Alexander Arjoon (left) and Nicolette Fernandes
The 2017 Digicel Senior National Squash Championships continued on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club Courts with quarter-final matches in the Men’s and Women’s Open, first round Men’s Plate matches and round-robin matches in the Men’s Veterans categories.
Defending champion Alex Arjoon displayed a high level of squash when he defeated Nicolette Fernandes in straight games 11-5, 11-9, 11-1 in the Men’s competition, while Kristian Jeffrey proved too good for Shomari Wiltshire as he defeated him 11-7, 11-4, 11-6. Number two seed Richard Chin showed that he will be no easy pushover in the semi-finals with his 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 win against Jean Claude Jeffrey.
With the exception of one of the top Men’s seeds, all other seeded players have reached the semi-finals of the two main draws. Former national champion Nyron Joseph was the player who created a mini upset as Jason Ray Khalil was the higher seeded of the two players in their quarter-final match.
This match produced long rallies and breathtaking retrieves as both players displayed their amazing talents. Jason Ray won the first game 11-9 and then won the second game 11-7.
With Jason Ray leading 10-7 and match ball in the third it seemed all over for Nyron, but he clawed his way back to 10-all and finally won the third game 13-11. Nyron then won the fourth game 11-7 and secured a hard-fought victory with his 11-6 win in the fifth game.
In the Women’s Open, all four of the top seeds progressed easily into the semi-finals. Top seed Nicolette Fernandes defeated Makeda Harding 11-1, 11-5, 11-1, while defending champion Ashley Khalil beat Sarah Lewis 11-3, 11-3, 11-2. Former national champion Mary Fung-A-Fat was too good for Rebecca Low winning 11-4, 11-0, 11-4, while Taylor Fernandes defeated Victoria Arjoon 11-6, 13-11, 11-5.
In the Men’s Plate, Nicholas Narain had to come from two sets down to defeat Regan Pollard 9-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4, while Ben Mekdeci dropped a game before defeating Peter Michael De Groot 11-5, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4.
In the Men’s Veterans (35-49), Allan Downes defeated Robin Low 11-4, 12-10, 11-4 and Khalil Alli beat Medhi Ramdhani 11-5, 11-2, 11-8. In the Men’s Veterans (Over-50), Joe Mekdeci beat David Fernandes 8-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-3.
Play will continue at 18:00h today (Friday, July 21) with semi-final matches in the Men’s and Women’s Open, Men’s Plate second round matches and round-robin play in the Men’s Veterans categories. The final matches in all of the categories will start Saturday (July 22) at 16:30h.
