RESULTS: National Capital Squash Open, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
1st round:
[1] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Zac Alexander (AUS) 6-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4 (75m)
[6] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) bt [Q] Shaun le Roux (ENG) 6-11, 11-9, 2-0 ret. (45m)
[3] Martin Knight (NZL) bt [Q] Khawaja Adil Maqbool (PAK) 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5 (50m)
David Phillips (CAN) bt [5] Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (61m)
[8] Bernardo Samper (COL) bt [Q] Wade Johnstone (AUS) 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 (32m)
[4] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt [Q] Omar El Kashef (EGY) w/o
[7] Yasir Butt (PAK) bt Jethro Binns (WAL) 11-7, 11-7, 12-10 (33m)
[2] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt Steve Finitsis (AUS) 11-7, 11-7, 12-10 (37m)
David Phillips boosted North American interest in the quarter-finals of the National Capital Open when he upset fifth-seeded Malaysian Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in the first round of the $16,875 PSA World Tour squash event at Bethesda Sport & Health Club in Bethesda in the US state of Maryland.
The 29-year-old Canadian from Montreal took just over an hour to see off Adnan 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 and will now face New Zealander Martin Knight, the third seed, for a place in the semi-finals.
The weather continued to play havoc with the event as snow-filled lanes caused unprecedented traffic gridlock around Bethesda, forcing players and spectators to abandon or park their cars at distances from the club and make the last mile on foot.
“Wade Johnstone's story took the cake,” said tournament organiser Rod Barnes. “About a mile from the club and with only 15 minutes to get to the club for his match, Wade handed over the wheel to his wife and started running. He made it, just.
“He played his match against Bernardo Samper - lasting over 30 minutes of playing time – recovered, then hot-footed it back to join her for the last 1/2 mile, which took another hour to drive!”
Top seed Miguel Angel Rodriguez had the toughest battle to secure his place in the last eight. The 24-year-old world No26 from Bogota twice had to come from behind before beating unseeded Australian Zac Alexander 6-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4 in 75 minutes.
Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [6] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[3] Martin Knight (NZL) v David Phillips (CAN)
[4] Campbell Grayson (NZL) v [8] Bernardo Samper (COL)
[2] Shahier Razik (CAN) v [7] Yasir Butt (PAK)