Torneo Mexicano de Squash RD1: Azana and Zayas Down Seeds

Argentina’s Jeremias Azana and Mexican Edgar Zayas both took down seeded opposition on the opening day of the Torneo Profesional Mexicano de Squash on Thursday afternoon, to move through to the quarter finals of the Challenger 5 level competition.

Azana took on No.6 seed Miled Zarazua in the opening round of the tournament, and he took victory in half an hour, winning in straight games. A second game tie-break was crucial on his way to the victory, taking it 12-10 to keep the momentum firmly in his grasp. He will now face Brazil’s Guilherme Melo, the tournament’s No.3 seed, in the last eight.

The other surprise result in terms of seeding saw Mexico’s Edgar Zayas take down compatior Allan Nunez in a four game battle. The No.8 seed won the first game 11-7, but Zayas fought back to win the next three games to secure the win, and move through to the quarter finals where he will now meet No.4 seed Alejandro Enriquez.

Elsewhere, the top two seeds in Mexico’s Arturo Salazar and Alfredo Avila both made it through to the last eight comfortably. Salazar defeated namesake Sebastian in straight games, and will now face Guatemala’s No.7 seed Ricardo Toscano, while Avila set up a meeting with compatriot Alejandro Reyes in the quarters after beating Carlos Vargas in three games on Thursday evening.

The last eight will go head-to-head for places in the semi-finals of the Torneo Profesional Mexicano de Squash on Friday, August 19, with the winners making it through to the last four of the competition.

First Round Results: Torneo Profesional Mexicano de Squash
[1] Arturo Salazar (MEX) bt [WC] Sebastian Salazar (MEX) 3-0: 11-5, 11-1, 11-9 (35m)
[7] Ricardo Toscano (GUA) bt Rodolfo Vega (MEX) 3-1: 14-12, 16-14, 4-11, 11-6 (42m)
Jeremias Azana (ARG) bt [6] Miled Zarazua (MEX) 3-0: 11-6, 12-10, 11-3 (30m)
[3] Guilherme Melo (BRA) bt Abdelaziz Hegazy (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-2, 11-2 (20m)
[4] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt Abdul Malik Khan (PAK) 12-10, 11-2, 11-9 (29m)
Edgar Zayas (MEX) bt [8] Allan Nunez (MEX) 3-1: 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (50m)
[5] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) bt Bryan Cueto (MEX) 3-1: 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (48m)
[2] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt Carlos Vargas (MEX) 3-0: 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (33m)

Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, August 19
[1] Arturo Salazar (MEX) v [7] Ricardo Toscano (GUA)
Jeremias Azana (ARG) v [3] Guilherme Melo (BRA)
[4] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) v Edgar Zayas (MEX)
[5] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) v [2] Alfredo Avila (MEX)