Kiwi Update from the World Juniors

Victories for three out of six of the Kiwi players in action in the first round at the world men’s junior squash championships in Chennai, India this evening

The Auckland trio of Matthew Lucente, Gabe Yam and Elijah Thomas all scored opening wins in hot conditions. Thomas beat a Canadian opponent in five games while Lucente took four games for his victory over a Colombian and Yam was successful in four games for his win over Irishman, Scott Gillanders.

Lucente will play South African Keegan Waugh in the second round overnight New Zealand time while Thomas will be up against Abbas Zeb (Pakistan) and Yam will face Muhammad Farham Hashmi (Pakistan).

Of the other Kiwis, Tenwa Chileshe had a one hour long match which went five games against a seed from Malaysia. Unfortunately the Kiwi who led by two sets wasn’t able to come away with the victory.

Anthony Lepper also played a seed but was beaten in straight games by a Canadian player and Leo Fatialofa was beaten in four sets by his Malaysian opponent.

The world women’s junior squash championships get underway the following day at the same venue.

First Round Results:

Elijah Thomas bt Darosham Khan (Canada) 4-11, 12-10, 11-6, 1-11, 11-8,

Matthew Lucente bt Nicolas Sema (Colombia) 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 11-3,

Gabe Yam bt Scott Gillanders (Ireland) 11-8, 11-2, 8-11, 11-7,

Anthony Lepper lt Julien Gosset (Canada) 9-11, 6-11, 4-11,

Temwa Chileshe lt Siow Yee Xian (Malaysia) 12-11, 11-6, 3-11, 2-11, 7-11.

Leo Fatialofa lt Muhammad Uzair (Malaysia) 8-11, 11-9, 6-11, 4-11.