Guyana’s Khalil and Gomes to battle for gold at South American Squash Championships

Guyana’s Ashley Khalil and Kirsten Gomes are set to battle for Women’s Doubles gold at the South American Senior Squash Championships in Brazil after a hard-fought semi-final victory on Thursday morning. 

The Guyanese duo demonstrated resilience to overcome Ecuador’s Darlyn Sandoval and Tabita Gaitan in a tense encounter, ultimately triumphing 9-11, 11-9, 11-8.

Their victory ensures they will leave with at least a silver medal.

They are scheduled to face the Paraguayan pair Ana Maria Pinto and Giselle Delgado in the championship match later on Thursday evening.

However,  in the Men’s Doubles, Jason-Ray Khalil and Samuel Ince-Carvalhal bowed out at the quarter-final stage.

The pair were defeated 11-4, 11-8 by Chile’s Agustín Carranza and Matias Lacroix.

There was further disappointment in the Mixed Doubles, where Michael Alphonso Jr. and Gabrielle Fraser’s campaign also ended in the quarter-finals, succumbing 11-4, 11-1 to Brazilian home hopes Murilo Pentea and Bruna Marchesi.

In the singles competitions, Gomes began brightly in the Women’s draw, dispatching Paraguay’s Nicole Krauch 11-3, 11-6, 11-7.

However, her progress was halted in the round of 16 by Brazil’s Juliana Pereira, who secured an 11-4, 11-4, 12-10 win.

Ashley Khalil also tasted initial success, overcoming Tabita Gaitan of Guatemala in a see-saw battle 11-7, 8-11, 13-11, 15-13.

Her singles journey concluded in the round of 32, where she was beaten 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 by Argentina’s Antonella Falcione.

The Men’s Singles saw early exits for the Guyanese contingent. Michael Alphonso Jr. was defeated 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 by Damian Casarino of Paraguay in the round-of-32.

In the same round, Jason-Ray Khalil fell to Argentine Francisco Alfonso, despite taking the first game, with the final scoreline reading 11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 5-11.

RESULTS: https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/tournament/28434f62-22c8-4efb-a595-502eb837781f/Matches