North Coast Open RD1: Wildcard Thomas Downs Chileshe To Advance

The opening day of the Costa North Coast Open took place at the Coffs Harbour Squash & Swim Club on Wednesday, and wildcard Elijah Thomas got the better of compatriot Temwa Chileshe in a tough five-game battle to make it through to the last 16.

New Zealand’s Thomas was one of three wildcards for the Challenger 10 level competition on Australian soil, and he took on fellow Kiwi Chileshe on the opening day. He fell behind twice, but came back on both occasions to send the match into a deciding game, before going on to win the fifth 11-8 to secure a first ever win over his compatriot. He will now face Temwa’s older sibling Lwamba in the last 16 on Thursday.

There were two other five-game matches on the opening day, both of which pushed 90 minutes in length. Australian’s Nicholas Calvert delighted the crowd in the opening match on Court 1, as he survived a fifth game tie-break 13-11 to secure victory over Filipino Robert Andrew Garcia. Hong Kong’s Harley Lam also won in five, overcoming New Zealand’s Joel Arscott after 85 minutes of action.

The only other surprise in the day’s play saw Hong Kong’s Chung Yat Long take down Switzerland’s Robin Gadola in four games. The Hongkonger fought from a game down to wi 3-1, including a fourth game 16-14 tie-break score-line.

The second day of the Costa North Coast Open will see the second round of the men’s competition, along with the commencement of the women’s event, with the last 16 in both event’s taking place at Coffs Harbour Squash & Swim Club on Thursday, August 18.

Men’s First Round Results: Costa North Coast Open
Nicholas Calvert (AUS) bt Robert Andrew Garcia (PHI) 3-2: 13-11, 11-7, 9-11, 12-14, 13-11 (88m)
Rex Hedrick (AUS) bt Wailok To (HKG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-2, 11-9 (37m)
Abhay Singh (IND) bt Damon MacMillan (AUS) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (29m)
[WC] Elijah Thomas (NZL) bt Temwa Chileshe (NZL) 3-2: 7-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8 (74m)
Harley Lam (HKG) bt Joel Arscott (NZL) 3-2: 12-10, 11-8, 2-11, 9-11, 11-9 (85m)
Rhys Dowling (AUS) bt [WC] James Lloyd (AUS) 3-0: 13-11, 11-4, 11-6 (30m)
Chung Yat Long (HKG) bt Robin Gadola (SUI) 3-1: 5-11, 11-9, 11-6, 16-14 (40m)
Matthew Lai (HKG) bt [WC] Dylan Molinaro (AUS) 3-1: 11-7, 11-5 8-11, 11-6 (45m)

Men’s Second Round Draw: To Be Played Thursday, August 18
[1] Henry Leung (HKG) v Nicholas Calvert (AUS)
Rex Hedrick (AUS) v [8] Joseph White (AUS)
[5] Chi Him Wong (HKG) v Abhay Singh (IND)
[WC] Elijah Thomas (NZL) v [4] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL)
[3] Addeen Idrakie (MAS) v Harley Lam (HKG)
Rhys Dowling (AUS) v [7] Tang Ming Hong (HKG)
[6] Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI) v Chung Yat Long (HKG)
Matthew Lai (HKG) v [2] Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK)

Women’s First Round Draw: To Be Played Thursday, August 18
[1] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) v Noor ul Huda (PAK)
Celine Walser (SUI) v [7] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
[6] Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) v Aiman Shahbaz (PAK)
Colette Sultana (MLT) v [4] Alex Haydon (AUS
[3] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) v Tayla Mounter (ENG)
Urwashi Joshi (IND) v [8] Au Yeong Wai Yhann (SGP))
[5] Jessica Turnbull (AUS) v Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS)
Ching Hei Fung (HKG) v [2] Grace Gear (ENG)