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Nash Cup 2024 : Day ONE Reports

Court 2 3pm Elise Romba (FRA; 91) v Alex Haydon (AUS; 68)

Elise and Alex and both in the NASH Cup for the first time and as first match has a smaller crowd than most. If history is any indication this will change very quickly as member and spectators arrive. There is history between these players. They last faced off in 2022 with Alex winning 3-0, but the last game went to 11-9.

Their games are similar as they work up and down the side walls with length looking for an opportunity to drop. Alex does a good job pushing Elise back, but Elise has a great ut away shot from the back and is able to pick up some quick point. Elise is in control of game one moving to 9-1 as Alex struggles to find a weakness. A nice tight boast moves it to 9-2. A long rally and a series of tight drops ends with Elise going 10-2. Alex starts to gain control of the tee but the first game is too far gone and goes to Elise 11-4.

Game two opens with a long rally and Alex gains the opening point. She’s hitting more lobs and trying to Elsie in the back of the court. It’s working Elise is hitting hard but struggling to get it past Alex who drops a winner to go up 3-0. What a difference in game and strategy. 7-0 Alex. Alex goes short; Elise wins the point….back to the lob. 7-2. Steady rally and a dead nik out 10-4 Alex. She takes game two….this is a great start.

Small commentator break as we realize that towel buckets are still a thing and we gets them out on the courts. Alex continues her momentum in game three taking a commanding 6-3 lead. Elise is challenged to get in front and going for winers when she does, but it’s not turning the game. 9-4 Alex. On last one into the tin. Match is 2-1 Alex.

Elise is a lefty, but opens game three by keeping the ball on the right wall for over a dozen shots. She may be right about Alex’s strengths, but alex is still able to hit the tight winners in the front right and moves to a 3-0 lead. Both players can hit with power and there are few errors. Elise moves the ball around catching some tight angles and is now down 4-5. A tough not let moves us to 8-4 Alex. The call was right, Alex was clear of the swing before it got their, but a hit to any momentum for Elise. The match ends 11-5.

Court 3 3pm Brett Schille (CAN; 190) v Tom Walsh (ENG; 66)

Court 2 3:45 Jeremias Azana (ARG; 76) v Perry Malik (ENG; 94)

Perry Malik is finally making his NASH Cup debut after narrowly missing out in 2022, while Jeremias Azana is playing in his second consecutive tournament. Both players started strong, but Malik quickly found his rhythm, moving Azana into all four corners with ease and taking control of the first game. Malik's dominance was clear early on, with a 6-0 lead, including two stunning reverse boasts that brought the crowd’s approval. Azana struggled to find his length and control the T, allowing Malik to take the first game comfortably at 11-4.

Azana regrouped in the second game, starting with a quick point, but Malik responded with a brilliant shot to even it up. Azana extended a long rally to force an error from Malik, keeping it competitive. At 3-3, Malik found his stride again with a classic backcourt nick, but Azana fought back, tying the game at 5-5. A thrilling rally saw Malik take the lead, but the two players remained neck and neck, exchanging points until 7-7. Azana’s patience and skill in a long rally gave him an 8-7 lead, and both players began to find more comfort on the court, resulting in extended rallies. Malik earned a matchball at 10-9, but Azana saved it after a spectacular dive. In a nail-biting rally, Malik finally closed out the second game 11-9, going up 2-0 in games.

Azana knew he needed a strong start in the third game to stay alive, and he did just that, taking an early 2-0 lead. Malik responded to take a 3-2 lead, but Azana’s tenacity earned him a 5-3 advantage after a few unforced errors from Malik. Azana maintained his momentum, pushing up the T and increasing the pace, ultimately converting at 11-5 to take the third game. He was now firmly back in the match.

In the fourth game, Malik regrouped after an early error and took two points to go up 2-1. However, Azana took control again, moving ahead 5-2. Malik fought back to level at 7-7, taking the next point for a narrow lead. A critical error by Malik tied the game at 8-8, but a beautiful cross-drop nick from Malik put him back ahead at 9-9. With another matchball at 10-9, the crowd was on edge. Azana saved it with a brilliant forehand kill, and after two lets due to traffic, Malik earned another matchball. Azana saved it again and eventually won the game 13-11 with a series of impressive shots, pushing the match to a fifth and deciding game.

The final game began with both players locked at 3-3. Azana, pushing up higher on the T, moved Malik around the court, taking a 5-3 lead. A controversial point at 4-3 where the crowd thought the ball hit Malik was awarded to him, tying the game at 5-5. Azana then produced a series of perfect drops to reclaim the lead at 6-5. A massive rally at 7-5 ended with a questionable no-let decision, giving Azana an 8-5 lead. Malik fought back to 9-7 with some gorgeous backhand volley drops, but Azana earned himself four matchballs at 10-7. Malik saved one matchball, and after a long 60-minute rally, Azana made an error, bringing the score to 8-10. Malik saved another matchball with a backhand volley kill, bringing the score to 10-10. Malik saved a total of four matchballs, but an unforced error gave Azana another chance. Azana finally converted, winning the fifth game 12-10 in an incredible display of squash.

Court 3 3:45 Catalina Pelaez (COL; 81) v Iman Shaheen (CAN; 136)

Iman, 19 yrs old, from Ottawa has been here 3 previous times.

Catalina, 33, from Columbia has been here at least 5 times already.

Catalina wins the toss and the first point. At 6-4 she is providing more speed and power than her opponent but Inan's shots are keeping her in the game. The final score is 11-6 for the Columbian.

Game 2 starts with the right-handed Catalina losing the first two points to the left-handed Inan. At 4-2 a stroke is awarded to Inan for another point. They tie at 7-7. With tighter shots, Catalina continues to dominate and win with a final score of 11-7.

Game 3 shows Catalina up 4-0 before losing a point. Mistakes are few on either side but the power and speed of Catalina takes her to victory with an 11-5 final account.

Court 2 4:30 Katerina Tycova (GER; 99) v Marta Dominguez (ESP; 61)

Court 3 4:30 Matthew Lai (HKG; 84) v Sanjay Jeeva (MAS; 67)

Matthew, 25, from Hong Kong, first time to this event.

Sanjay, 25, from Malasia (Kuala Lumpur) 2nd time here, chess champion who speaks 6 languages (grew up in Belgium).

Game 1 - Sanjay wins the toss. Long rallies follow. Twelve minutes into the game and the score is 2-2. Sanjay slowly takes the upper hand, and the score is 8-4 in his favour. A minor collision stalls the game at 10-7 and the game is decided by a stroke in Sanjay's favour ... 11-7.

Game 2 - The right-handed Matthew wins the first point against the left-handed Malasian. The speed is fast with few shots getting past the opponent. Matthew appears to be a former badminton player considering the way he jumps so high for some of the returns. The game ends in his favour at 11-5.

Game 3 - Both shirts are very wet. Neither player has shown any sign of slowing down. They tie at 4-4. Matthew's request for a stroke is denied and it is 6-4 for Sanjay who finally wins at 11-8.

Game 4 - New shirts. Sanjay goes up 8-0 before his streak ends. . He wins at 11-1.

Game 5 - Games are tied at 2 each. At 5-2 for Matthew, neither is giving any ground. Sanjay excels at diving and doing the splits. 6-3 for Matthew with nothing left on the table. Its 9-5 for Matthew as Sanjay hits one out. he battles back to 10-7, then 10-8, 10-9, then 10-10! Sanja wins at 11-10. What a comeback!

Court 2 5:15 Ben Smith (ENG; 69) v Salah Eltorgman (CAN; 88)

Court 3 5:15 Asia Harris (ENG; 69) v Wai Yhann Au Yeong (SGP; 88)

Asia Harris, 19, from England. Coached by Nick Matthew.

Wai Yhann Au Yeong 25, from Singapore, first time here.

Game 1 - Wai goes up 3-0 before her streak is broken. A delay of game while dust is swept from the floor by our very own Al Fayad who steps up when needed. Play resumes. At 9-6, Wai is gaining ground and wins at 11-7.

Game 2- At 5-2 Asia is showing a little stronger. Her reach is an advantage as she gets to 8-4 and ultimately wins at 11-6.

Game 3 - Again the floor is swept after Asia's concern about sliding. At 6-4 for Wai, Asia makes a few errors to her disadvantage. At 8-8 they are tied. A drop-boast gives Asia a 11-9 win.

Game 4 - The game starts with a couple of long rallies but Wai has definitely been on the offensive up 6-2 early in the match and in this game there have been a couple of lets allowed early. wai in this game is definitely on th3e offensive wanting to force game 5 which has happened - Wai winds 11-6.

Game 5 - this has been a hard fought match so far and it will be interesting to see if stamina comes into play in Game 5. Both players are fighting hard in this final set and the game is tied 2-2. And with both players still fighting hard - now tied at 5-5. Asia's reach/height advantage definitely seems to be an advantage for her in this game - now leading 8-5. Late in the set with the score 9-7 there is a collision but both players show great sportsmanship. And a win for Asia 11-7 and on the lasy play Wai loosing her shoe in the final point of the game.

Court 2 6:30 Amal Izhar (CAN; 237) VS. Caroline Fouts (USA; 92)

Court 3 6:30 Yannik Omlor (GER) VS. Kareem El Torkey (EGY)

Yannik from Germany was here in London about 2 or 3 years ago and competed in the Nash Cup

This is Kareem’s - age 21 - first visit to London. He has taken a week off school to compete here and is returning to Egypt next week to return to school.

Game 1

This is my first time attending a squash competition and i must say not knowing much about squash the men’s matches are extremely fast with longer rallies and both players seem as they are quicker than the women’s match I just watched, on the court (not meaning to sound sexist)!

After several long rallies the score is tied 4-4 and both players seemed evenly matched.

Kareem made a great nick, and the score is now 10-5 for Kareem. A great final shot by Kareem and the first game is won by him 11-7.

Game 2

The second game is moving along much quicker with shorter rallies and the score is now 6-4 for Yannik. Quick rallies and a quick game - Yannik wins 11-5.

Game 3

With the game at 2-1 for Kareem the rallies are fabulous - with so much technique being shown by both players.

Shots that drop right at the wall followed by the players smashing the ball and both players running full out, lunging with all their might to reach and return the other players’ shots. And it shows in the score - tied 3-3 with very long rallies. I would say the crowd watching this game seems to be cheering for Kareem to succeed.

The rallies are so exciting - both players giving it their all - and the score is now 9-9. What a rally - the technique shown is wonderful to watch. And Yannik wins this set 11-9.

Game 4

Early in this game the score is quickly 4-0 for Kareem and the game is moving along quickly at this point. Neither player is showing any signs of issues with their stamina. Kareem is playing brilliantly this game and is quickly leading 9-0. and Kareem wins 11-1.

Game 5

As game 5 starts I would say Kareem looks a little more composed and confident after his success in Game 4. After great play by both players in this the deciding game the score is tied 2-2. Kareem’s confidence now has him up 7-2. And match point is here - Kareem has won 11-4. In a final comment I would same Yannik started to look a little tired.

Court 2 7:15 Joseph White (AUS; 84) VS. Taylor Carrick (CAN; 214)

Court 3 7:15 Sara Cheng (HKG; 65) VS. Lowri Roberts (WAL; 89)

Sara Cheng from Hong Kong is 24, new to London, and is studying to be a Building Surveyor.

Lowri is from Wales, 26, and also enjoying her first entry to the Nash Cup.

Game 1 - Lowri wins the toss and the first point. At 3-2 for Sara, a string breaks and Lowri has to call time-out. At 6-3 Lowri seems to have less difficulty controlling the front of the court, keeping Sara deep. They're tied at 7-7 with Lowri starting to make a few errors. They are tied again at 9-9 but the errors add up and the game finishes with Sara leading 11-9.

Game 2 - They are quickly tied at 4-4, both moving well, now both making a few errors. The "tin" is not their friend. Lowri wins the game at 11-5 with both hoping for less errors in the next game.

Game 3 - At 4-2 (Lowri) they both look like they are just getting warmed up. Its 4-4 when a collision sidelines Sara for a few minutes. Play resumes and there are a great many shots down the left wall from the two right-handed players. At 7-6 it has been Sara's turn to make the most mistakes. One more tin from Sara and the game ends at 11-6 for Lowri.

Game 4 - Starts with a long rally and Sara winning the point. The pace has picked up and the crowd is getting noisier. They don't know whether to cheer for Lauri or Lowri or Lorri! At 6-4 (Sara) the errors continue to take their toll. At 9-6 for Sara, Sara gets a stroke, followed by a winning shot in the next rally and wins the game 11-6.

Game 5 - Its 2-2 in games and Sara is soon up 2-0 in this one. Tight shots and some tin from Lowri gives Sara a 6-2 lead. A stroke gives Sara a 9-3 lead. Sara wins with a 11-6 final score.

Court 2 8:00 Alison Thomson (SCO; 84) VS. Saran Nghiem (ENG; 67)

Court 3 8:00 Diego Gobbi (BRA; 119) VS. Finnlay Withington (ENG; 83)

Game 1 - Finnlay takes the first 3 points. At 6-3, Finnlay is showing slightly more deceptive shots and great speed. At 8-5 he continues to dominate with tight shots. Errors are few on both sides. But then it is tied at 10-10. Then 11-10 Finnlay. Then 11-11. Great rallies. Final score 13-11 for Finnlay.

Game 2 - They start off evenly, tied at 2-2, 3-3, Nothing is not gettable as they both make great shots, tight to the line and low at the front. Finnlay slowly pulls ahead and finishes the game with an 11-5 win.

Game 3 - opens with Diego pulling ahead with 3 straight points. Two mistakes and a stroke put Finnlay back in the lead at 4-3. They're tied at 5-5 again at 6-6 and again at 7-7. Diego pulls ahead to 10-7 and makes a low front nick to finish the game with a 11-7 win.

Court 2 8:45 Nour Haikal (EGY; 71) VS. Sofia Mateos (ESP; 134)

Court 3 8:45 Moustafa Elsirty (EGY; 75) VS. Lwamba Chileshe (NZL; 97)

The final match of the night was pure electricity, as two rising stars squared off in a thrilling showdown that extended well past 9 PM. The anticipation in the air was palpable—the crowd buzzing, the players laser-focused, ready to deliver a match for the ages. On paper, Elsirty was the undeniable favorite. Rankings, past performances, and even the betting odds stacked in his favor as he faced Chileshe for the first time on the PSA tour. But what unfolded on court was far from predictable.

In the cool night air, both players—among the tallest in the draw—were eager to get things underway, skipping a lengthy warmup to dive straight into the action. Elsirty quickly surged ahead with a commanding 3-0 lead in the first game. By 7-2, it seemed like the script was following its expected course. But Chileshe, the scrappy New Zealander, wasn’t reading from that script. With razor-sharp retrievals and unshakable determination, he clawed his way back to 8-8, stunning the crowd and Elsirty alike. The players exchanged points, each rally more intense than the last. A controversial call at 11-10 in Chileshe’s favor tipped the balance, as he seized the first game 12-10 after a “No Let” call on game ball, leaving Elsirty visibly frustrated.

The drama was only beginning. Close calls and split decisions became a theme, with the crowd on edge as the second game unfolded. Elsirty, now determined to make a statement, unleashed a series of blistering cross-court nicks, leveling the score at 3-3. But an injury timeout following contact slowed the Egyptian down briefly. When play resumed, the two exchanged blows like heavyweight boxers, tying the score at 7-7. Then, a deft kill shot from Chileshe nudged him ahead 9-8, and the New Zealander pressed his advantage to close out the second game 11-8, taking a surprising 2-0 lead.

Elsirty, staring down the barrel of an upset, came out with guns blazing in the third. He quickly went up 2-0, but Chileshe matched his energy, evening the score at 4-4. The tension mounted as a contested call left Elsirty pleading for relief after contact to his non-racket hand. But the referee let play continue, and the match surged forward, point for point. At 10-9, Chileshe held match ball, ready to deliver the knockout punch. But Elsirty dug deep, saving match point with an explosive rally, and ultimately taking the game 13-11 in a stunning comeback. His roar of triumph shook the walls as the crowd erupted—game on.

The momentum shifted in the fourth, with Elsirty fully in command. Chileshe, rattled and making unforced errors, couldn’t find his rhythm as Elsirty steamrolled to an 11-4 win, forcing a decisive fifth game. The crowd, though fatigued, was on the edge of their seats, knowing the final chapter of this epic saga was about to unfold.

And what a fifth game it was. Each point was a battle, with neither player willing to give an inch. Elsirty inched ahead 6-4, only for Chileshe to respond with a breathtaking cross-court winner, narrowing the gap to 6-5. But the Egyptian was relentless, pulling ahead 8-6. Then came the crucial moment—a controversial “No Let” call against Elsirty brought the score to 8-7, followed by another “No Let” against Chileshe after a freakish bounce off the wall. The tension was unbearable. At 9-7, Elsirty pounced, seizing the moment with a final surge, and sealing the match 11-7 with a triumphant racket drop and a victorious roar that echoed through the arena.

This match was an absolute rollercoaster—a test of heart, skill, and sheer willpower. It was a vivid reminder that in squash, nothing is over until the final point is won. Elsirty’s ability to fight back from the brink of defeat proved his mettle as a true contender, while Chileshe’s performance left no doubt that his rise is far from over. In the end, it was a masterclass in resilience and determination—an unforgettable night for everyone who witnessed it.

#nashcup

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