Wednesday Match Summary
- [2] Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) bt. Dillon Huang (USA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 (33m)
- [2] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt. Marta Dominguez (ESP) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-6 (22m)
- [5] Marie Stephan (FRA) bt. Toby Tse (HKG) 3-1: 5-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 (28m)
- [6] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) bt. Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-1: 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-4 (42m)
- [8] Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK) bt. Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) 3-2: 11-5, 5-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6 (63m)
- Sin Yuk Chan (HKG) bt. [8] Alicia Mead (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-1 (31m)
- [4] Veer Chotrani (IND) bt. Viktor Byrtus (CZE) 3-1: 11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7 (40m)
- [3] Lucy Beecroft (ENG) bt. Nga Ching Cheng (HKG) 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 (35m)
- [4] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt. Alina Bushma (UKR) 3-1: 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7 (49m)
- Ronald Palomino (COL) bt. [3] Leandro Romiglio (ARG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-2, 11-2 (26m)
- [5] Noor Zaman (PAK) bt. Jeremias Azaña (ARG) 3-1: 11-6, 12-14, 12-10, 11-7 (57m)
- [6] Saran Nghiem (ENG) bt. Lauren Baltayan (FRA) 3-2: 12-14, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6 (63m)
- [7] Nardine Garas (EGY) bt. Helen Tang (HKG) 3-1: 11-3, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8 (29m)
- [7] Matias Knudsen (COL) bt. Finnlay Withington (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-1, 11-5 (22m)
- Sam Todd (ENG) bt. [1] Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5 (52m)
- [1] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt. Xin Ying Yee (MAS) 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 (23m)
Court 2 – 3:00 Sabrina Sobhy (USA, 176) V Xin Ying Yee (MAS; 61)
Round 2 begins with our top seeds on court. Sabrina Sobhy is coming off injury and entered with a protected rank of 20 while her current PSA rank is 176. Yee is #61. They have not faced off in PSA competition before.
As is often the case with new opponents the opening rallies are long as they get a feel for the other’s strengths and weaknesses. The opening points go back and for with Yee taking a slight lead 4-3. Both have great power and touch and the rallies shift quickly from strong side wall drives to feathery drop shots. Both payers have shots go out of court. Sobhy gains a lead 7-5. Sobhy appears to be gaining control the match. Game 1 goes 11-6.
Yee looked to adjust in game 2 but Sobhy has found an approach she likes and she never really gives Yee an opening taking game two 11-2.
Yee comes out strong in game 3 claiming court space in front of the tee and putting away two drives to get up 2-0, but Sobhy’s experience means she adjusts quickly bringing us back to 2-2. This writer grabs his first Sleeman of the night and we are 3-2 Sobhy. Yee is trying to send it deep and Sobhy is cutting everything off. She catches tin and it’s 5-3 Sobhy. The crowd is filling in quickly taking in great squash form our top seed on both courts. Sabrina opens things up getting to 7-3. While I don’t have the exact statistic, first to 7 wins a massive percentage of the time. 9-4 and a perfect cross-court boast on the serve gets us to what could be the final point. A not let and the game is over. Sobhy moves on.
Court 3 – 3:00 Yahya Elnawasany (EGY; 39) V Sam Todd (ENG; 70)
These two players have faced once before on the PSA World Tour with their previous match going in favour of Todd. Even before that, they played an epic 5 game match in US Junior open which went to Elnawasany.
After the first game with some explosive fast paced rallies, both players were neck and neck until Todd squeezed out the last couple points winning 11-8.
Todd won game 2 by maintaining his consistency. Elnawasany forced Todd to bring his A game however, almost all his best attacks kept getting retrieved. Todd’s impressive defensive game allowed him to close it out 11-8.
Yaya fought back in game 3 to win 11-8 making the score 2-1. After some exhausting rallies in the opening few points, Todd fell short with some unforced errors and devastating no lets which prevented him from closing out the match in 3 games.
The fourth game brought the nerves out of both players, some screams and arguing with the ref caused a start, stop style of play. Todd whipped in some attacking boasts which put some work into the legs of Elnawasany preventing him from forcing a 5th game. Todd closed out the fourth 11-5 winning 3 games to 1.
Court 2 – 3:45 Finnlay Withington (ENG; 96) V Matias Knudsen (COL; 56)
Matias is currently ranked 61 in the world and Finnlay is currently ranked 95 in the world. Withington and Knudsen displayed very entertaining squash from the first point as they play with flashy styles. Knudsen jumped out 7-0 lead in the first game to establish his sharp racket skills. Regardless of many double bounce appeals from both players, Knudsen won the first game 11-4.
The second game only accelerated the radical shot making and circus style rallies. In this one, Knudsen dominated the errors to winner’s ratio winning 11-1. This wasn’t helped by Withington’s abundance of tins.
The third game had some unbelievable retrievals and defensive play bringing out the ooh’s and aah’s from the crowd. Withington got sucked into the trick shot style whilst entertaining ended up in his demise. With another consecutive run of points, Knudsen won the match in straight sets winning 3 games to 0. A very convincing win for Knudsen in his first outing of the tournament.
Court 3 3:45 Helen Tang (HGK) V Nardine Garas (EGY)
Garas Halts Tang’s Nash Cup Debut in Four Games
Seventh seed Nardine Garas ended Helen Tang’s debut run at the Nash Cup with a composed 3–1 victory, prevailing 11–3, 11–6, 9–11, 11–8.
Game 1 – Garas set the tone immediately, racing to a 7–1 lead with a string of winners on both walls and mixing length and drops with precision. Tang managed a pair of sharp return winners, but Garas remained in full control, closing the opener comfortably 11–3.
Game 2 – The second game featured some of the longest rallies of the night, including a sequence where Tang dove multiple times to stay in the point. But Garas’s relentless length and crisp drops built her a 6–0 advantage. Tang clawed back to 5–10 with some clever drops of her own, yet Garas stayed steady to secure it 11–6 and move two games clear.
Game 3 – Tang, refusing to go quietly, produced her best squash of the match. Taking the ball earlier and hitting lower, she forced Garas into rare mistakes. From 5–7 down, Tang surged with a mix of nicks and boasts, edging ahead 9–8. Garas tinned under pressure, and Tang capitalized with a no-let decision to seal the game 11–9, sparking the crowd.
Game 4 – Momentum briefly carried into the fourth, as Tang matched Garas shot-for-shot through 5–5. But the seeded Egyptian tightened her game, exploiting mid-court exchanges and punishing errors from Tang to reach 10–6. Tang saved two game balls with bold attacking play, but Garas closed it 11–8 on a forehand drop to book her spot in the next round.
Summary
Tang impressed in her first Nash Cup appearance, showing speed, grit, and flashes of brilliance — particularly in the third-game comeback. But Garas’s higher-seed experience shone through: her disciplined length, varied shot-making, and ability to control the middle ultimately proved decisive.
Final score: Garas d. Tang 11–3, 11–6, 9–11, 11–8 (3–1).
Regards, Adam
Court 2 4:30 Saran Nghiem (ENG) V Lauren Baltayan (FRA)
Court 3 4:30 Noor Zaman (PAK) V Jeremias Azana (ARG)
The match began with Azana trying to find his rhythm, but it was Zaman who came out firing. With sharp length, precise width, and a couple of cheeky boasts, the Pakistani jumped out to a commanding 7–1 lead. After trading points, Zaman hit a wicked front-court trickle boast to go up 9–4, clearly eyeing the finish line. Two quick points from Azana weren’t enough to shift momentum, and a back-court boast followed by a drop shot sealed Game 1 for Zaman, 11–6 in just 8 minutes.
Azana came into Game 2 with renewed focus, knowing he needed to disrupt Zaman’s rhythm. He mixed in a few winners and a couple of tins to reach 4–4. The court coverage from both players was impressive, with long rallies and relentless retrievals. At 7–7, this match reporter—who prefers tidy three-game affairs—started wondering if fitness would decide the outcome. Azana needed to push Zaman to the back wall or risk being punished by his shot-making. At 10–10, Zaman jumped on a mid-court ball and smashed a forehand down the wall. But Azana held firm, and at 13–12, Zaman hit tin to hand the Argentine the game, 14–12 in 14 minutes.
Game 3 picked up right where the second left off—a battle for control of the front court. Azana jumped out to a 5–2 lead, growing in confidence. A tin from Zaman made it 6–2, and now it was the Pakistani trying to shift gears. A few no-let calls frustrated Azana, and Zaman clawed back to 5–6. Azana responded with a couple of well-earned points to go up 8–5. After a long rally, Azana pushed Zaman deep and cut off the ball for a drop winner to reach 9–6. But Zaman wasn’t done—he fought back to 8–9. Then came a strange “throw” off the frame from Zaman, giving Azana game ball. Zaman leveled at 10–10, then hit a brilliant drop to earn game point. After two let calls, Zaman completed the comeback, winning the last four points to take the game 12–10 in 17 minutes and go up 2–1.
The fourth game opened with a left-wall battle—drop, drop, drive, lob, drop—ending with an unreturnable drop from Azana. The players traded points in grueling rallies to reach 4–4. Then came a tin, a stroke, and an indescribable backhand nick volley roll-out from Zaman, who surged ahead 7–4. Azana responded with a run of points to level at 7–7, drawing on the success of Game 2. But Zaman was up for the challenge, cutting off balls and pushing the pace. He reached match ball at 10–7, and after one final rally, hit a winner to take the game 11–7 and the match 3–1 in 57 minutes.
The crowd appreciated the effort and skill from both players in what was a high-quality, entertaining match.
Court 2 5:15 Ronald Palomino (COL) V Leandro Romiglio (ARG)
Court 3 5:15 Alina Bushma (UKR) V Torrie Malik (ENG)
Fourth seed Torrie Malik (ENG) came into this match looking to assert her dominance—and she did just that early, jumping out to a 3–0 lead. Bushma (UKR), trying to find her footing against the higher-ranked opponent, responded well to close the gap to 2–3. But Malik’s all-court game—mixing length, lobs, and drops—helped her regain control and extend her lead to 6–2. Bushma battled back, fighting through contact-heavy rallies to level the score at 9–9. Malik, however, picked up the pace and edged out the opener 12–10.
Game 2 began with Bushma mixing unforced errors with moments of brilliance, jumping out to a 7–3 lead as she looked to level the match. Sensing the urgency, Malik dug in, using crisp drives and front-court winners to claw back to 6–8. A string of three consecutive no-let calls against Bushma shifted momentum, and a stroke call gave Malik game point at 10–8. She closed it out with a winning drive, taking the game 11–8 and a 2–0 lead in the match—winning the last five points in a row.
The third game saw both players trading quality shots early. At 2–2, Malik began to assert herself again, pulling ahead 5–2. Bushma, refusing to go quietly, fought back to 6–8 and then leveled the game at 8–8 with two strong points. At 9–9, Malik hit tin, giving Bushma a crucial game ball. She capitalized with a sharp drop to take the game 11–9 and stay alive in the match, now trailing 1–2.
The fourth game was physical from the start, with multiple lets, a no-let, and a stroke in the opening rallies. At 5–4, Malik hit a clean drive, followed by a Bushma tin to stretch the lead to 7–4. A no-let call at 9–5 gave Malik match ball. Bushma managed to save a couple of points, but Malik sealed the deal with another strong drive to win the game 11–7 and the match 3–1.
Malik advances to the quarterfinals, showing poise and resilience in a physical, hard-fought match.
Court 2 6:30 Lucy Beecroft (ENG) V Nga Ching Cheng (HKG)
Court 3 6:30 Veer Chotrani (IND) V Viktor Byrtus (CZE)
Match Report – From Yer Local Pirate
Viktor “The Czech Cannonball” Byrtus vs. Veer “The Indian Vortex” Chotrani
Court 3 – The Squash Seas Be Rough Today
Arrr, the fourth-seeded Chotrani set sail against the crafty Czech Byrtus, and from the first rally, ye could tell this weren’t gonna be no calm cruise. The ball be bouncin’ like a cannon shot, and both lads were testin’ each other like rival captains circlin’ for broadside range.
Chotrani, steady at the helm, took an early 5–2 lead, makin’ Byrtus dance like a deckhand on a greased plank. But just when he had the game in his treasure chest, he fired two wild shots into the tin—blasted misfires! Still, he held on to take the first game 11–9, though the crowd muttered that he’d nearly scuttled his own ship with all them unforced errors.
Game 2 began with a rally so long and fierce, it could’ve been sung about in sea shanties. Chotrani struck first, goin’ up 4–2, while Byrtus was still battlin’ the ghost of his own mistakes. At 6–3, all o’ Byrtus’ points had come from Chotrani’s blunders—like findin’ gold someone else dropped. Byrtus finally landed a clean cannonball at 4–7, but Chotrani stayed the course and took the game 11–8.
Then came Game 3—and a much-needed nutrition break for this humble ole’ match reporter (bless Tahini’s and their mighty fine shawarma). Meanwhile, Byrtus found his sea legs and unleashed a storm. With sails full and eyes ablaze, he blasted through the game 11–6, bringin’ the match to 1–2 and raisin’ hopes of a full five-game voyage.
But alas, in Game 4, Byrtus’ cannon misfired again—five tins early on! Chotrani, smellin’ blood in the water, hit a drop so filthy it should’ve walked the plank. A few more errors from Byrtus and a heated parley with the ref gave both pirates a moment to swab the decks. At 9–6, Chotrani pulled out a front-court nick so wicked it made the crowd gasp like they’d seen a kraken. A stroke gave Byrtus one last chance, but he couldn’t retrieve the final drop—and Chotrani claimed the match 11–7, 3–1.
The crowd, full of rum and admiration, agreed: Chotrani’s got the skills to plunder this whole tournament—if he can just stop shootin’ holes in his own hull.
Court 2 7:15 Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) V Muhammad Ashab Irfan (PAK)
Game 1 – Irfan takes and early lead at 7-2. Almost identical in size. they both move well, cautiously feeling each other out in their first game. Soon 10-5, then 11-5 for Irfan who makes slightly fewer errors.
Game 2 – right-handed Irfan loses the first point. Left-handed Sanjay makes two until jammed in back right corner. Irfan denied a stroke. After a 25-shot rally, Irfan wins the point and the score is 2-2. The players are warmed up now and the pace is increasing. Sanjay misses a boast. Irfan loses a let call. Sanjay leads 6-3, then misses a boast. Then 7-4. Nice drop from Irfan and the score is 9-5. Sanjay does the same to win the match 11-5.
Game 3 – The players appear to be evenly matched with Irfan taking a 2-1 lead. A beautiful drop makes it 3-1. Sanjay misses a boast, and it is 4-1. Then 6-1 as he makes another drop too good to retrieve. Sanjay counters and takes the next 2 points. A stroke called on Sanjay and the score is 7-3. Sanjay hits tin … 8-3. Soon 9-4, then 10-4 with an error from Sanjay. Irfan wins the game 11-4 with a hard short boast to front right corner.
Game 4 – after a change of shirts, it is soon 1-1. Then 3-1 for Sanjay. Then 4-2. Great retrievals follow with speed and agility from both. Lets are given sparingly. Sanjay leads 5-3. Nice drop from Sanjay and it is 6-4. Soon 7-6 for Sanjay who then misses a drop. Then tied at 7-7. A rear nick gives Irfan the next point. Soon 10-7 for Sanjay. Next is a tin shot from Irfan. Sanjay takes it at 11-7,
Game 5 – the match is tied at 2 games each. Sanjay serves. First point to Irfan. Stroke for Irfan who leads 3-0. Collision on court and a moment to towel the wet spot. Then 4-0. Stroke called on Irfan. 5-1 for Irfan. Then 6-1. Sanjay hits the high red line and it is 7-1. Sanjay is stretching to the limit. 9-1 for Irfan. Then 9-2. Sanjay comes back to 9-3. Irfan hits tin. And does it again. Stroke called and it is match point. A hard-fought point and it is 10-6. Sanjay misses a drop and Irfan wins 11-6.
Court 3 7:15 Sin Yuk Chan (HKG) V Alicia Mead (ENG)
The match opened with both players engaging in accurate, length-driven rallies, forcing each other into difficult movements that were consistently well-defended. Chan appeared to gain the early edge, pulling ahead 7–4, but Mead responded with some impressive attacking play. Despite her efforts, Chan closed out the first game with two clean winners, taking it 11–6.
Game 2 began with a stroke awarded to Mead, who looked energized and ready to respond to Chan’s early pressure. Mead strung together a series of strong kills and lethal straight drops to take control. She surged to a 10–5 lead, but Chan wasn’t done—fighting back with three hard-earned points. It got tense, but Mead held her nerve and sealed the game 11–8 to level the match.
By the third game, both players had settled into the rhythm of the match. The nerves were gone, and the shot-making was on full display. Mead’s quick flicks and low, hard drives applied serious pressure, but the pace began to take its toll. As fatigue set in, a few misreads and guesses cost her, and Chan capitalized to take the game 11–5.
Between games, Mead received a pep talk from Torrie Malik, and it showed. She came out running hard, full of renewed energy. But Chan countered with surgical precision, executing some of the best drops of the day to race out to a 9–1 lead. Mead made one final push in a long, grueling rally that showcased her spirit, but it wasn’t enough. Chan’s relentless quality proved too much, and she closed out the match with style.
Court 2 8:00 Marie Stephan (FRA) V Toby Tse (HKG)
Court 3 8:00 Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) V Cesar Salazar (MEX)
The opening rallies were long and brutal, with a hot, bouncy ball immediately testing both players’ lungs. Melvil showcased incredible retrieval skills, demonstrating sharp changes of direction and relentless defense. Salazar held steady with accurate length and consistent volleys. Tied at 5–5, then again at 7–7, the first game was a battle. Ultimately, Salazar edged it out 12–10 with just a bit more precision in the closing points.
Game 2 saw Salazar come out firing, hitting outrageous straight lines and furious cross courts. But Melvil matched his intensity with lightning-fast movement. A jaw-dropping crosscourt nick from Salazar (which made this reporter audibly gasp) was immediately answered by a rapid-fire flurry from Melvil. In just four minutes, the Frenchman stormed through the game 11–2, leveling the match at 1–1.
The third game opened with Salazar landing a perfect crosscourt winner, but Melvil responded by volleying everything in sight. After a series of back-and-forth rallies, Salazar led 5–3. Melvil, now visibly working hard, showed signs of fatigue, but refused to back down. The score leveled at 6–6, then climbed to 8–8, 9–9, and finally 11–9 in favor of Melvil, who now led 2–1 in games.
The fourth game was one-way traffic. Melvil came out flying, racing to an 8–2 lead in minutes. Salazar looked physically spent, and the match wrapped up quickly with Melvil taking the final game 11–4.
A very impressive performance from the young Frenchman, who showed grit, flair, and a bright future ahead.
Court 2 8:45 Dillon Huang (USA) V Moustafa Elsirty (EGY)
Court 3 8:45 Marta Dominguez (ESP) V Hollie Naughton (CAN)
In the final women’s match of Day 2, Canada’s No. 2 seed Hollie Naughton delivered a commanding performance against Spain’s Marta Dominguez, sealing a straight-games victory in just 22 minutes.
From the opening serve, Naughton set the tone with a blistering pace, racing to an 8–1 lead before closing out the first game 11–5. Dominguez found some rhythm mid-game, capitalizing on traffic issues at the T, but the Canadian’s control was never in doubt.
The second game saw both players trade precise, tight shots along the wall, showcasing sharp attacking and defensive play. Dominguez stayed closer in the early exchanges, but Naughton’s inch-perfect drops and relentless backhand length pushed her ahead, closing the game 11–3 after forcing errors from the Spaniard.
Dominguez responded well in the third, taking an early lead and pushing the rallies deeper. A punishing rally at 3–3 highlighted the intensity, but Naughton’s consistency shone through as she pulled away to 9–5. Despite a late tin error, the Canadian closed out 11–6 to complete the sweep.
Final Score: Naughton (CAN) 3–0 Dominguez (ESP) [11–5, 11–3, 11–6] – 22 minutes
