Keo Conquers Koukal In Crocodile Cup Shock
by Howard Harding
30 August 2012 - Unseeded Malaysian Elvinn Keo pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career when he upset No2 seed Jan Koukal in today's opening round of the Crocodile Challenge Cup, the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event in its eighth year at Hong Kong Squash Centre in Hong Kong China.
Just four days after triumphing at the Henderson Open in New Zealand, Czech number one Koukal was clearly not at his best after his 6,000 mile flight from Auckland.
The world No50 took a 2/1 lead, but Keo - ranked more than 60 places lower - kept up the pressure on his tired opponent before closing out the match 7-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9.
Keo, 24, from Kuala Lumpur, now faces Egyptian Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry, an 18-year-old from Cairo who despatched Indian qualifier Ramit Tandon 12-10, 11-7, 11-4.
A trio of local players dominate the top half of the draw, led by top seed Max Lee. The world No30 from Hong Kong saw off Malaysian left-hander Kam Hing Choong 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 - and will now face fellow countryman Dick Lau, an 8-11, 11-4, 13-11, 11-3 winner over Indian qualifier Ravi Dixit.
Hong Kong's Leo Au also overcame Indian opposition when he defeated qualifier Mahesh Mangaonkar 11-4, 11-6, 1-11, 11-13, 11-4.
Au, the Hong Kong number two, next meets Campbell Grayson, the third seed from New Zealand who ousted Canadian Fred Reid 11-7, 11-6, 11-2.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 15 Crocodile Challenge Cup, Hong Kong China
1st round:
[1] Max Lee (HKG) bt Kam Hing Choong (MAS) 11-5, 11-7, 11-6
Dick Lau (HKG) bt [Q] Ravi Dixit (IND) 8-11, 11-4, 13-11, 11-3
Leo Au (HKG) bt [Q] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 11-4, 11-6, 1-11, 11-13, 11-4
[3] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt Fred Reid (CAN) 11-7, 11-6, 11-2
[4] Matthew Karwalski (AUS) bt [Q] James Huang (TPE) 11-5, 11-6, 11-3
Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) bt Hon Fung Wong (HKG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-9
Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry (EGY) bt [Q] Ramit Tandon (IND) 12-10, 11-7, 11-4
Elvinn Keo (MAS) bt [2] Jan Koukal (CZE) 7-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9
Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Max Lee (HKG) v Dick Lau (HKG)
[3] Campbell Grayson (NZL) v Leo Au (HKG)
[4] Matthew Karwalski (AUS) v Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND)
Elvinn Keo (MAS) v Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry (EGY)
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