Iker Pajares Bernabeu reaches 2024 Squash On Fire Open Final
February 15 2024
The giant killing run of UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu at the 2024 Squash On Fire Open was eventually ended by 2nd seed Youssef Soliman who overcame another determined effort by the Spanish No.1 with an 11-5 11-4 10-12 11-3 victory in the final staged on the all-glass show court at the Squash On Fire Club in Washington DC, USA.
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UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu produced a stunning 89-minute 11-5 5-11 8-11 12-10 14-12 victory over top seed and defending champion Victor Crouin of France to reach the final of the 2024 Squash On Fire Open being staged in Washington DC, USA.
The Spanish No.1 will play 2nd seed Youssef Soliman who defeated Youssef Ibrahim in the opposing semi-final.
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UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu of Spain defeated Nathan Lake of England 11-7 11-7 3-11 8-11 11-4 in the quarter-finals of the Squash On Fire Open 2024 being staged in Washington DC, USA. The Spanish No.1 will today face top seed Victor Crouin of France in the semi-finals.
Fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Todd Harrity was denied a place in the semi-finals by 2nd seed Youssef Soliman of Egypt who closed-out a tightly-contested 10-12 11-9 11-5 11-4 victory.
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UNSQUASHABLE player Todd Harrity progressed to a career-first PSA World Tour quarter-final with an 11-7 11-3 11-4 upset over 7th seed and former World No.3 Omar Mosaad of Egypt in the 2nd round of the Squash On Fire Open 2024 being staged in Washington DC, USA.
The 33-year-old American, who secured his first win of 2024 in the opening round with victory over Daniel Poleshchuk of Israel, maintained his momentum in a formidable display against the former World No.3, clinching the opening game 11-7 and maintaining unwavering control throughout the encounter.
Playing with great accuracy and astute tactical variations, Todd Harrity effectively manoeuvred Omar Mosaad across the court and capitalised on opportunities to dominate the play, particularly exploiting the front two corners with adeptness from the 'T' to close-out an impressive 29 victory.
Iker Pajares Bernabeu of Spain will (join his UNSQUASHABLE player in the quarter-finals following an impressive 68 minute 11-2 11-13 12-10 11-9 victory over compatriot Bernat Jaume in a repeat of the his recent win at the Spanish National Championships where he secured his fourth national title.
Despite impressive 2nd round showings from James Willstrop, Lucas Serme and Yannick Wilhelmi, all were beaten in their 2nd round matches. After his exploits in the 1st round where he overcame Portugal No.1 Rui Soares in five games, James Willstrop of England was unable to navigate past compatriot Nathan Lake who eventually triumphed 13-11 11-3 9-11 11-6 in 44 minutes. Lucas Serme of France was beaten 11-7 11-9 11-8 by 4th seed Youssef Ibrahim of Egypt, whilst Yannick Wilhelmi was denied 11-9 6-11 3-11 11-7 13-11 in 77 minutes by Scottish No.1 Greg Lobban.
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James Willstrop rolled back the years to make a triumphant return to the PSA World Tour, recovering from 2-1 down to defeat Portugal No.1 Rui Soares 11-5 5-11 10-12 11-6 11-9 in the 1st round of the 2024 Squash On Fire Open 2024 being staged in Washington DC, USA.
Having last competed on the PSA World Tour in December, James Willstrop showed no signs of rustiness as he swiftly secured an early advantage and clinch the opening game. Despite Rui Soares finding his rhythm and surging ahead to claim the subsequent two games through intense physicality, James Willstrop drew on his wealth of experience to force a decisive fifth game.
In a captivating final game, the former World No.1 and 22-time PSA World Tour winner electrified the fervent crowd with two trademark windmill shots during the latter stages of the match. With the tension mounting, James Willstrop gained a crucial edge in the fifth game, eventually reaching match point after 53 minutes of intense action. Showing his trademark precision and finesse, James Willstrop sealed the victory with a decisive forehand winner, to close-out a deserved and hard-fought victory.
Reflecting on the match, James Willstrop said: "I haven't played for so long, so I didn't know what to expect. But it was great, I loved every minute of it. I'm constantly seeing how I'm doing with my playing. Obviously, with my coaching, there's much less playing going on, but it was nice to feel good out there and to know why I still want to play out there. To get a win and a good result was a bonus.
"I think I knew before the match that I had to start well and not get embroiled in too many physical rallies. The physicality is a little bit of a doubt, I'm not sure how much of an engine I've got at the minute, so getting that first game quickly was good.
"I just got a run in the fourth and completely changed the match. I'm slightly surprised at myself, but I'll take it."
There were other notable winners for UNSQUASHABLE on the opening day of the 2024 Squash on Fire tournament with Todd Harrity beating Daniel Poleshchuk 7-11 9-11 11-6 11-1 11-8 in 51 minutes, Lucas Serme overcoming Wild Card Muhammad Asim Khan of Pakistan 8-11 11-6 11-5 11-3 in 43 minutes and Yannick Wilhelmi who beat Tayyab Aslam of Pakistan 15-13 11-5 11-5 in 32 minutes.
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