The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) commenced its largest and first tournament of the year, the Bounty Farm Mash Handicap tournament last night at the Georgetown Club Squash Facility with some 40 entries.
After 11 matches, all but one of the top seeds advanced to the second round of the competition today while a few elite players benefited from first round byes. Among the players with first round byes were Ashley and Jason Ray Khalil, Nyron Joseph, Raphael deGroot and Steven Xavier.
Reigning Caribbean under 19 champion Mary Fung-A-Fat managed to overcome a -2 handicap to take out Dwayne Yang 15/13, 5/15, 15/11 even though Yang had a 10-point head start. Ashley deGroot (0) who was runner up to Fung-A-Fat at the Caribbean Junior championships last year, defeated Pablio Munduni (+7) in the first round. DeGroot, who competed at the Women’s World Squash Open last year, crushed Munduni in straight games 15/13, 15/8.
Newly elected president of GSA David Fernandes (+10) also managed to win his encounter against Lee Fung-A-Fat (9/15, 15/12, 13/15) who possessed a (+8) handicap. His daughter Taylor Fernandes (+9) on the other hand was unable to advance after Hapoei Yang (+10) edged her out in straight games 15/13, 15/9.
Jonathon Antczak(+6) defeated Mehdi Ramdhani (+5) 15/11, 15/9, while former Caribbean under 15 champion Benjamin Meckdeci (0) defeated Lydia Fraser (+11). Joven Benn overcame a -3 handicap to eliminated junior national hockey goalkeeperAlysa Xavier (2/15, 16/14, 15/13). Nicholas Narain defeated MahendraKhusial while Ingram Edwards eased by Kiev Chesney. Lloyd Fung-A-Fat eliminated AvinashOdit while Antonio Joseph (+12) defeated Alec Mellville(+6).
The tournament continues today at 18:30hrs with matches in the main draw as well as the plate (consolation round) round for the players who lost their first round encounters. Top playersJoseph (-10), Raphael deGroot (-8), Jason Ray (-20) and Ashley Khalil (-5) as expected to play their first matches of the tournament tonight.
