4th PSA title for Alejandro Enriquez
Alejandro wins the 25th Atlanta Open, beating 2023 Atlanta Open Champion Zahed Salem in 24 min 7, 6, 2.
Zahed was unable to play his best and was struggling a little on the day, but was upbeat about his performance getting to the final. Alejandro was ecstatic and cant wait to come back and defend his title. Winner of the event were handed the keys to a luvly MB of Buckhead who were the tournament car sponsor of the Atlanta Open for the second year.!!
Semis : Celia Pashley reports
The first semi-final was a clash of generations between the young UPenn player Nick Spizzirri and the experienced former world #14 Zahed Salem.
Nick got off to a great start, taking the lead early, offering himself 6 game balls. Zahed saved 2 but Nick still managed to win the game 11/6 on a perfect crosscourt.
Zahed came back firing in the second game, volleying early and putting Nick under much pressure. At 10/3 down, Nick fought hard, saving 4 game balls, but Zahed clinched the game 11/7 to make it 1-1
The third had a similar scenario with Zahed’s relentless attaching, making it hard for Nick to settle, earning himself 7 game balls. Despite Nick’s effort, Zahed took the game 11/6 to take the lead 2-1.
The fourth game was a big battle. Both players traded points until 4/4. From there, Zahed took the next four points to make it 8/4. A few long rallies later, Zahed was serving for the match at 10/6. Nick gave everything he had left, saving four match balls, but it was not enough. Zahed took the game 12/10 and the match 3-1 to reach the final of the 25th Atlanta Open.
Unfortunately, the second semi final wasn’t played as Muhammad Ashab Irfan had to pull out due to an injury occurred during his quarter final match. Alejandro Enriquez received a walk over and will be playing Zahed in the final.
Quarters
There is no seeded player left in the top of the draw as Wildcard Zahed Salem continues to show his great form taking out #5 seed Chris Gordon in three in the first quarter final. We saw some great rallies but Zahed was always in control and booked his spot in the semi-final after 37min winning 11/6 11/6 11/8
He will face unseeded player, Nick Spizzirri, who will be eager to keep up his epic run after beating Jan Wipperfurth in four. Nick took control of the first game winning 11/4 but Jan came back firing in the second, taking a 6/1 lead. However, Nick fought back, finding his targets again to sneak the game 11/9. The third was another battle but this time it’s Jan who managed to win it 11/9.
Nick was not gonna miss his opportunity to reach the semi finals and got back in control winning the first 8 points in row. Despite Jan’s effort, Nick was too far ahead and closed out the match 3-1 in 45min.
#3 seed Muhammad Ashab Irfan got the best of Cesar Segundo in three games. Despite a slow start in the first game, Cesar fought back but Muhammad managed to hold on and win it 11-9.
The second game was more one sided with Muhammad fully in control and Cesar probably feeling his 75min match from the day before. One last push from Cesar in the third game was not enough to unsettle Muhammad who looked really sharp, taking the game 11/7 and the match 3-0 in 41min.
In the semi finals, he will play #2 seed Alejandro Enriquez who beat Connor Turk in the longest match of the night. Alejandro looked in control in the first two games, taking them 11/5 11/4. However, Connor came back strong in the third, showing some great squash, fighting his way to an 11/8 win. The fourth was highly contested but this time it’s Alejandro who pull through winning the game 11/8 in 51min to reach the last four.
Round Two : Celia Pashley reports
The second round of the 25th Atlanta Open was full of entertainment with only 3 seeds making it through to the quarters.
Last minute Wild Card Zahed Salem took out #1 seed, Spencer Lovejoy in a highly contested match. After losing the first game 11/4, he came back to win it the next three games 11/9, 11/7, 11/5 in 56min, despite Spencer’s fighting spirit, showing why he is a former world #14.
He will now face Christopher Gordon, the #5 seed, who overcame Adegoke Onaopemipo in four games 11/5 11/6 5/11 11/6 in 45min.
Jan Wipperfurth upset the seeding once again, beating #8 seed, Liam Marrison in a close 3-1 win. Saving 3 game balls in the first game, he eventually took it 12/10, with Liam fighting back to win the second game 11-5. Jan got back in control to win the third 11-7 and had to save more game balls in the fourth game to finally clinch the victory 13-11 in 58min.
He will face another giant killer, Nick Spizzirri who fought hard to beat former Penn Squash teammate and #4 seed, Dillon Huang in the longest match of the day. Nick edged past Dillon 11/8 in the first game but saw Dillon come back strong with a 11/3 win in the second. Nick got back into it quickly with a strong third, winning 11/1. The fourth game was a big battle with a lot of traffic issues between the two tall players. Nick had his chances but it’s Dillon who closed it 14-12 and forced a fifth game. Nick started off well and despite Dillon’s effort, managed to keep his lead and secure the win 3-2 in 82min to earn a spot in the quarter finals.
#3 seed, Muhammad Ash Irfan was in control in the first two games before Babatunde Ajagbe fought his way back to win the third game 12/10 after saving match balls. Despite his efforts in a close fourth game, Muhammad kept his lead and booked his place in the quarter finals 3-1 in 48min.
He will meet Cesar Segundo Corona who beat #6 seed, David Costales in the second longest match of the day. Both players’ retrieval skills made this match a very entertaining one, with the crowd constantly amazed at their ability to pick up the ball from anywhere on the court. Cesar squeezed the first game 12-10 and the second 13-11 after saving game balls. David took a good lead in the third and despite Cesar’s best effort, won the game 11-9. Cesar started strong in the fourth and managed to keep his lead winning 11-8 and thus the match 3-1 in 75min.
Connor Turk looked in great form as he beat #7 seed, Henrik Mustonen 3-0 in 31min. Some contested rallies but Connor was always in control winning 11/7 11/8 11/7. He will play against #2 seed Alejandro Enriquez in the quarter finals.
Alejandro lost the first game 11/8 to Jamie Ruggiero, who was putting him under a lot of pressure. But from there, Alejandro was too strong taking back control of the game to win the next three 11/5 11/5 11/5 in 49min.
