Seeds Fall in Xmas Challenger Qualifying

#PSAWorldTour

Three of the seeded qualifiers fell to surprise defeats in the Airport Xmas Challenger, PSA M5 tournament as qualifying got under way in Berlin, Germany.

Yannik Omlor got his tournament off to a fine start by beating Miroslav Celler on home soil. Omlor dictated the pace of the fixture throughout and, the second game aside, romped to victory with an 11-4, 13-11, 11-3 win paving the way for his progression.

He will go up against Czech Republic player Jan Ryba in the next round after he saw off Luca Wilhelmi.

Carsten Schoor made it a German double with his triumph over Scotland’s Jamie Henderson. The 26-year-old, who is making his first PSA World Tour appearance of the year, stormed to the victory in three to set up a final qualifying round clash with Patrick Rooney who defeated local player Julian Wollny.

Jami Aijanen got his attempts to make it to a second PSA World Tour main draw off to a fine start with victory over number seven seed Joeri Hapers and his reward is a matchup with Daniel Mekbib who progressed to the next round courtesy of a bye.

Tarek Shehata meanwhile will take on Remo Handl for a place in the main draw. Shehata beat Connor Sheen but will be facing a fresh opponent in the next round after Handl was also the beneficiary of a bye.

Result – First Qualifying Round: Airport Xmas Challenger 2015
[2] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) (bye)
Jami Aijanen (FIN) bt [7] Joeri Hapers (BEL) 3-0: 11-8, 13-11, 11-8
Carsten Schoor (GER) bt [5] Jamie Henderson (SCO) 3-0: 11-6, 12-10, 11-4
[3] Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt [L] Julian Wollny (GER) 3-1: 12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3
Yannik Omlor (GER) bt [4] Miroslav Celler (SVK) 3-0: 11-4, 13-11, 11-3
[6] Jan Ryba (CZE) bt Luca Wilhelmi (SUI) 3-1: 11-4, 11-5, 13-15, 11-8
[8] Tarek Shehata (EGY) bt Connor Sheen (ENG) 3-1: 9-11, 11-5, 11-1, 11-7
[1] Remo Handl (SUI) (bye)

Draw – Final Qualifying Round
[2] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) v Jami Aijanen (FIN)
Carsten Schoor (GER) v [3] Patrick Rooney (ENG)
Yannik Omlor (GER) v [6] Jan Ryba (CZE)
[8] Tarek Shehata (EGY) v [1] Remo Handl (SUI)