James decks Farhan to advance into Atlanta semi-finals
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor
England’s Declan James produced a huge upset by defeating third seed Farhan Zaman to reach the semi-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 Squash Championship – the second US Pro Squash Series event of 2014.
The 20-year-old from Nottingham recovered from a drubbing in the first game to overcome Pakistan’s world number 68 Zaman 2-11, 11-8, 15-13, 12-10.
James (pictured right), ranked 91 in the world, now faces top seed Cesar Salazar in the last four at the Lifetime Athletic Atlanta in the capital of the US state of Georgia.
In a match described by tournament director Andre Maur as “the best match of the day”, the Mexican had to fight back from 2-1 down to beat seventh-seeded Dutchman Sebastiaan Weenink 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10.
Pakistani second seed Nasir Iqbal reached the last four after despatching fellow countryman Aqib Hanif, a qualifier, 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6.
And the 19-year-old from Bannu will now face a further qualifier when he meets Englishman Adam Murrills.
The 23-year-old from Manchester overcame ‘Lucky Loser’ Jean-Pierre Brits, from South Africa, 11-2, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7.
Semi-final Draw:
[1] Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [5] Declan James (ENG)
[2] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) v [Q] Adam Murrills (ENG)
Quarter-Final Results:
[1] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-2 [7] Sebastiaan Weenink (NED) 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10
[5] Declan James (ENG) 3-1 [3] Farhan Zaman (PAK) 2-11, 11-8, 15-13, 12-10
[Q] Adam Murrills (ENG) 3-1 [LL] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) 11-2, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7
[2] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) 3-1 [Q] Aqib Hanif (PAK) 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6
First Round Results:
[1] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-0 [LL] Cameron Stafford (CAY) 14-12, 11-9, 11-8
[7] Sebastiaan Weenink (NED) 3-0 [Q] Ollie Holland (ENG) 11-8, 11-3, 11-3
[5] Declan James (ENG) 3-1 Syed Ali Mujtaba Shah Bokhari (PAK) 11-9, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10
[3] Farhan Zaman (PAK) 3-1 [WC] Sean Conroy (IRL) 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6
[LL] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) 3-2 [4] Yasir Ali Butt (PAK) 14-12, 11-4, 3-11, 4-11, 11-9
[Q] Adam Murrills (ENG) 3-0 [8] Joe Chapman (IVB) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6
[Q] Aqib Hanif (PAK) 3-1 [6] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 10-12, 12-10, 11-2, 11-8
[2] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt [Q] Adam Auckland (ENG) 11-5, 11-9, 11-7
Picture by Kim Roberts