Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas secured his second win in as many months as he was victorious at the Texas Auto Save Life Time San Antonio 281 International Squash Open 2021 – Presented by Core Path Laboratories.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event, held in San Antonio, was restricted to cross-border participation, meaning only those currently living in Canada, Mexico and the host nation, United States, could feature.

It was a Mexican that won on American soil for the second time in the last four weeks, with Cardenas following up his win at the Life Time Plano International Open with another victory here.

After receiving a bye through to the second round, the Mexican began his campaign against compatriot Allan Nunez, before overcoming American Spencer Lovejoy to reach the last four.

The World No.53 downed Faraz Khan in the semis to set up a clash with England’s Nathan Lake, who was the top seed for the tournament. Despite being the lower-ranked player in the final, Cardenas was in complete control throughout, winning in straight games to secure the tenth title of his career.

Results: Texas Auto Save Life Time San Antonio 281 International Squash Open 2021 – Presented by Core Path Laboratories
Final
[2] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt [1] Nathan Lake (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 (42m)

Semi-Finals
[1] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt [3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) 3-1: 11-3, 11-5, 2-11, 11-5 (51m)
[2] Leonel Cardenas (MEZ) bt [4] Faraz Khan (USA) 3-1: 11-5, 2-11, 11-9, 11-9 (75m)

Quarter-Finals
[1] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt [7] Babatunde Ajagbe (NGR) 3-0: 11-2, 11-6, 11-3 (36m)
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt [8] Asyraf Azan (MAS) 3-1: 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (59m)
[4] Faraz Khan (USA) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 3-1: 11-4, 11-3, 9-11, 11-2 (47m)
[2] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt [5] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 12-10, 11-8 (49m)

Round Two
[1] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Matias Knudsen (COL) 3-1: 11-8, 5-11, 11-4, 11-1 (46m)
[7] Babatunde Ajagbe (NGR) bt James Wyatt (ENG) 3-0: 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-1 (49m)
[8] Asyraf Azan (MAS) bt Abdul Malik Khan (PAK) 3-0: 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 (32m)
[3] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt [WC] Harrison Gill (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 (38m)
[4] Faraz Khan (USA) bt Lucas Rousselet (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (34m)
Alister Walker (BOT) bt [5] Mark Broekman (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 15-13, 12-10 (38m)
[5] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) bt [WC] Arhan Chandra (USA) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-3 (25m)
[2] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) bt Allan Nunez (MEX) 3-0: 11-4, 13-11, 11-6 (47m)

Round One
Matias Knudsen (COL) bt Haidar Jafry (USA) 3-0: 11-1, 11-5, 11-2 (21m)
James Wyatt (ENG) bt Sebastian De La Vega (USA) 3-0: 11-2, 114, 11-4 (27m)
[WC] Harrison Gill (USA) bt Stu Hadden (IRL) 3-0: 12-10, 11-2, 11-8 (39m)
Lucas Rousselet (FRA) bt Marco DiFilippo (USA) 3-0: 11-1, 11-4, 11-5 (23m)
Alister Walker (BOT) bt Nick Sutcliffe (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 (24m)
[WC] Arhan Chandra (USA) bt Faizal Riaz (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-9 (19m)
Allan Nunez (MEX) bt [WC] Vandrick Inman-Benavente (USA) 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-2 (20m)