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Salazar Over Razik In  PSA Cartagena Open
by Howard Harding

7 September 2012 - Mexico's Salazar twins both claimed places in the quarter-finals of the Grupo Maximo Cartagena Open after unseeded Arturo Salazar pulled off a major shock by upsetting third-seeded Canadian Shahier Razik in the opening round of the inaugural PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event at Cumplejo de Raquetas in the coastal city of Cartagena in Colombia.

It was the pair's fifth Tour meeting since January 2008 - and 24-year-old Salazar, ranked 66 in the world, celebrated his first ever win over Razik by beating the world No27 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8 in 48 minutes.

Whilst the lower-ranked of the pair early in their careers, Cesar Salazar recently overtook his twin brother Arturo in the PSA world rankings - and arrived in Cartagena as the event's fourth seed. The San Luis Potosi squash star faced qualifier Erik Tepos Valtierra - but dismissed his fellow countryman 11-9, 11-6, 11-4, also in 48 minutes.

Arturo goes on to meet another Canadian Dane Sharp. The 27-year-old from Toronto survived a tight game against Gonzalo Miranda, eventually beating the qualifier from Argentina 12-10, 12-10, 11-9 in 55 minutes.

"It was a closely contested match from beginning to end - which could have gone either way," said tournament promoter Maxim P Weithers. "Miranda actually had game balls in both the first and second games, but was unable to convert. Sharp seemed to be able to keep his composure a lot better in the critical points and found the mental edge in the latter part of each game."

Cesar takes on North American hope Christopher Gordon, the US number two who beat local player Omar Garcia 11-3, 11-6, 11-4.

"What an experience for local wildcard Omar from Cartagena to play with the USA top player Chris Gordon," added Weithers. "The crowd favourite had his opportunities and I am sure was a learning experience for him."

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 15 Grupo Maximo Cartagena Open, Cartagena, Colombia

1st round:
[1] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt Eric Galvez (MEX) 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 (44m)
[Q] Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt David Letourneau (CAN) 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (34m)
Dane Sharp (CAN) bt [Q] Gonzalo Miranda (ARG) 12-10, 12-10, 11-9 (55m)
Arturo Salazar (MEX) bt [3] Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8 (48m)
[4] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [Q] Erik Tepos Valtierra (MEX) 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 (48m)
Christopher Gordon (USA) bt Omar Garcia (COL) 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 (18m)
Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY) bt [Q] Johan Bouquet (FRA) 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (43m)
[2] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Peter Creed (WAL) 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 (26m)

Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v [Q] Alfredo Avila (MEX)
Arturo Salazar (MEX) v Dane Sharp (CAN)
[4] Cesar Salazar (MEX) v Christopher Gordon (USA)
[2] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY)