Final : It’s Fallows !
[1] Richie Fallows (Eng) 3-0 [2] Edmon Lopez (Esp) 11-6, 11-8, 11-3 (43m)
A totally dominant display saw Richie Fallows retain his title in three straight games.
He controlled the match really from the start and despite his opponents’ best efforts he triumphed to take home the spoils.
Edmon played his part however. After a few heroic weeks which saw him win an event, then be part of a great Spanish effort at the Europeans and then to finally come through some tough matches this week, this was one game too many.
He battled hard but could not come out on top of many of the close contested rallies. He will come again though and will surely climb the rankings. Well done Edmon, a great few weeks for you.
Richie moves forward as two time champion here in Wales to pursue bigger titles and we wish him and Edmon all the best over the next year.
Another great event in here Cardiff
Semis : Top seeds through to final
Top seeds Richie Fallows and Edmon Lopez will contest the third Rhiwbina Welsh Open final after contrasting wins in Cardiff.
England’s Fallows despatched Abhay Singh in straight games while Spaniard Lopez took twice as long to get past Benjamin Aubert in four games.
Richard Murphy Reports
[1] Richie Fallows (ENG) 3-0 [7] Abhay Singh (IND)
One match too far for Abhay as he came up against Richie who just loves the courts at Rhiwbina. He controlled the match with penetrating lengths and worked Abhay around the court at will.
Abhay battled hard and will surely go on to a successful career given his young age at this time. A great week though for the young Indian. Richie marches forward and it will take a good performance to dethrone with defending champion. He will relish tomorrow’s battle in the capital city of Wales.
[2] Edmon Lopez (ESP) 3-1 [4] Benjamin Aubert (FRA)
The second semi-final saw an absolutely enthralling encounter which had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Cut and thrust, blow for blow with Edmon coming out on top with his superb steady then attacking widths and lengths. His relentless style put Benjamin under pressure throughout the match.
That said Ben was full of attack himself and the number of times he flicked the ball crosscourt wrong footing his opponent was great to witness. Huge rallies ensued and such a well-played sporting affair it was. Again a great week for the young Frenchman and he will come again. Edmon moves on to face the top seed Fallows in what is sure to be a great final.
Quarters : Home hopes bow out as semis are decided
Home interest was ended in the quarter-finals as top seeds Richie Fallows and Edmon Lopez advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face Abhay Singh and Benjamin Aubert.
Richard Murphy Reports
[1] Richie Fallows (ENG) 3-0 Yuri Farneti (ITA)
It was a case of young experienced professional against young inexperienced professional as Richie continued his charge to retain his Rhiwbina Welsh Open title. Yuri had a great run up to this point and was in all the rallies but Riches class told each time and ran out a convincing winner to progress through to the semi-finals. Can anyone stop him ??
[7] Abhay Singh (IND) 3-0 [3] Peter Creed (WAL)
The only shock of the night saw Abhay be victorious in this match. A very under the weather Peter could not maintain his usual massive high standards of tough rallies and amazing retrieving and Abhay was too steady in his length and shot play. The wait sadly goes on for Peter to win his home town event but Abhay will be buoyed by his place in the semi-final where he will need to perform to his best to take on a dominant Fallows.
[4] Benjamin Aubert (FRA) 3-1 [WC] Owain Taylor (WAL)
The young Welshman’s great run came to end tonight but not before he put in a great performance to fall just short against a very talented opponent. Benjamin was so fast and accurate around the court and this ultimately told in the end. Owain has had 2 very tough encounters to get to the quarter finals and congratulations to him on his event. Benjamin moves forward to contest a semi-final place.
[2] Edmon Lopez (ESP) 3-1 [6] Emyr Evans (WAL)
Last match of the night again saw young Welshman Emyr battling a very tough and determined opponent. It was nip and tuck for the first 2 games but Edmon has an unrelenting style and this takes him on to meet Aubert in the next round.
Fantastic matches at Rhiwbina with a good crowd, very appreciative of some great squash. Can’t wait for tomorrow night !!
Round Two : Welsh trio through to quarters
A trio of home players made it through to the quarters in Cardiff as Peter Creed beat fellow Welshman Elliott Morris Devred, Owain Taylor beat fifth seeded Finn Miko Aijanen in a five game marathon, and Emyr Evans overcame Harry Falconer in straight games.
Round One : Double home success
Round One of the third edition of the Rhiwbina Welsh Open saw a number of seeding upsets including two by home players. Owain Taylor took 69 minutes toi upset Nick Wall in four games and wildcard Elliot Morris Devred beat Syed Ali Bukhari, also in four games.
They join Peter Creed and Emyr Evans in round two, where Taylor takes on Finland’s fifth seed Miko Aijanen and Morris meets third seed Creed.
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