Manitoba PSA Quarters Report; Salazars, Gordon, Koukal Through
by Howard Harding
16 March 2013 - All four seeds safely made it through to the semi-finals of the Qualico Developments Canada Ltd Manitoba Open in Canada - but US champion Christopher Gordon, the No3 seed, was taken the full distance before overcoming local hope Andrew Schnell in the quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event in its tenth successive year at Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club in Winnipeg.
"What a great match and what fabulous squash," said tournament promoter Gene Turk. "Chris came out flying and dominated the game. Andrew tried everything to get the ball by Chris but with no avail. Chris went up 2/0 and in full command.
"In the third game, Andrew changed his tactics and started to get to the T and open his opportunities to execute some winning rallies. He was able to take the next two games and was looking quite strong.
"Andrew started fast in the fifth and got up three points and it looked like he might run with it. Chris showed his grit and fought back to go up 5-4. Chris managed to stay 2-3 points ahead the rest of the game to win."
The 11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8 victory in 75 minutes takes the New York-born world No58 through to face Cesar Salazar, the top seed from Mexico who beat Canadian Dane Sharp 11-9, 11-5, 12-10.
Cesar's twin brother Arturo Salazar will contest the other semi after seeing off France's Yann Perrin 11-4, 11-4, 11-6.
Arturo will face second-seeded Czech Jan Koukal who had to recover from a game down to defeat Australian Scott Arnold 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 in 55 minutes.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Qualico Developments Canada Ltd Manitoba Open, Winnipeg, Canada
Quarter-finals:
[2] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Scott Arnold (AUS) 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 (55m)
[4] Arturo Salazar (MEX) bt Yann Perrin (FRA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-6 (40m)
[3] Christopher Gordon (USA) bt Andrew Schnell (CAN) 11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8 (75m)
[1] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Dane Sharp (CAN) 11-9, 11-5, 12-10 (45m)
Semi-final line-up:
[2] Jan Koukal (CZE) v [4] Arturo Salazar (MEX)
[1] Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [3] Christopher Gordon (USA)
Back To Main
