The Gillenmarkets Squash Irish Open 2015 got off to a cracking start today, and the large crowds at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club were delighted to see two out of three Irish players make it through to the quarter finals.
Aisling Blake, through to the quarters
Number one seed in the women’s event Madeline Perry – on her ultimate professional Squash tournament – beat qualifier Leonie Holt (ENG) comfortably in three sets. While Perry will be happy with her performance against the young English player, she faces Olivia Blatchford (USA) tomorrow, the same player who beat her in last year’s quarter final. Perry, with twenty years of professional Squash experience, will be well prepared for tomorrow’s match, but acknowledges that the young American player – fresh off a tournament win in Paderborn, Germany – is a very dangerous opponent. Aisling Blake of Ireland also secured her place in the quarterfinals after beating Tamika Saxby from Australia by three games to one. “I was weary of her because I lost in Rotterdam in September to her. So I am delighted to get a win today, and I felt like I knew what I had to do“, said Blake.
No fortune in the men’s event, where Carlowman Arthur Gaskin – the Irish number one – lost to the number one seed Mazen Hesham (world ranking 30) of Egypt in three exciting games. The young Egyptian looked like a future super star and gave Arthur Gaskin, who tried his best, very little to work with.
Tomorrow’s action continues at 12 in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Center, with live streaming available on
sportslive.ie.
Thursday’s Draws
