Sunday, June 14 2009

There were no surprises on Friday in the Trinidad and Tobago Open Squash Championships as the top four seeds in the Men’s, Women’s and Veterans divisions all advanced to their respective semi-finals with convincing victories.

The tournament which is being played at the Cascadia Squash Courts comes to and end tomorrow when all the champions will be crowned.

First seed among the Men, Shawn Simpson of Barbados, swept aside Peter Pirtheesingh 11-6, 11-5, 11-3 to set up a meeting with TT’s Kale Wilson who got past Justin Sanguinette 11-9, 11-7, 11-3.

Number two seed Bajan Mark Sealy was hardly troubled in his quarter-final match versus Kevin Ross, prevailing 11-3, 11-7, 11-2. Sealy’s victory places him against fourth seed Marc Pontifex who rolled into the “semis” courtesy an 11-9, 11- 9, 11-6 win over Travis Gopaul.

Meanwhile, first seed and overwhelming favourite Karen Meakins of Barbados, crushed Michelle Cornilliac 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals. Meakins lost just eight game points before securing a clinical victory 11- 1, 11-5, 11-2. The number two ranked player in the Caribbean will square off against 15-time TT champion Rhea Khan who needed four games to get past Amy Gillezeau 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9.

Princeton university student Joanna Scoon took care of Karina Lutchmedialsingh 11-2, 11-0, 11-4 while UK resident Kerrie Sample defeated Jessica Scott 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.

Mark Sealy returned to the courts to cement his place in the last four of the Veterans category, whipping William Bhola 11-7, 11-3, 11-4. Brian Jackson booked his spot in the ‘semi’, rallying from a game down to beat his namesake Brian Phillips 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8. TT’s Richard Hart got past compatriot and old rival Duncan Smart 3-1, taking four games to get the job done (11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6). John Holley, who recently competed in two tournaments joined them in the final four, breezing past Alfred Bell 11-1, 11-3, 11-5.