Finals : Lee and Wai Yeong triumph in Madeira
Debuts with coronations. It was with a display of great class, one more, that Charlie Lee secured the victory in the Madeira International Squash Tournament, against the Dutchman Rowan Damming, by 3-0. An unblemished triumph for the English player, who can again celebrate the taste of victory in his debut in the Madeiran tournament after a long absence from the PSA circuit due to injury. In the Women’s Draw, another debutant, Wai Yhann Au Yeong, put an end to Isabel McCullough’s dream week, winning 3-2 and preventing the young Englishwoman from celebrating her first victory in Madeira.
Report continues below the draws …
Finals report continued …
Emotional, very emotional the way Charlie Lee celebrated his return to winning ways. In his debut at the Madeira International Tournament, the English player confirmed all his credentials and ended up overcoming all the opposition, stressing his superiority with a very elegant and, above all, extremely effective squash. The former England U15, U17, U19 national champion and European champion with the England national team in 2023, is back to his best, after very difficult times caused by a serious injury.
Charlie Lee was thus able to savor the return to success, after beating the young Dutchman Rowan Damming by 3-0. The score of 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 reflect well the superiority of the English player and despite the strong opposition of Damming, who did everything to try to reverse the clear trend that the match took from the opening serve, he had to settle for second place in the competition.
Only the second game was in doubt, with the score reaching 9-8 on the Dutch player’s serve. However, a controversial refereeing decision and a mistake by Rowan Damming were enough for Charlie Lee to close the game (11-9) and shoot for victory in the match.
“A few weeks ago, I was asking the organization for a wild-card, but fortunately I was able to use the protection of the ranking on my return to be able to be present. I’m very happy to have come here. The tournament is amazing and being able to win it was a real pleasure. Congratulations to Rowan for a great week and a very good game in the final. It was an incredibly tough game and being able to win in 3 games makes me very proud of my performance”, said the new TIM title holder.
In the end, Charlie Lee couldn’t hide his emotion when talking about the recent past. “Thank you to everyone who supported me during my injury. Those were dark times where I even thought I wouldn’t be able to return. Winning a tournament so quickly after coming back is very good. Thank you to my dad for being here. Is very special to me. I don’t know if I could have won without his presence”, concluded the English player.
5 games and champion in debut
This was a Madeira Tournament edition that crowned two debutants as champions. It was not only Charlie Lee who managed to win the title in his debut at the Madeira International Tournament, Wai Yhann Au Yeong also repeated the feat, putting an end to Isabel McCullough’s dream week, by defeating the young Englishwoman in five games (3-2), in a very disputed final.
The 4th seed of the competition has always given excellent indicators throughout the tournament and today confirmed the predictions that pointed to her as one of the possible surprises of the competition in the race for the coveted trophy. However, the biggest surprise was Isabel McCullough’s presence in the final. Surprise only for those who did not follow the tournament, as the young Englishwoman’s performance level was very high and was only stopped by Wai Yhann Au Yeong.
The final was extremely disputed and to Isabel McCullough’s more physical and explosive squash, Wai Yhann Au Yeong responded with a more cerebral, slower and precise game. The Singaporean player’s “boast” was the shot that caused the most damage to McCulllough, breaking the movement of the young Englishwoman and causing big problems during the points. As was her trademark throughout the week, McCullough fought hard, tried to impose a high pace, but this time she came across an opponent who knew how to deal well with the pressure, brilliantly containing the most aggressive squash of the young Englishwoman. The score of 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7 reflects well the intense battle that took place on the courts of the Galo Active Health Club.
The victory would suit any of the finalists, but it ends up rewarding the greater experience of the Singaporean player. McCullough, on the other hand, only has to be proud of her performance in Madeira, where she removed the 1st and 2nd seeds from the competition.
“It was a very tight game. Isabel is very strong and has been playing very well all week. I knew it was going to be a very complicated game and it was. I’ve been playing well and I’ve tried to stay focused. This was my first final in a 6k event and I’m very happy to have won. Thank you Isabel for a great final,” said Wai Yhann Au Yeong. The Singaporean player promises to return: “Everyone has been fantastic and so friendly. It’s a very nice place and I hope to be able to come back next year”.
Semi-Finals : Damming and Lee in men’s final ad McCullough dream continues
Rowan Damming emerged the strongest in the clash between two former world junior champions, beating Pakistani Hamza Khan 3-1, in the first semi-final of the Madeira International Tournament. In the other Men’s match, Charlie Lee beat Moustafa El Sirty, 3-0, in what was the Egyptian player’s first defeat in three appearances in Madeira. In the women’s competition, Isabel McCullough continued the dream week she has been experiencing and today it was Kiera Marshall’s turn to give in, 3-1, to the incredible form that the young English player has been showing. Wai Yhann Au Yeong is the other finalist in the Women’s Table, after edging out Anna Serme following a tough 5-set battle.
The courts at Galo Active Health Club were too small for the large crowd that went to Sentido Galosol today to watch the best squash in the world. Tomorrow the scenario will certainly repeat itself for the finals, where Rowan Damming will compete against Charlie Lee (what a game in perspective!) and Isabel McCullough facing Wai Yhann Au Yeong.
What great games we were able to watch today, in the semi-finals of the Madeira International Tournament. A privilege for the large audience that completely filled the Galo Active Health Club courts.
In the first match of the day, Rowan Damming and Hamza Khan faced each other in a shootout between two former world junior champions, of 2022 and 2023, respectively. If the match had a lot of expectations, the truth is that the spectacle did not disappoint, with both players giving themselves completely to the game. Hamza Khan came out better, with an amazing squash that sometimes seemed too casual. The truth is that the young Pakistani’s talent is unequivocal and when he is ON, he is very difficult to counter. Damming, on the other hand, always remained close in the scoreboard, fighting for all the points and returning incredible balls, which forced Khan to always have to take another shot when the point already seemed won.
The score of 12-10 in favor of the Pakistani player left everything open for the rest of the match. Damming’s response to losing the first game was, however, explosive. The Dutch player came out strong in the second set and didn’t give his opponent any chance, with an aggressive squash, played at a very high pace. It was at this moment that the first signs of weakness in Hamza Khan’s armor began to appear. The Pakistani player seemed to be physically hurting with the intensity of the fight and ended up losing the game 3-11. In the third game, Hamza Khan gave everything he had to give himself an advantage in the match, but it was Damming who ended up finishing stronger, closing the third 11-8.
There was a general feeling that this was the key to the match and that was exactly what was confirmed. The young Dutchman continued to maintain a high pace and a very physical squash, which received no response from Hamza Khan, clearly physically weakened. Rowan ended up closing the score 11-3, winning 3-1 in games.
“I’m very happy to have managed to win in 4 games. Hamza is a very, very good player. He is very skilled and has an incredible talent. To be under-19 world champion you need to be a good player and I’m very happy to have managed to win and be in the final tomorrow”, began the Dutch player.
Regarding tomorrow’s final, Rowan seemed comfortable. “I feel good. My game only lasted 45 minutes and I hope to recover to be in good shape. They are still playing (Lee and El Sirty) and I hope it will be a tough game so that they will be in more pain than me tomorrow (laughs). I hope it will be a great match and that I can be here in the interview area to comment on the victory”, concluded the young Dutchman.
In the other semi-final, Charlie Lee put an end to Moustafa El Sirty’s unbeaten run in the Madeiran tournament. It wasn´t a third time lucky and El Sirty ended up defeated. A result that can only surprise those who didn’t watch the match, since Charlie Lee played impeccably, containing the Egyptian’s attacking game very well and counterattacking even better.
Yesterday, at the end of the match with Temwa Chileshe, Lee said that he would have to improve the level of his squash to aim to win today and that’s exactly what he did. With sublime movement, which appears to have no difficulty at all (pure mistake), the English player returned everything that Moustafa El Sirty threw at him, frustrating the two-time winner in Madeira.
When he needed to be physical, Charlie Lee was physical and when it was necessary to be precise and delicate, the English player also showed that he was capable of doing that. A sublime performance from the English player (by far his best in the competition), who stamped his ticket to the grand final with a score of 3-1 (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5).
“El Sirty is a good player and has a very strong game. It was a battle, a very tough game. In the end I’m happy to have won”, began by highlighting the English player. Regarding tomorrow’s final, Charlie seemed calm: “It’s my first presence in Madeira. I’m having fun. I have my game plan. We’ll see if I have what it takes to win. I know it will be a battle but I will give everything I have.”
An incredible game is in store tomorrow, at 3:00 pm, on the Galo Active Health Club courts. Rowan Damming versus Charlie Lee, a duel clearly not to be missed.
McCullough dream week continues
It was not a friendly draw that Isabel McCullough had to endure in the Madeira International Tournament. Always facing highly rated opponents and some with a much higher PSA ranking than her own, the truth is that the young English player has been intractable on Madeiran soil.
Today, against Kiera Marshall, in an all-English affair, McCullough once again demonstrated impressive form, always posing many problems to her most highly rated opponent. From early doors it was clear that Isabel would once again repeat the recipe that had brought her so much success in Madeira, with aggressive squash, played at a very high pace and very physical.
In fact, McCullough’s speed and ability to recover from complicated situations has been nothing short of brilliant. After winning the first game 11-6, Isabel McCullough saw Kiera Marshall respond in the second. Marshall showed all her quality and closed the second game 11-9. The third set promised a lot and started explosively, with very long and physical opening points.
At that moment, Isabel McCullough scared everyone present when she fell alone with an injury to her left foot. Everyone feared the worst. The match was interrupted to assist the young Englishwoman who, showing incredible spirit, returned to the game. Not only did she returned but continued exactly where he had left off, devoting herself relentlessly to the fight. A remarkable hunger to win, present in every point she disputes.
Kiera Marshall played her role and was also at a great level, contributing greatly to the show. The audience present thanked, by celebrating each point. Only the excessive number of decisions, appeals and interactions with the referee hurt a game that had brilliant moments.
The score of 11-9 in favor of McCullough in the third seemed to affect the oldest of the young English players. Marshall was not the same in the fourth and final set and Isabel McCullough took advantage to close the score with a comfortable 11-5.
“I don’t really know how I’m feeling, to be honest. Tomorrow will be my first final in a 6K tournament. It was a very tough game against Kiera. It wasn’t the cleanest, but I managed to figure out a way to win. I’m looking forward to the final”, highlighted the young Englishwoman. Upon reaching the first 6k final of her career, Isabel McCullough still doesn’t quite know how to react: “I’m still processing it. I’m going to watch the match that’s taking place now to see who wins and prepare for tomorrow. I’m very motivated.”
In the second semi-final of the day, Wai Yhann Au Yeong faced Anna Serme, in a match between the 4th and 2nd seeds of the tournament. The proximity in the “seed” ended up having an impact on the court, with the match only being decided in the fifth and decisive game (3-2).
A game with two distinct parts. Wai Yhann Au Yeong was better and more dominant in the first two games, forcing Serme to work hard to cover the court, with the Singaporean player controlling the ball and the rhythms of the game very well. The score of 11-8 and 11-8 in favor of Wai Yhann Au Yeong clearly reflected the Asian athlete’s superiority in the opening moments of the match. Anna Serme, however, had not yet said her last word and fought back in the third and fourth sets. Lowering the pace of the game a little and taking more of the initiative when attacking, the Czech player became the dominant player on the court, forcing Wai Yeong to chase the points. 11-9 and 11-7 were the scores of these games, which suggested a fifth set with an unpredictable outcome.
Anna Serme looked better however it was Wai Yhann Au Yeong who ended up stronger. With two unanswered 3-point blocks (5-1 and 8-2), the Singaporean player practically sealed the fate of the match. As the great player she is, Anna Serme still reacted and reduced the distance, but there was little she could do. The score of 11-7 closed the match.
“I was leading 2-0 and then she recovered and tied everything at 2. I’m very happy to have managed to win the fifth and be in the final. I knew it was going to be very complicated, because she is a strong player. I tried to stay focused, fight for all the points and I’m very happy to come through”, said the Singaporean player.
Looking ahead to her first final at this event, Wai Yeong said: “I’m very motivated. The tournament has been fantastic, with an incredible atmosphere, with a lot of people involved. It’s my first final in a 6k tournament and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.”
A grand final in prospect, between the big surprise of the competition, the young Isabel McCullough, and the previous number 81 in the PSA ranking Wai Yhann Au Yeong.
Quarter-Finals : End of the road for Noah
The island of Madeira has been the stage of many enchanting stories. Noah Meredith’s tale, however, will not be part of the wonderful fables of the Pearl of the Atlantic. All because Rowan Damming wasn’t having any of it and literally ended Noah’s dream.
The young Dutchman was intractable and defeated his opponent by 3-1, sealing his place in the semi-finals of the competition where, tomorrow, he will face another junior world champion, Hamza Khan.
Egyptian Moustafa El Sirty continues his quest for a third title in the competition, but to do so he will have to overcome opposition from Charlie Lee, who has also secured a place among the last four.
Meanwhile in the Women’s Draw the top seed was eliminated …
After eliminating top seed Rui Soares from the competition, Noah Meredith entered the court today with high spirits and looking to repeat the same feat against Rowan Damming. However, the English player soon realized that his opponent had other plans. The 2022 world junior champion was always been incredibly connected to the game, showing enormous mental strength and iron discipline based on an impressive physical capacity. Noah tried everything to destabilize his opponent, but Damming remained indifferent to everything, showing absolute concentration on a single objective: winning. And that’s what he did in just 43 minutes, in what was the fastest game in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The 3-1 victory (11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 11-8) suits the young Dutchman’s performance well. “This is my first semi-final in a 15k tournament this year and I am very happy. Winning 3-1 was good, but I think I could have closed it in 3 games, but he ended up winning at the end of the third”, said Damming.
Regarding the semi-final match against Hamza Khan, scheduled for tomorrow (4pm), the Dutch player was excited: “I’m very motivated to play against Hamza. I’m the 2022 world junior champion and he’s the 2023 world junior champion. He stole the title from me that year and I’m really excited to be able to face him and see who’s the best. I’ve never played against him and I can’t wait.”
Young Hamza Khan had an arduous task ahead of him today, facing Frenchman Lucas Serme, the third seed in the event. The truth is that the Pakistani player started the match very well, with a squash full of creativity and a lot of play in front of the court. The experienced French player seemed slightly surprised by his opponent’s style of play and took some time to get into the match, conceding the first set 7-11. However, Lucas Serme is a warrior with many battles fought and it didn’t take him long to adapt his game and respond to the talented Pakistani, winning the second game 11-5. From this moment on, there was not much separating the two players and the little details made the difference, with Hamza Khan being the strongest in the decisive moments of the games and achieving a hard-fought victory by 11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 12 -10, in 50 minutes of high-level squash.
“It was a great game. A very tough game. I managed to win the third seed of the tournament. He is a very good player and I am very happy to have managed to win 3-1”, began by highlighting Hamza Khan. Regarding the semi-final match, the young Pakistani maintained the speech he has been giving throughout the competition: “Tomorrow I will do my best to try to win. The objective is to do my best and then we’ll see.”
If anyone knows how to win in Madeira, it’s Moustafa El Sirty. The Egyptian player has already stated that he wants to win his third title in the competition and today he once again presented everyone with an impressive demonstration of strength and technique. Credit to Elijah Thomas, who did everything he could to try to counter El Sirty’s power, but the truth is that the Egyptian player was at a different level. The score of 11-5, 12-14, 11-7, 11-6 reflect well the history of the match, which exceeded 60 minutes in duration (63 minutes). With this result, the two-time champion booked a meeting with Englishman Charlie Lee in the semi-finals. “It was the first time I faced Elijah so I am very happy to have won and to be in the semi-finals”, said Moustafa El Sirty. Regarding tomorrow’s match, the Egyptian player assured that he will do his homework: “Charlie is a good player. He has been suffering from some injuries and now he is back. I hope I can play well tomorrow. It’s the first time I’m going to play with Charlie and I don’t really know what to expect. So now I’m going home to watch some videos.”
It was a tough battle, but Charlie Lee managed to survive the 5 sets he had to play against New Zealander Temwa Chileshe. The 2nd seed had to present his best game to be able to break down Chileshe’s tenacious resistance, who once again left excellent indicators today. The 3-2 victory suits Lee, who in the end was the one who dominated the most and who most sought to win. The young New Zealander resisted as long as he could and while he could. The pressure exerted by Lee during the match was a lot and in the last two games Temwa was no longer able to present physical levels that would allow him to stay in the match and continue fighting. The partials of 10-12, 11-5, 6-11, 11-4, 11-2 are a mirror of this.
“It was a difficult game. We are good friends and it is always difficult to face a friend. I finished very strong and that’s what I take from this game. I started well, but then I lost concentration. If I want to be successful here, I have to improve and I will try to do that tomorrow. I’ve never faced Moustafa El Sirty. He is obviously a very strong player who has been at the highest level of squash. I have to be at my best physically, mentally and technically if I want to have a chance”, commented the English player at the end.
Women’s Top seed eliminated
Surprise in the Women’s draw where the number one seed was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the competition. Alina Bushma ended up being surprised by the English Isabel McCullough (5th seed), being eliminated from the event in consecutive games (3-0).
The Ukrainian player was never comfortable in the match, always finding it difficult to face Isabel McCullough’s aggressive squash. The English player had already shown that she was in good shape against the Swiss Celine Walser and appeared in the match very confident. Always looking to impose their game, the players engaged in a very physical squash, with many decisions in between which, at times, detracted from the show. However, they were also able to score some of the best-contested points of the entire competition, turning the crowd wild.
The score of 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 clearly reveal the balance of forces between the players, with Isabel McCullough managing to be stronger in the decisive moments of the games, which ended up making all the difference.
“I came to this tournament with a very difficult draw, having to face the 1st seed in the quarter-finals. I didn’t have high expectations as it’s my last tournament of the year. I was very happy to have managed to pass yesterday and arrived at this game without any kind of pressure. I’m very happy to have achieved another victory, against someone who has a much higher ranking than me. I’m really looking forward to playing tomorrow (semi-finals). I’ve played against Kiera a few times. Now I’m going to try to recover as much as possible and prepare for a good game tomorrow”, said McCullough at the end.
In the other semi-final of the day, Kiera Marshall prevailed (3-1) against Olivia Besant. In an all-English duel, Marshall ended up confirming her favoritism, but Olivia Besant made life very difficult for her compatriot, giving in only after 4 hard-fought games. The score of 8-11, 11-4, 13-11, 18-16 clearly reveal the toughness of the battle between the English players, in a match that featured many controversial decisions, incredible points and breathtaking plays, in a match that It lasted 38 minutes.
“Olivia is a very tough opponent. She attacks the front a lot and is very dangerous in the middle of the court. It was very even. We had a lot of game balls and tie-breaks. It was a mental battle and I’m very happy to have managed to overcome a very dangerous player”, said the 2nd seed of the tournament. Regarding tomorrow’s match, Kiera was cautious. “Isabel has improved a lot in the last 6 months and I am sure that her ranking will improve very quickly. She deserves to be in a much higher position. She is very strong and difficult to break. I’m going to do my best and see what I can do.”
The two Portuguese players still in the competition suffered the same fate, losing their respective matches by the same 3-0 score, thus ending hopes of a Portuguese presence in the semi-finals of the competition.
Sofia Aveiro Pita entered the court too eagerly against the very experienced Wai Yeong, perhaps accusing the moment and the pressure of being able to be in the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time, an objective that the Madeiran had set as the goal to achieve. In the first two games, the Portuguese player was a shadow of herself, never managing to impose her game and giving in with relative ease to the best squash of her opponent, who knew how to make the most of Sofia Pita’s weaknesses on the day. Double 11-2 was the score with which the Singaporean player quickly reached a two-game lead. In the third set Sofia loosened up more and played more according to her real value, but it was already too late. Wai Yeong ended up closing the match 11-7 and sealing her presence in the semi-final where he will face Anna Serme.
Anna Serme showed that despite not being at her best level yet, as she recently stated, she still plays a high quality squash and, to the chagrin of the many spectators present, she beat the Portuguese national champion, Catarina Nunes, 3-0. The partial scores of 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 show the good response of Catarina Nunes, however, the superior quality and experience of the Czech player ended up making all the difference in the decisive moments of the sets and so the Serme family guaranteed the presence of one of its members in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
“I am really happy. Catarina is an excellent person and it was a very good battle. She raised the level of her game in the third set and I am very happy to have managed to win in 3 games”, began by referring to Anna Serme. Regarding the semi-final game, the Czech player said the following: “I will have to analyze some videos to prepare myself in the best way. I’m very happy to be back in a semi-final and I’m going to give everything I have. We’ll see, let’s hope it goes well.”
Day Two Report : Meredith downs top seed Soares
Noah Meredith staged the big surprise in the second round of the Madeira International Tournament, eliminating the competition’s 1st seed, the Portuguese Rui Soares, by 3-2. The current 248th player in the PSA ranking secured one of the best victories of his career against the 59th player in the world. A great result for Meredith who performed at a very high level, always putting a lot of pressure on Rui Soares and fully justifying the victory.
The second day of competition saw the quality of the squash played clearly increase and those who on the first day of competition seemed so strong on the court, today had to resign themselves to the power of the main players present on the courts of Galo Active Health Club. For both the men’s and women’s draw, big games are expected for the quarter-finals of the competition, scheduled for tomorrow.
It won’t be anytime soon that Noah Meredith will forget this day. The young English player was produced the biggest surprise on the second day of competition at the Madeira International Tournament by beating the 1st seed in the men’s table, the favorite Rui Soares. To the shock of everyone who watched the match and supported the Portuguese national champion, who was playing at home, it was Noah Meredith who took control of the match early on and dictated much of the proceedings.
With attacking squash and always seeking to put pressure on his opponent, Noah Meredith took the initiative away from the Portuguese player and, with that, gained a competitive advantage that proved to be decisive. The score of 3-2 (11-8, 13-11, 6-11, 10-12, 11-8) in favor of the English player clearly reveals the great fight that both were involved in. “Today I played very well. The first two games I started very well, I made him work hard and I stuck to the game plan. In the next two games I made some mistakes and couldn’t stick to the plan I had outlined. In the fifth I came back more relaxed and executed the game plan very well”, assured Noah Meredith
Rowan Damming did not give Pascal Gomez an easy life and sealed his presence in the quarter-finals with a 3-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-3) victory in just 34 minutes. The 2022 junior world champion showed that he is in good shape and that he must be counted on for the decisive moments of the race for the title. “I’m very happy to have won 3-0. Sometimes I play stupidly and lose games unnecessarily. It was a good game, with good rallies. I felt like I was hit well and hit my targets. I’m very happy and excited for tomorrow”, said the Dutch player at the end.
Quality has no age and that was exactly what Lucas Serme proved against Englishman James Peach. The 32-year-old French player showed a sublime level of squash, completely controlling the match from the opening serve. The score of 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 clearly demonstrate the superiority of Serme, who will now face the young world junior champion of 2023, Hamza Khan, in what appears to be the most attractive match of the quarter-finals of the competition.
“I am very pleased with my first victory in Madeira. I moved very well. I felt no pain and I am very satisfied. I’m coming back from knee surgery and haven’t played much yet. Therefore, I just want to play without pain and every point gained is important to me”, revealed Lucas Serme.
Pakistani Hamza Khan once again showed his enormous talent, this time defeating New Zealander Lwamba Chileshe 3-1 (11-9, 12-14, 11-6, 11-8). The young world junior champion of 2023 continued to amaze the Madeiran public with his attacking squash and despite the enormous effort of Chileshe, who never gave up a single ball, ended up closing the match in just under 60 minutes. “I won my second game in the tournament and I am very satisfied. He was a seeded player in the competition and I’m really happy to be in the quarter-finals tomorrow. I will do my best again tomorrow”, highlighted Hamza Khan.
The winner of last year’s edition, Moustafa El Sirty began his title defense with a consistent performance against Welshman Rhys Evans. With more technical arguments than his opponent, El Sirty had to deal with the tenacity of Evans, always very combative and physically available. The final result of 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-3) reflects well the events on the court. Moustafa El Sirty could not hide his satisfaction at the end of the match. “Obviously I am very happy with this victory. Rhys has been playing well and I’m really happy to be in the second round. I’ll take it game by game, but everyone is in the tournament thinking about winning. I’ve already won twice and I hope to a third time lucky”, stated the egyptian player.
Another of the matches that went the distance was the one between Elijah Thomas and Darren Pragasam, with the New Zealand player managing to overcome the Malaysian only in the 5th set, after 70 minutes of great squash. The first three games were very competitive and the difference was in the small details. The score of 9-11, 11-7 and 13-15 in favor of Pragasam is very revealing of the balance of forces on the court. From the fourth set onwards, however, Elijah Thomas run to victory, based on an apparent superior physical condition. 11-2 and 11-4 were the final numbers with which the New Zealand player closed the score 3-2.
“It was a very tough game. It was the first time I played against Darren and I had some difficulty finding my rhythm. At the beginning he played very well and was able to break my movement. I withstood the pressure and managed to find my rhythm. I’ve been training a lot and I have nothing to lose. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s battle”, said the winner at the end.
The meeting between Temwa Chileshe and Stuart MacGregor turned out to be the most emotive of the second round of the men’s competition. After two first sets completely controlled by Temwa Chileshe (11-6, 11-3) and which suggested a calm victory for the New Zealand player, Stuart McGregor reacted in a superior way and through a more aggressive and positive squash managed to tie the match (9-11, 7-11) and postpone everything to the fifth and decisive game. Everything was decided only by advantages with Temwa Chileshe being the stronger and managing to close the match 11-9.
“I started very well. I was 2-0 up pretty quickly, I think in 20 minutes. Then he changed his game plan and it became very complicated. It was a very long and physical encounter. I managed to push and close the match and I’m very proud of having managed to cross the finish line”, highlighted the New Zealander.
In the last match of the day, Charlie Lee made his debut in Madeira against the Swiss David Bernet. There was a lot of curiosity to see the English player in action and the truth is that Lee did not disappoint, presenting the audience with brilliant moves and some very beautiful squash. However, a word to the excellent reply from David Bernet, who in the first two games sold the defeat very dearly (12-10, 14-12). In the third set, the Swiss player’s physical freshness disappeared due to the pressure exerted throughout the match by Charlie Lee and the 11-2 proved just that.
“I’m happy to have managed to win 3-0 and the way the game went. I started strong and got a good lead, but in the first two games he managed to came back and I lost a bit of concentration. I’m still looking for that maximum game sharpness. It’s something I’m still trying to find. I played well and won the important points and finished the game very strong. That’s why I’m satisfied”, highlighted the 2nd seed of the tournament.
No surprises in the women´s draw
The day of competition began with the women’s draw. Alina Bushma (1st seed) made light work of the the Dutch Suzanne Peters, winning 3-0 in just 20 minutes (11-1, 11-5, 11-1), in a match she dominated from the beginning. In the end, the Ukrainian player was clearly satisfied with the performance: “It was the first game. It was a good start. I was looking for my best game, to reach my targets and get used to the court. It went very well and I’m looking forward to the next meetings.”
On the court next door Isabel McCullough and Celine Walser, were involved in the day’s match on the women’s side. The English player had to work hard to counter Celine Walser’s good squash, managing to close out the match after four tremendously contested games. McCullough knew how to take advantage of her superior physical condition and in the decisive moments of the sets was the stronger player. The score of 12-10, 5-11, 11-6, 12-10 reveal the even of strengths between the players.
“I’m really pleased to have won. It was a very complicated second round game. Celine is a great player and of much higher quality than her current ranking. I’m happy to be in tomorrow’s round”, confirmed the English player.
Kiera Marshall (2nd seed) and Ines Gomez played an excellent squash match, with the English player having to show her metal to defeat the always combative Spanish player. Marshall even ended up conceding a set to Gomez, a fair reward for the Spanish player who demonstrated enormous character in the face of her opponent’s greatest technical value. The final score of 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5) confirmed Kiera Marshall’s superior quality.
“I got through in four games. I’m not very satisfied with the way I played, but the important thing is that I found a way to win. I don’t think I managed to play my squash. It was somewhat of a mess, but in the end I managed to win, which is the most important thing. I want to try to win the tournament and improve throughout the competition”, highlighted the English player at the end.
Olivia Beasant won the match against Chloe Foster. Despite the Wales player’s excellent response in the first set, which was only decided by at 14-12, Beasant was almost always in control of the proceedings. After managing to close the first set, the English player step up her game and never gave her opponent another opportunity to close a set. The 3-0 result (14-12, 11-4, 11-5) reflects Beasant’s superiority on the day. “I think I did very well to win this match. Chloe and I always train together because we are teammates at the University of Birmingham. We know each other’s game very well. She was making good shots, but I was able to return them and then I made some “nicks” that helped me win”.
The home player Sofia Aveiro Pita debuted in the competition with a clear 3-0 victory (11-4, 11-5, 11-5), against Norwegian Chloe Kalvø. A positive start for the young player from Madeira, who is looking for her best classification in the competition. For now, she has guaranteed her place in the quarter-finals of the event. “Very pleased to have won 3-0. It was a good game and I had a lot of fun. I’ll just try to play well. Do a good performance and do my best. Reaching the semi-final would be an excellent result for me”, said the young Madeiran.
Wai Yeong confirmed the credentials she presented at the start of the competition. The Singaporean player outperformed Argentine Pilar Etchechoury by the maximum margin (3-0), always showing an advantage over her opponent, who in the first set still managed to balance the result, only losing by 13-11. From that moment on, Wai Yeong completely dominated the operations and ended up sealing the triumph in around 30 minutes. “I knew she would be a very strong opponent. I told myself to play my game and focus as much as possible on the match. I managed to win 3-0 and I’m very pleased with that. I’ve been playing well lately and I feel confident in my game. I’ll do my best and see how it goes,” said Wai Yeong.
Another of the Portuguese women in action today was Mariana Martins. The Portuguese player’s mission was not easy facing against the 2nd seed of the tournament, the Czech Anna Serme, and the final result ended up proving that. The 3-0 defeat (11-7, 11-2, 11-3) does not undermine the good performance of Mariana Martins, who couldn´t do nothing against the power of Anna Serme, who has already occupied 38th position in the PSA rankings. In the end, Anna Serme was satisfied with the victory. “I am very happy. It seems like ages ago that I won something. It has been very difficult to return after pregnancy and I am very pleased with this win. I’ll take it game by game and see how far I can go”, declared the Czech player.
In the last meeting of the day in the women’s category, Catarina Nunes faced and beat the Swiss Stella Kaufmann by 3-2 (11-4, 11-2, 3-11, 12-14, 12-10). It was a match with a lot of suffering for the Portuguese national champion, who even started the match well, winning the first two sets comfortably. However, Kaufmann responded and equalized the score at two, even reaching two match balls in the fifth and decisive game (10-8). Catarina Nunes managed to cancel both balls against with two winners and ended up closing the match 12-10.
“I wasn’t expecting any facilities. I had already played against her and she is a tough opponent. I walked right in and thought it was strange that she wasn’t responding. In the third she played as if she had nothing to lose and improved a lot. The quality of her ball improved and it gave me a lot of work. In the end it went well for my side and that’s what matters”, said the Portuguese national champion.
Day One Report : favourites through to round two
The first day of competition at the Madeira International saw the favorites confirm their credits and the presence in the second round of the competition. In both the men’s and women’s categories, the weight of the ranking was felt and there were no surprises.
In the most anticipated meeting of the day, Hamza Khan, world junior champion in 2023, beat the experienced Elliott Morris 3-1 (11-7, 13-11, 10-12, 11-6). The young Pakistani player showed a high level of squash against the Wales player and proved that he must be counted on for a presence in the decisive moments of the competition.
In the women's competition, in the most hotly contested match of the day, the Spanish Ines Gomez, an athlete who was part of the women’s team of Associação Desportiva Galomar (ADG) that won the National Club Championship and to whom the organization awarded a Wild Card for this event, debuted in Madeira in the best way, beating Tereza Široká, from Czechia, by the maximum margin (3-0).
Players from 18 different nationalities – showing the global dimension of the competition – began, today, on the courts of Ginásio Galo Active, to compete in the first round of the Madeira International Squash Tournament. A day that saw the favorites advance in the respective draws, with the weight of the ranking making itself felt. The exception turned out to be the clash between Pascal Gomez and New Zealander Anthony Lepper, with the Spanish player, who represents AD Galomar, and who currently occupies 367th position in the PSA rankings, taking the win over the current 154th player in the world in five sets (8-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 and 11-6), after a tough battle that lasted 79 minutes.
In the most anticipated match of the day on the Men’s draw, Hamza Khan, world junior champion in 2023, showed that he is in good shape, getting
the better of the always competitive Elliot Morris. The Wales player’s greater experience could be a decisive factor. However, Hamza Khan’s talent never left his opponent much room to breathe, with the Pakistani sealing the triumph 11-7, 13-11, 10-12, 11-6. At the end of the match, Hamza Khan was extremely satisfied with the victory.
“First of all I want to thank my coaches and my parents for always being there and supporting me. It was a tough game, but luckily I managed to win. I always try to do my best in every tournament and this will be no different. Let’s see”, said Hamza. Winning the world junior title in 2023 is an unavoidable milestone in the career of the still young player. “I was obviously very pleased. After 37 years, Pakistan once again won the title of world junior champion. It was an honor for me and an honor for my country”, assured the Pakistani player.
In the other matches of the day, the law of the strongest prevailed with the main favorites moving forward.
In the Women’s draw, Ines Gomez was the great figure of the day. The Spanish player eliminated Tereza Široká from the competition in consecutive games (3-0), with scores of 11-4, 13-11 and 11-9, crowning in the best way her absolute debut playing in Madeira. A very good win for the athlete who represented AD Galomar in the National Club Championship of Portugal, who, remember, does not have a PSA ranking and participates in the tournament through a Wild Card awarded by the event organization.
At the end of the match Ines Gomez did not hide her satisfaction. “I didn’t know how the game would go because I didn’t know my opponent. I adapted well to the court and felt comfortable. I felt that she was a little tired and I tried to set a strong pace. The games were close, but I felt good”, began by mentioning the Spanish player. Looking ahead to the next meeting, Ines Gomez seemed calm.
“I will try to do then best I can. Play my game and give everything I have. I don’t usually play this type of tournament, so for me it’s an excellent opportunity and whatever happens will be wonderful. Tomorrow I have a complicated game and now it’s time to rest and fight tomorrow”, assured the young Spaniard.
In the ladies’ remaining matches, there was no room for any surprises with the favorites sealing comfortable triumphs against their respective opponents.
