Chifunda Chases Baltimore Glory
Qualifying finals:
Luke Margan (AUS) bt Andre Holderegger (SUI) 11-9, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0)
Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) bt Amr Ramzy Swelim (EGY) 7-11, 11-10 (2-0), 11-9, 5-11, 11-9
Chris Ryder (ENG) bt Yann Perrin (FRA) 11-8, 11-3, 11-4
David Phillips (CAN) bt Jose Angel Becerril (MEX) 11-7, 11-9, 11-8
Zambia’s Patrick Chifunda caused the biggest upset for the second day running – and was also involved in the longest match of the session – when he claimed a place in the main draw of the Baltimore Squash Cup in Baltimore, USA.
There was a multinational look to the final day of qualification matches. Eight different nationalities were represented and the four players who made it through to the main draw come from four different continents!
Chifunda, formerly Baltimore-based, scored a memorable 7-11, 11-10 (2-0), 11-9, 5-11, 11-9 victory over Egypt’s Amr Ramzy Swelim in 70 minutes. The Zambian will now face England's top seed Joey Barrington in the main draw.
After a closely-fought first game, England’s Chris Ryder – the recently-crowned World University Champion - completed a relatively comfortable 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 victory over Frenchman Yann Perrin.
Canadian David Phillips showed excellent hold and deception to overcome the retrieving skills of Mexico's Jose Angel Becerril 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 - before Australia’s representation was secured with Luke Margan netting an 11-9, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0) victory over Switzerland's Andre Holderegger.
Updated 1st round draw:
[1] Joey Barrington (ENG) v [Q] Patrick Chifunda (ZAM)
[8] Ian Power (CAN) v [Q] Luke Margan (AUS)
[4] Raj Nanda (AUS) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[5] Nicholas Kyme (BER) v Wade Johnstone (AUS)
[7] Paul Davis (AUS) v [Q] David Phillips (CAN)
[3] Laurent Elriani (FRA) v Rob Sutherland (WAL)
[6] Julien Balbo (FRA) v [Q] Chris Ryder (ENG)
[2] Ben Garner (ENG) v Lefika Ragontse (BOT)