Rising Mexican star Arturo Salazar pulled off a notable upset in the first round of the True North Berkshire Open when he beat higher-ranked Egyptian Omar Abdel Aziz to reach the quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour International 25 squash event in its seventh year at Williams College in Williamstown in the US state of Massachusetts.
"Arturo demonstrated why he is very much a player-to-watch on the PSA Tour, as his fluid movement and compact, decisive, stroking were way too reliable for the athletically out-matched Egyptian," said Williams College Head Squash Coach Zafi Levy after the 23-year-old Mexican's 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 victory in 35 minutes on the glass court in the college's Chandler gymnasium.
Salazar, the world No51 from San Luis Potosi, will next face the event's top seed Wael El Hindi, also an Egyptian. The 30-year-old world No16 was too strong, too precise, and too polished for Chris Ryder, beating the Englishman 11-7, 11-5, 11-8.
US qualifier Christopher Gordon, still reasonably fresh from his qualifying run which earned him his best win of his young career - a four-game victory over world No40 Ryan Cuskelly - surprised Spaniard Borja Golan, a former world No10.
Gordon, the world No72 from New York, took the first game before succumbing to the superb accuracy, control of the T and economy of movement of his more experienced opponent. Golan, currently ranked 31 in the world, went on to win 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 in 50 minutes.
The evening's final match was a battle royal between Englishman Joey Barrington and third-seeded Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez.
"The pair fought through a four game tussle that left both players exhausted and what was left of the night's good-sized crowd amazed and deeply appreciative of their efforts," explained Levy.
Rodriguez ultimately prevailed 12-10, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6 after 72 minutes.
RESULTS: PSA International 25 True North Berkshire Open, Williamstown, Mass, USA
1st round (top half of draw):
[1] Wael El Hindi (EGY) bt Chris Ryder (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 (49m)
Arturo Salazar (MEX) bt Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (35m)
Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) 9-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (50m)
[3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Joey Barrington (ENG) 12-10, 13-11, 9-11, 11-6 (72m)
Remaining 1st round matches:
[4] Shahier Razik (CAN) v [Q] David Phillips (CAN)
Tom Richards (ENG) v [Q] Shaun le Roux (ENG)
Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) v [Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN)
[2] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) v Julian Illingworth (USA)