PSA Anyospark Preview: Malik Keeping Same Mindset Despite Success

The sole Challenger Tour event on European soil this week will be the PSA Anyospark, which will take place from Wednesday, June 1 to Sunday, June 5 at the Club Esportiu Anyos Park in Andorra La Vella, Andorra.

The Challenger 5 level men’s event will feature players from 11 nations, with the majority of those hailing from Europe. England’s Robert Downer and Spaniard Ivan Perez will be the top two seed for the competition, and will receive byes through to the second round after a pair of late withdrawals from the event.

England’s Curtis Malik will be the No.3 seed for the tournament, and after winning the NTA Squash Classic in his last outing, the World No.91 comes into this tournament full of confidence.

“I feel I'm currently playing some good squash again after a successful week at the NTA Squash Classic in Boston,” he explained.

“I felt my squash had been at that level but just to remain consistent match after match has been the difference to my recent form. I'm really enjoying competing abroad again after COVID, so I'm just trying to make the most of every situation I get to perform well.

“To get the win last week at the NTA Squash Classic was amazing. It was one of those tournaments where I didn't put any expectations on myself and just wanted to put what I've done into practice.

“It was especially nice to get wins over players that I haven't beaten before, so that's always good for confidence, knowing you've got what it takes. It was such a good experience out there and I leaned so much both on and off the court which only makes me more motivated to continue competing around the world.”

Malik will be the No.3 seed for this week’s tournament, and he currently sits at his highest position in the World Rankings. The 22-year-old broke into the world’s top 100 for the first time in January, and he is continuing to look up.

“Obviously being No.3 seed means you've got a chance no matter what tournament you're in. But the mindset is the same for me here as it was in Boston, take each match as it comes and try not to look too far ahead,” the Englishman admitted.

“All these Challenger Tour events are strong these days so I'll just be ready for every challenge I face along the way. I'm just looking forward to playing some good quality squash again!

“Breaking the top 100 was always a goal of mine but I want to continue climbing as quick as I can. I'd love to be as close to the top 50 as I can by the end of this year.

“It’s a tough goal but one I know is possible if I keep focusing on the process of improving in training and competing to the best of my ability. I'm just going to take each event as it comes and see where it takes me this year. As long as I'm enjoying it and extracting the absolute most out of myself then I'll be happy no matter what the rankings say.”

Welshman Emyr Evans rounds out the top four seeds, with Argentinian Leandro Romiglio, one of two non-Europeans in the draw, will be in the top eight seeds with Spain’s Edmon Lopez and Sergio Garcia Pollan, and Italian No.1 Yuri Farneti.

There will be six wildcards for the tournament, including a pair of Andorrans, in David Forne and Iluis Suarez, both of whom will be aiming to impress on home soil this week.

The event takes place from Wednesday, June 1 to Sunday, June 5 at the Club Esportiu Anyos Park in Andorra. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on *Twitter* and *Facebook* for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: PSA Anyospark
[1] Robert Downer (ENG) – [Bye]
[WC] Alvaro Martin (ESP) v [9] Abhay Singh (IND)
[10] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) v [WC] Iluis Suarez (AND)
Lukas Windischberger (AUT) v [6] Edmon Lopez (AUT)
[8] Yuri Farneti (ITA) v Manu Paquemar (FRA)
[WC] Pablo Dolz (ESP) v [11] Edwin Clain (FRA)
[15] Perry Malik (ENG) v [WC] Joel Jaume Izcara (ESP)
Alasdair Prott (SCO) v [4] Emyr Evans (WAL)
[3] Curtis Malik (ENG) v Laouenan Laoec (FRA)
[WC] David Forne (AND) v [13] James Peach (ENG)
[14] Fergus Richards (SCO) v Joshua Phinera (FRA)
Quint Mandil (FRA) v [5] Leandro Romiglio (ARG)
[7] Sergio Garcia Pollan (ESP) v [WC] Tino Antonio Mackay Palacios (SCO)
Javier Martin (ESP) v [16] Nilo Vidal (ESP)
[12] David Zeman (CZE) v Finnlay Withington (ENG)
[2] Ivan Perez (ESP) – [Bye]