After the Irish contingent of Squash players being decimated to two in the yesterday’s first round matches, the crowds at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Center were delighted to see the remaining Irish players – Madeline Perry and Aisling Blake – make it through to the semi-finals.
Madeline Perry, happy after a solid 3:1 win
Perry, playing her last professional Squash tournament, had a tricky challenge playing young American Olivia Blatchford – the same player who had beaten her unexpectedly in last year’s edition. This tie around Perry imposed herself and was up to the challenge, winning by three games to one. “I would have preferred a 3:0 but I’ll take a 3:1 as well. I had a slight drop in concentration in game three – my length dropped which allowed her to play her shots – but then I started in the fourth game really well and closed it out.”
Aisling Blake, the Irish number two, had a tough match on her hands against the number 29 of the women’s world ranking Delia Arnold. Blake put on one of her best performances yet in an Irish Open, and enthralled the crowd with her exceptional backhand drops. Result: and unexcpected yet thoroughly deserved three love victory,
Now the tow Irish ladies face each other in the semis, which guarantees Irish interest in Saturday’s final. Both players supported each other during the respective matches, and Perry.
In the men’s, qualifier Paul Coll is facing Lucas Serme of France, while the two young Egyptians – Ali Farag and number one seed, Mazen Hesham – are due to enthrall crowds with their exciting styles of play.
Action resumes at 5pm in Fitzwilliam, and is streamed live on
IRISH SQUASH TV
