Mahesh meets George Parker in quarter-finals
By RICHARD MURPHY
Top seeds Josh Masters and Peter Creed powered through their first round encounters in the Rhiwbina Welsh Open but local hero Emyr Evans fell after a massive battle lasting 78 minutes against No.4 seed Mahesh Mangaonkar.
Three seeds were knocked out on a day of fine squash and plenty of surprises on the hot courts.
Josh Masters v Lyell Fuller: 3 -1
Lyell played some steady squash in the first game taking Josh a little bit by surprise. Josh himself made a few errors and Lyell capitalized on these to take the first game. Throughout the next three games rallies were keenly contested but Josh just seemed to have a final winning shot and prevailed in four games.
Ahsan Ayaz v Kristian Frost 3-2
This was a mini classic with Kristian taking the first two games only to be pegged back by young Ahsan. The fifth game was brutal with endless great rallies and tremendous retrieving. Kristian tinned the ball on the final point to give us the first upset on the first round. Excellent match by both.
George Parker v Jan Van Den Herrewegen: 3-1
George again slayed his higher ranked opponent to create another upset in this very long and physical encounter. Great long rallies ensued but George just got on top of Jan to go through to the next round and continue his impressive form of late.
Mahesh Mangaonkar v Emyr Evans: 3-2
What a fantastic game of squash: 78 minutes of pure drama. Emyr battled to take it into a fifth game after Mahesh seemed to be upset by a few of the refereeing decisions early doors. He re grouped however in the face of a partisan crowd to take the match 3-2. Emyr will take great encouragement from this match and will surely be destined for much higher things in the coming months and years in the game. A great effort from the Welsh lad but Mahesh moves on the next round.
Patrick Rooney v Mark Fuller 3 -0
Another attritional match saw Patrick get the edge in each game. After a tough opener mark seemed to have the previous 2 nights games in his legs and Patrick with his attacking style prevailed in 3.
Carlos Cornes Ribadas v Sam Fenwick 3-0
This was always going to be a tough ask for the wildcard young Welshman. Carlos has a very attacking nick looking game and he worked Sam around the court before finishing points with slots into the nick. Useful experience for Sam but Carlos marches on.
Ammar Altamimi v Dougie Kempsell 3 -1
Another seeding upset as Ammar playing a specific type of game fought to outdo his Scottish opponent. Both covered the court incredibly with gasps from the audience but Amar goes through to face a very interesting battle with home favourite Peter Creed.
Peter Creed v Brian Byrne 3-0
A workmanlike, solid performance from Peter saw a lone Welshman enter the second round. Pete played such great width and length that Brian did not really get into the match. Creed moves on to face tougher tests but the crowd was so behind him and with his form of late being so positive he will take some stopping.
PSA M10 Men’s Rhiwbina PSA Welsh Open 2017, Rhiwbina Recreation Club, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Wales.
Quarter-finals:
[1] Joshua Masters (ENG) v Ahsan Ayaz (PAK)
[4] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) v [Q] George Parker (ENG)
[3] Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) v [8] Patrick Rooney (ENG)
[2] Peter Creed (WAL) v Ammar Altamimi (KUW)
1st round:
[1] Joshua Masters (ENG) bt Lyell Fuller (ENG) 10-12, 11-4, 11-6, 11-8 (46m)
Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) bt [5] Kristian Frost (DEN) 7-11, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (66m)
[Q] George Parker (ENG) bt [6] Jan van den Herrewegen (BEL) 11-4, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8 (58m)
[4] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) bt [Q] Emyr Evans (WAL) 11-8, 10-12, 11-1, 10-12, 11-6 (78m)
[3] Carlos Cornes Ribadas (ESP) bt [WC] Sam Fenwick (WAL) 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 (28m)
[8] Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt [Q] Mark Fuller (ENG) 14-12, 11-4, 11-6 (38m)
Ammar Altamimi (KUW) bt [7] Douglas Kempsell (SCO) 12-10, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10 (61m)
[2] Peter Creed (WAL) bt [Q] Brian Byrne (IRL) 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 (45m)
Qualifying finals:
Brian Byrne (IRL) bt James Peach (ENG) 11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9 (41m)
George Parker (ENG) bt Rui Soares (POR) 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 (39m)
Mark Fuller (ENG) bt Ondrej Uherka (CZE) 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (43m)
Emyr Evans (WAL) bt Robert Downer (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (42m)
1st qualifying round:
James Peach (ENG) bt Asim Khan (PAK) 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5 (41m)
Brian Byrne (IRL) bt Sean Conroy (IRL) 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (30m)
George Parker (ENG) bt Connor Sheen (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (30m)
Rui Soares (POR) bt Mark Broekman (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (25m)
Mark Fuller (ENG) bt Liam Eason (WAL) 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 (38m)
Ondrej Uherka (CZE) bt Dan Bergin (WAL) 13-11, 11-2, 11-9 (35m)
Robert Downer (ENG) bt David Haley (WAL) 11-7, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8 (54m)
Emyr Evans (WAL) bt Lewis Walters (JAM) 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 (34m)