Opening Ceremony
CHENNAI – The Individual events in the 8th World University Squash Championship got underway on the opening day, Monday 1 September, and things went well for top seeds Mazen Sabri of Egypt and Olga Ertlova (Czech). Both progressed easily in the men’s and women’s sections respectively and moved in to the last eight.
Mazen had a first round bye but clearly was yearning for action from the way he set aside Ho Wai Yeung of Hong Kong in just 18 minutes. Olga stayed a little longer for her win over Sammer Anjun. The Czech was humble in her assessment that it was a “tough match, a bit shaky” as she said because “I am still getting used to the court.”
India had a lot of disappointment with early losses through Hiteswar Singh, Maninder Singh Sandhu and Sachika Ingale. Late in the evening India’s best bet Ravi Dixit fell and it was left to Aparajitha Balamurukan, the local girl, to bring relief with a good win over seeded Teh Min Jie of Malaysia to earn a quarterfinal berth.
Earlier, colour and brevity marked the opening ceremony. After the representatives of the 11 teams marched in came the brief but vibrant dance show of students of Sathyabama University. It was a blend of the traditional with the modern as the audience enjoyed every moment. Preceding the cultural complement was the official protocol, the declaration of the games being open by Mr K.S. Sripathi, President of the Squash Rackets Federation of India. He thanked FISU for bringing the competition to India. “It was a proud moment for India”, he said referring to the country’s debut and thought it was big occasion for ISA which had hosted many world-level events earlier.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bharat Joshi, British Deputy High Commissioner, said he was looking forward to some great squash over the week while Mr V.K. Jeyakodi, Member Secretary, SDAT said “The state government has been investing high to improve infrastructural facilities in keeping the good development in sports.” Ms Alison Odell, FISU 1st Assessor said she was impressed with the organizational abilities of the host and wished well all the teams.
The teams in the fray are Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Pakistan, Slovenia, South Africa, UK and North Ireland besides host India.
Results Day 1
Men: pre-quarterfinals: Mazen Sabri (Egypt) bt Ho Wai Yeung (Hkg) 11-4, 11-5, 11-5; Sanjay Singh (Mas) bt Ruan Oliver (Rsa) 11-9, 11-5, 11-6; Joel Makin (Gbr) bt Nell Van Der Merwe (Rsa) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7; Andrew Martin (Rsa) bt Ravi Dixit (Ind) 11-9, 11-4, 6-11, 4-11, 11-8; Eddie Charlton (Gbr) bt Ullah Rizwn Gul (Pak) 11-1, 11-6, 11-4; (R 1): Ho Waub Yeung bt Theo Parent (Fra) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6; Ruan Oliver bt Babrak Khan (Pak) 11-9, 11-2, 6-11, 11-8; Cameron James Seth (Can) bt Marc Vaez Olivera (Fra) 12-10, 11-8, 11-9; Ullah Rizwan Gul (Pak) bt Hiteshwar Singh Riar (Ind) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6; Martin Moik (Sloven) bt Darren Chn Ti Lunn (Mas) 11-3, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 13-11; Andrew Martin (Rsa) bt Antoine Camille Petrucci (Fra) 11-8, 11-8, 11-5; James Van Staveren (Can) bt Maninder Singh Sandhu (Ind) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5.
Women: pre-quarterfinal: Olga Ertlova (Czech) bt Sammer Anjum (Pak )11-1, 11-5, 11-8; Chloe Mesic (Fra) bt Ho Ka Po (Hkg) 10-12, 11-5, 12-10. 11-3; Alexandr Fuller (Rsa) bt Nada Elkalaawy (Gbr) 11-8, 11-5, 3-11, 11-13, 11-6; Zulhijjh Binti Azan (Mas) bt Sachika Ingale (Ind) 11-3, 7-11, 12-10, 11-3; Cheyna Tucker (Rsa) bt Gabrielle de Lavison (Fra) 11-4, 11-1, 11-7.
Click here for all results.
NEWS BULLETIN
(Source: WUC Squash Media)