James Peach (Eng) 3-2 [1] Yannick Wilhelmi (Sui) Scores: 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7 (63m)
Unseeded Peach claims Austrian Open title
James Peach won the final of this years Austrian Open at EUROPARK shopping mall, beating top seed Yannick Wilhelmi in a 5 game battle after 63min.
The 25 year old Englishman showed us a great performance through the whole tournament and finally became the champion of the Austrian Open 2022 after beating the top three seeds !
Unfortunately it wasn´t enough for Yannick Wilhelmi who could not meet his own expectations. It was a very close match and both players have given everything for the entire match. The filled crowd was astonished by the accuracy and athleticism both showed.
Yannick was able to win the first game very clearly. Though he was not able to keep up the rhythm in the second game. His opponent James could win the second and third game. Then the Swiss could probably feel the pressure on his shoulders. He had a great start in the fourth game and was more active but the Englishman made his live really hard. James came back from 4/10 to level to 10/10. Eventually Yannick was able to take the game 12/10.
The final game was very exciting and tight as well. It went point for point, just towards the end of the game the Englishman was able to take a lead and won the deciding game 11/7 after 63min to become the new Austrian Open Champion.
Both players showed the crowd amazing skills and great performances. It was one of the best matches played here in Salzburg on the glasscourt at EUROPARK. Both played an incredible tournamant and the specators were amazed by their overall performances.
The champion’s and runner’s up trophy were handed over by vice-mayor of Salzburg Mr.Bernhard Auinger who offered the city’s support in the future again! We are very thankful for this support. This is so much asppreciated especially with the perspective that the Austrian Squash federation shows only little interest to support the event. The whole two weeks unfortunately no offical representative of the federation visited Austria’s biggest and most important squash event.
We are all very thankful to all our other supporters and sponsors and of course our host the EUROPARK shopping mall offering such a great venue. Many thanks also to all volunteers and people that helped organising and running this mega event!
It was another unforgettable two weeks of squash and a great advertising for this beautiful game and hopefully there will be many people picking up squash in the near future! There was great coverage in different media channels, TV, Radio, Newspaper, online etc. In addition to that there will be a summary and pictures coming up soon!
For now we congratulate the players and hope to see you all next year again! Aqeel Rehman
Quarters : Rehman keeps home hopes alive
Today the crowd at EUROPARK shopping mall saw four amazing quarterfinal matches of the Austrian Open, with local hero Aqeel Rehman making it into the semis.
The opening match between seventh seed Chris Binnie (JAM, WRL 135) and unseeded James Peach (ENG, WRL 172) saw the Englishman causing for another upset and beating his higher seeded opponent in four games.
The next quarterfinal between defending champion and second seed Yannik Omlor (GER, WRL 96) and sixth seed Sergio Garcia Pollan (ESP, WRL 132) turned out to become the longest match of the tournament so far. After a thrilling five-setter and 90 minutes of play, the german national player
had the better end and proceeded into the semifinal.
Also the following match was decided just after five games. The all-swiss affair between last year’s runner up and top seed Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI, WRL 94) and Robin Gadola (SUI, WRL 139) looked like a possible upset, as Robin took a 2/0 lead. However Yannick achieved a great comeback and turned the match 3/2 after 59min.
Last on court was the home favourite and fifth seed Aqeel Rehman (AUT, WRL 121) against number four seed Diego Gobbi (BRA, WRL 118). A well attended stand cheered the Austrian number one to great performance and beat the Brazilian 3/0 after 30min. He will meet Yannick Wilhelmi in a repeat of last year’s quarterfinal!
Round One : Rehman the only home survivor
The Men’s Austrian Open started today on the all-glasscourt at EUROPARK Salzburg shopping mall. The 6.000 USD PSA worldranking tournament takes place in Salzburg for the 18th time in a row. Since 2015 the event has been upgraded to the center court of the shopping mall to get the maximum exposure like no other squash event in Austria!
Eight first round matches were played and some of the seeded players were tested intensely by their opponents with unseeded James Peach (ENG,WRL 172) beating third seed Ivan Perez (ESP, WRL 98) 3/2 to cause the biggest upset of the day!
Defending Champion and runner-up from 2021 Yannik Omlor (GER, WRL 94) and Yannick Wilhelmi (SUI, WRL 96) also reached the quarterfinals. However Swiss Yannick had to battle for five games to overcome his opponent Perry Malik (ENG, WRL 179).
His swiss compatriot and eight seed Robin Gadola (SUI, WRL 139) took four games to beat Ondrej Vorlícek (CZE, WRL 188) and fourth seed Diego Gobbi didn’t drop a game against Nilo Vidal (ESP, WRL 208).
It was then time of the Austrian trio to represent the local interests. Wildcard entry Lukas Windischberger (AUT, WRL 243) and Salzburg born Jakob Dirnberger had to play higher seeded players and were facing tough tasks.
Sergio Garcia Pollan (ESP, WRL 132) was too strong for Lukas and won 3/0. In similar style Chris Binnie (runner-up 2017) overcame Jakob Dirnberger 3/0. Both Austrians showed a solid performance, as well as the international pros and so justifying their seeding. It was then
up to 16-times Austrian Champion Aqeel Rehman (WRL 121) to keep the home hopes alive.
The 36-year old Aqeel could resist the pressure and beat Valeriy Fedoruk (UKR, WRL 175) 3/0. The Ukrainian number one is of course facing a tough time and despite his situation he showed a great performance and it was an enrichment to welcome him. We wish him and his family all the best
for the future!
The quarterfinals take place on Thursday from 15:30 onwards with Austrian hope Aqeel Rehman having his match last on at 18:30. Once again there will be free entrance at EUROPARK to watch the matches.
Women’s Final : Walser the first home winner
Céline Walser (SUI, WRL 126) became the first female Austrian Open Champion in the history of the Austrian Squash Challenge. After a nervous strart she was able to turn the match to beat Katerina Tycova 3/1 in the final.
[4] Céline Walser (Sui) 3-1 [2] Katerina Tycova (Ger) 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 12-10 44m
Second seed Katerina had a very strong beginning and played a dominating and high pace. But her opponent was able to settle more to find her rhythm. It was then number four seed Céline who had the better shots which helped her to gain more confidence.
Another close second game seemed to be the turning point of the match. Céline equalized and stayed in the lead until the end of the match. Though in the fourth became very close again. Katerina saved a couple of match balls. Nevertheless in the tiebreak it was the Swiss player Céline had the better end.
Austria’s biggest Squash event continues on Monday. About 200 more juniors are expected during the Kids & School days, which will make it more than 600 kids having joined the free Squash clinics with 16 times Austrian Champion Aqeel Rehman.
He will finally also be in action during the men’s edition of the Austrian Open PSA world ranking tournament. From Wednesday on the internationel pros will fight for 6.000 USD prize money and points for the PSA world ranking.
The programme will end on Saturday 9th July with the VIP-tournament, the big raffle and of course the final of the Austrian Open. Entrance to all programmes are free of charge!
Day Two : Walser and Tycova through to Final
Celine Walser (SUI, WRL 126) and Katerina Tycova (GER, WRL 111) will contest the final of the Austrian Open at EUROPARK shopping mall.
Number four seed Celine was able to beat top seed Saskia Beinhard (GER, WRL 81) 3/1. It seemed that she was able to recover better between the quarterfinal and semifinal. However it was a very tight match with three games being decided in the tiebreak. Mostly it was the Swiss who had the
better end, but it could have gone either way.
The second semifinal was between second seed Katerina Tycova (GER, WRL 111) and number seven seed Taba Taghavi (FRA, WRL 133). Kaci‘ showed another strong performance after a tough battle in the quarterfinal earlier on.
Saturday will be Ladies Day at the Austrian Squash Challenge with many special offers for women, such as free HIT-session, special rates on squash equipment and the chance to win free personal squash sessions with 16 times Austrian Champion Aqeel Rehman.
The final of the Austrian Open is scheduled for 16:30. The prize giving ceremony will be attended by the Chief of Salzburg Sport Organisation Andrea Zarfl. So it definitely is Ladies Power to expect!
Peychär keeps home hopes alive at Austrian Open
A little history was made today by the start of the first women’s
edition of the Austrian Open as part of the Austrian Squash Challenge.
This PSA world ranking tournament offers a prize money of 3.000 USD and
points for the PSA world ranking.
The tournament takes place on the all-glasscourt in the EUROPARK
shopping mall in Salzburg. Its the biggest Squash event in the country
between 27th June – 9th July.
All seeded players made it into the second round, while most matches
were decided in three games. Though Austrian Champion Jacqueline Peychär
(WRL 131) needed four games to finally beat her opponent Salma El Alfy
(EGY, WRL 205). It was an exciting and intense match with a happy end
for the home crowd.
Unfortunately the second local favorite Sabrina Rehman (WRL 435) who
made her PSA debut could not cause for an upset against the number two
seed Katerina Tycova (GER, WRL 111). However she showed a good
performance and can be happy about the match.
On Friday there will be two rounds, the Quarterfinals start
from 12 noon and the semifinals from 18.00.
More on the Austrian Squash Challenge
