The Quarter finals of the Mens Balwin Assore Gauteng Open saw some top squash being played and most matches going to 3-2 in the men’s section.
Essam number 1 seed had to keep his focus throughout his match with JP Brits fighting for every point. At one stage Essam looked extremely tired and looked like he was going to succumb to the altitude but dug in and clawed his way back into the match winning the 4th 13 /11 and eventually taking the 5th 11/9.
Dylan Groenewald made the comeback of the night after being 2 nil down, he ran and retrieved everything until eventually Ashoush could run no more. “I made too many errors in the first 2 games but then re-focused and started playing my game. I think that this made the difference in the 3rd and 4th and I started concentrating a lot better and did not let Ahmed’s antics get into my head. I am really looking forward to playing Aqueel tomorrow and hope to give him as good a match as he had today,” said Groenewald.
Rehman maintained his cool composure and even though he was 2-1 down in games made the rallies long and hard and made Droesbeke work for every point. Eventually Rehman’s experience saw him take the 5th 11/6.
14 year old Rowan Elaraby played well constructed and very mature squash for such a young campaigner on the PSA circuit. Her length and speed to the ball put number 1 seed Cheyna Tucker under extreme pressure from the first point. Tucker never got into the game and Elaraby got more confident as the match progressed.
All other seeds in the woman’s section were uncontested.
Matches on Thursday 20 April start at 16:00 at Parkview Squash Centre.
Wednesday 20 April
Men Main Draw
[1] Shehab Essam (EGY) beat [7] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) 3-2 (11/8, 9/11, 7/11, 13/11, 11/9) – (80mins); [3] Leandro Romiglio (ARG) beat Devon Hendrikse (RSA) 3-1 (11/4, 11/8, 5/11, 11/5) – (46mins); [Q5] Dylan Groenewald (RSA) beat Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) 3-2 (5/11, 4/11, 11/9, 11/9, 11/7) – (105mins) [2] Aqeel Rehman (AUT) beat Vincent Droesbeke (FRA) 3-2 (14/16, 11/4, 5/11, 11/7, 11/6) – (73mins).
Ladies Main Draw
[5] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) beat [1] Cheyna Tucker (RSA) 3-0 (11/6, 11/3, 11/6) – (36mins); [4] Lume Landman (RSA) beat [6] Yemisi Olatunji (NGR) 3-0 (11/1, 12/10, 14/12) – (35mins); [3] Elani Landman (RSA) beat Angie Clifton-Parks (RSA) 3-0 (11/1, 11/6, 12/10) – (23mins); [2] Milnay Louw (RSA) beat Makgosi Peloakgosi (RSA) 3-0 (11/2, 11/4, 11/5) – (13mins)
