English outsider to Egyptian to set up Battle of Britain with Alan Clyne
By NATHAN CLARKE
England’s Eddie Charlton, the 26-year-old World No.58, pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career to dump top seeded World No.13 Marwan Elshorbagy out of the 2015 VIII Torneo Internacional PSA Sporta, International 35 tournament taking place in Guatemala, at the first hurdle.
Charlton has failed to progress beyond the first round in 11 of his last 13 tournaments but produced an inspired performance to come from two-games down to see-off the English-based Egyptian player in an epic five-game encounter, eventually sealing the win 6-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 to set up a quarter-finals encounter with Scotland’s Alan Clyne, who beat Chris Gordon (USA) in straight games.
“I’m really pleased to get the win and with how I played against Marwan as he’s a top player,” said Charlton.
“I’m looking forward to the quarter-finals now.”
Elsewhere there was also a shock win for Dutchman Piedro Schweertman, the World No.75 who booked his place in the main draw after coming through qualification, as he came from a game down to defeat World No.29 Adrian Grant, the number four seed from England.
Schweertman will line up against Egyptian Mohamed Abouelghar in the last eight after he rallied from two games down to see off teenage sensation Diego Elias amidst an opening day of drama.
VIII Torneo Internacional PSA Sporta 2015: First Round.
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Alfredo Avila (MEX) 3-1: 11-2, 7-11, 11-2, 11-9
[8] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) bt [Q] Mohamed Reda (EGY) 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-7
[7] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt Diego Elias (PER) 3-2: 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9
[Q] Piedro Schweertman (NED) bt [4] Adrian Grant (ENG) 3-1: 8-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
[3] Chris Simpson (ENG) bt [WC] Josue Enriquez (GUA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-3, 13-11
[6] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [Q] Joel Hinds (ENG) 3-1: 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-4
[5] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-7
Eddie Charlton (ENG) bt [2] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-2: 6-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
Draw – Quarter-finals:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v [8] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[7] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [Q] Piedro Schweertman (NED)
[3] Chris Simpson (ENG) v [6] Cesar Salazar (MEX)
[5] Alan Clyne (SCO) v Eddie Charlton (ENG)
Picture by BRYAN LINTOTT