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NEW YORK, Jan 12: Canadian qualifier Shahier Razik pulled off the ultimate upset in the first round of Marsh & McLennan Apawamis Open squash when he despatched top-seeded Welshman Alex Gough on Sunday.
Razik, the 25-year-old world No 40 from Toronto, fought back from 2-0 down to beat the Welsh champion, ranked 23 places higher, 9-15 9-15 15-2 15-10 15-12.
The Canadian now meets another Briton, seventh-seeded Englishman Stephen Meads, who defeated Australia’s John Williams 15-9 15-12 15-7.
England’s unseeded Jenny Duncalf caused the only upset in the women’s event when she dismissed US national champion Latasha Khan, the 8th seed, 9-7 10-8 9-2 to earn a second round clash with compatriot Rebecca Macree, the No 2 seed.
Results:
MEN’S (first round):
[Q] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [1] Alex Gough (WAL) 9-15, 9-15, 15-2, 15-10, 15-12 [7]; Stephen Meads (ENG) bt John Williams (AUS) 15-9, 15-12, 15-7 [3]; Nick Taylor (ENG) bt [Q] Lee Drew (ENG) 15-9, 15-4, 9-15, 15-8; [Q] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt [8] Stefan Casteleyn (BEL) 15-11, 15-12, 15-13; [5] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt Rodney Durbach (RSA) 15-9, 15-10, 15-7; [4] Renan Lavigne (FRA) bt [Q] Michael Hopkins (ENG) 15-10, 15-11, 15-9; [6] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Wael El Hindi (EGY) 14-15, 15-11, 15-6, 9-15, 15-13; [2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Tommy Berden (NED) 10-15, 10-15, 15-9, 15-12, 15-10
WOMEN’S (first round):
[1] Natalie Pohrer (USA) bt [Q] Salma Shabana (EGY) 9-1, 9-4, 9-3; [5] Vicky Botwright (ENG) bt Meredeth Quick (USA) 9-1, 9-7, 9-4; [3] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Rebecca Botwright (ENG) 9-3, 9-3, 9-0; [7] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [Q] Heidi Mather (AUS) 9-7, 9-2, 9-3; [6] Ellen Petersen (DEN) bt Shabana Khan (USA) 9-1, 9-6, 9-6; [4] Stephanie Brind (ENG) bt [Q] Lara Petera (NZL) 9-2, 9-2, 9-2; Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [8] Latasha Khan (USA) 9-7, 10-8, 9-2; [2] Rebecca Macree (ENG) bt Wendy Maitland (SCO) 10-8, 2-9, 9-3, 9-0.—WSF
