Kiwis Dominate Manawatu Quarters
from Squash365
July 28, 2012 - Three Kiwis and an Australian have made it through to this afternoon’s semi-finals at the Fitzherbert Rowe Manawatu International Squash Classic. Top seeds Mike Corren (Australia) and Kashif Shuja (Palmerston North) had comfortable wins in their quarter finals this morning.
Corren defeated local Palmerston North player Joseph Watts in three straight sets. Watts fought hard in front of a home crowd but was out classed by the World number 77. Shuja also cruised through to the semi-finals defeating Christchurch qualifier Andrew Ellis who caused an upset last night defeating Japanese visitor Ben Takamizawa Harris. Shuja was pushed 13-11 in the first but managed to dominate the next two and win in straight sets.
The closest quarter final was Wellington’s Evan Williams against Pakistani player Naseem Khan. In an often tense and fiery encounter, Williams went one up but Khan fought back to level one all. Williams then came back to win the next two sets to take the match 3-1 in 44 minutes.
The fourth quarter final saw former New Zealand junior number one, Paul Coll dispatch Australian Tim Cowell in three easy sets in under 25 minutes.
In the Women’s Open, World number 12 Joelle King, put on a ruthless performance in her first round against Paris Dalrymple-Mortleman She allowed her opponent only three points in the match in a powerful display. Second seed and World number 46 Kylie Lindsay was also untroubled in her first round match against Wellingtons Jennifer Conayne. King will now play Palmerston North and Central number one Danielle Fourie in this afternoon’s semi-finals. Lindsay will have fellow Waikato player Emma Millar.
Manawatu International Squash Classic , Quarter-Finals:
Mike Corren (1) beat Joseph Watts 11-8, 11-8, 11-5. 26 mins
Kashif Shuja (2) beat Andrew Ellis 13-11, 11-1, 11-9. 22 mins
Evan Williams (3) beat Naseem Khan 11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4. 44 mins
Paul Coll beat Tim Cowell 11-2, 11-4, 11-6. 24 mins
Semi Finals:
Mike Corren v Evan Williams. 5.00pm
Kashif Shuja v Paul Coll. 6.00pm
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