Thrilling Five-Setters Highlight Opening Day of Bermuda Open
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Squash Racquets Association Club was buzzing with action as the first round of the IQUW Bermuda Open Squash Championships got underway, with two captivating matches going the distance and requiring the full five sets to determine a victor.
In the Women’s Division, spectators were treated to a tense and closely fought encounter between Wai Yhann Au Yeong of Singapore and Risa Sugimoto of Japan. The match ebbed and flowed over 44 minutes, eventually seeing Au Yeong emerge victorious with a 3-2 scoreline. The Singaporean player took the initial two games 11-7, 11-6, but Sugimoto fought back with resilience, claiming the next two 6-11, 9-11 to force a deciding fifth set. In a nail-biting final game, Au Yeong held her nerve to clinch the win 12-10.
The Men’s Division also witnessed a gruelling five-set battle as Moustafa Elsirty from Egypt faced off against Jorge Gomez Dominguez from Mexico. This captivating contest stretched to 66 minutes, with both players showcasing their determination and skill. Dominguez took the opener 7-11, but Elsirty responded in the second 11-6. The Mexican regained the lead in the third 8-11, only for Elsirty to level the match once more with an 11-6 victory in the fourth. The Egyptian ultimately prevailed in the deciding fifth set, taking it 11-6 to advance to the next round.
Unfortunately for the home crowd, Bermuda’s sole competitor in the tournament, Taylor Carrick, faced a tough challenge against Veer Chotrani from India. Chotrani proved too strong on the day, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory in just 24 minutes. The Indian player won in straight games with scores of 11-5, 11-3, 11-6, ending Carrick’s participation in the opening round.
Despite Carrick’s exit, the opening day of the IQUW Bermuda Open has already delivered some thrilling squash action, with the two five-set encounters setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament ahead. Squash fans in Bermuda will be eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches as the competition intensifies.
