Dylan Roberts (Eng) 3-1 Perry Malik (Eng) 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4 (45m)
This was obviously a surprise. Dylan, only 18 years old, seeded 10 for the qualifying against Perry, 24, seeded 4, with Perry expected to take the win.
But from the start, Perry seemed slow to get to the front, was struggling to read his young opponent’s short game, finding himself stuck in the middle, and not going to the ball. I guess Dylan had nothing to lose, and it has to be said that all his shots seem to get in like a knife in butter!
Good effort from the Malik number 2 (by age ranking) in the third, reducing the game deficit, 11/8 in 12m, being more assertive than in the first two games, trying to win the points instead of not losing them.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t contain the young challenger in the last game, 7m, 11/4.
It has to be said also that if Perry had won, it would have been a first for the Malik Team, having 4 boys in the main draw. Pressure could have also played its part…
Dylan : “I’m really happy to get over the line this evening, I always knew it was going to be a tough game. I had a clear gameplan and I stuck to it well.
“I had my dad in corner today, his advise was to hit straight lines, keep him off the middle of the court.
“I wasn’t expecting to get through to the main draw, I’m really excited for tomorrow’s match against Curtis.”
