North Coast Open RD1: Seeds Fall On Opening Day In Coffs Harbour

The opening day of the Roberts & Morrow North Coast Open saw plenty of upsets in terms of seeding, across both draws, with five seeded players knocked out at the Challenger 10 level tournament.

The event, which is taking place at Coffs Harbour Squash & Swim Centre in Australia, is restricted to cross-border participation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, meaning only those from the host nation, and neighbouring New Zealand, have been permitted to enter.

The tournament kicked off on Thursday, and in the men’s draw, only half of the top eight seeds made it through to the quarter finals, with No.3 seed Nicholas Calvert being the biggest casualty, as he lost out to David Turner in just 23 minutes, losing in straight games.

Along with Turner, Josh Larkin and James Lloyd also secured upsets, defeating No.5 seed Jack Hudson and No.8 seed Thomas Calvert, respectively. The other unseeded player through to the last eight is Rex Hedrick, with the former World No.48 getting the better of No.6 seed Damon Macmillan in just 13 minutes.

Top seed Rhys Dowling got the better of Lachlan Coxsedge in straight games, and he will now face James Lloyd in the quarters, while No.2 seed Joseph White came through unscathed against Dylan Molinaro, despite a second game tie-break.

Due to withdrawals, there were only three first round matches in the women’s event, but Maggy Marshall was still able to cause an upset, as she got the better of No.7 seed Jessica Osborne in a four-game clash, winning 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7 in 28 minutes.

Elsewhere, Selena Sheikh and Madison Lyon made their way into the quarter finals, with the latter now taking on top seed Sarah Cardwell in the last eight on Friday, February 18, when action continues in Coffs Harbour.

Men’s Round One Results: Roberts & Morrow North Coast Open
[1] Rhys Dowling (AUS) bt Lachlan Coxsedge (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-1, 11-3 (17m)
James Lloyd (AUS) bt [8] Thomas Calvert (AUS) 3-1: 9-11, 11-1, 11-3, 11-2 (32m)
Rex Hedrick (AUS) bt [6] Damon Macmillan (AUS) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-4 (13m)
[4] Rohan Toole (AUS) bt Jamie Pattison (AUS) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (18m)
David Turner (AUS) bt [3] Nicholas Calvert (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (23m)
Josh Larkin (AUS) bt [5] Jack Hudson (AUS) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (27m)
[7] Benjamin Ratcliffe (AUS) bt Bradley Fullick (AUS) 3-0: 13-11, 11-9, 11-6 (41m)
[2] Joseph White (AUS) bt Dylan Molinaro (AUS) 3-0: 11-3, 13-11, 11-8 (43m)

Men’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, February 18
[1] Rhys Dowling (AUS) v James Lloyd (AUS)
Rex Hedrick (AUS) v [4] Rohan Toole (AUS)
David Turner (AUS) v Josh Larkin (AUS)
[7] Benjamin Ratcliffe (AUS) v [2] Joseph White (AUS)

Women’s Round One Results: Roberts & Morrow North Coast Open
[8] Madison Lyon (AUS) bt Sze Yu Lee (AUS) 3-0: 11-2, 11-5, 11-7 (18m)
Maggy Marshall (AUS) bt [7] Jessica Osborne (AUS) 3-1: 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7 (28m)
[6] Selena Sheikh (AUS) bt Heather Pilley (AUS) 3-0: 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 (18m)

Women’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, February 18
[1] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) v [8] Madison Lyon (AUS)
Maggy Marshall (AUS) v [4] Alex Haydon (AUS)
[3] Tamika Hunt (AUS) v [5] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
[6] Selena Sheikh (AUS) v [2] Jessica Turnbull (AUS)