NTA Classic RD1: Hussein, Bushma and Ismail Cause Opening Day Upsets

The opening day of the NTA Squash Classic threw up some upsets, with Egypt’s Aly Hussein and Sohaila Ismail, along with Ukraine’s Alina Bushma, all beating higher-ranked opposition to advance to the last eight.

Egypt’s Hussein caused the only shock result of the men’s first round, as he came up against the tournament’s No.2 seed, Canada’s David Baillargeon. He won the first game 11-1, and after making it through a tricky second, which he had to seal on a tie-break, before then cruising to victory in straight games.

In the women’s event, wildcard Sohaila Ismail caused one of the biggest upsets of the day, as she defeated World No.49 Hana Moataz, after the Egyptian was forced to retire late in the match. Ismail had gone two games down, but fought back to send the contest into a deciding game, one she led when Moataz had to withdraw.

The other surprise in the women’s event saw Ukraine’s Alina Bushma take out England’s No.6 seed Alicia Mead. She won the first game 11-9, before then doubling her lead with a comfortable score line in the second. Mead fought back to win the third, but the Ukrainian regrouped to secure victory in four, advancing to the quarter finals.

The quarter finals of the NTA Squash Classic will take place on Thursday, May 19, with the last eight in both draws doing battle for places in the semi-finals of the Challenger 10 level competition.

Men’s First Round Results: NTA Squash Classic
Aly Hussein (EGY) bt [2] David Baillargeon (CAN) 3-0: 11-1, 12-10, 11-3
[7] Yannik Omlor (GER) bt Babatunde Ajagbe (NGR) 3-1: 11-1, 11-8, 2-11, 11-5
[6] Timothy Brownell (USA) bt Mark Broekman (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-4
[4] Nick Wall (ENG) bt [WC] Charlie Taylor (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-6
[3] Sam Todd (ENG) bt Joseph White (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
[5] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) bt Nick Sachvie (CAN) 3-0: 11-8, 11-7, 11-6
[8] Curtis Malik (ENG) bt Shawn DeLierre (CAN) 3-1: 7-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8
[1] Christopher Gordon (USA) bt Josue Enriquez (GUA) 3-1: 11-2, 11-7, 4-11, 12-10

Men’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, May 19
Aly Hussein (EGY) v [7] Yannik Omlor (GER)
[6] Timothy Brownell (USA) v [4] Nick Wall (ENG)
[3] Sam Todd (ENG) v [5] Spencer Lovejoy (USA)
[8] Curtis Malik (ENG) v [1] Christopher Gordon (USA)

Women’s First Round Results: NTA Squash Classic
[1] Menna Hamed (EGY) bt Laura Tovar (COL) 3-2: 7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5
[7] Lucie Stefanoni (USA) bt Wen Li Lai (MAS) 3-1: 15-13, 11-9, 9-11, 13-11
Alina Bushma (UKR) bt [6] Alicia Mead (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-6, 3-11, 11-7
[WC] Sohaila Ismail (EGY) bt [3] Hana Moataz (EGY) 3-2: 4-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 1-0 rtd
[4] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt Lea Barbeau (FRA) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
[5] Grace Gear (ENG) bt Alex Haydon (AUS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-1, 11-3
[8] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Au Yeong Wai Yhann (SGP) 3-1: 11-5, 15-13, 7-11, 11-7
[2] Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) 3-1: 11-5, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9

*Women’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Thursday, May 19*
[1] Menna Hamed (EGY) v [7] Lucie Stefanoni (USA)
Alina Bushma (UKR) v [WC] Sohaila Ismail (EGY)
[4] Marina Stefanoni (USA) v [5] Grace Gear (ENG)
[8] Torrie Malik (ENG) v [2] Lucy Beecroft (ENG)