Tough competition at the squash open
Squash
The PSA BDO Namibian Open 2024 squash tournament kicked off with a thrilling first round of matches in the men’s division on Tuesday afternoon, featuring strong performances from local and international players. So far the competition hosted at Wanderers Club saw players from countries like Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Germany delivering impressive results and setting a high standard for the upcoming rounds.
Nigeria’s Faruq Sulaimon was in fine form, defeating his countryman Ayomide Oladipupo 3-1 in a hard-fought match. Sulaimon showcased both skill and endurance, advancing to the next round with confidence.
John Anderson (South Africa) displayed his prowess by swiftly overcoming Namibia’s Andrew Fourie in straight sets, securing a 3-0 victory.
Similarly, Shedrack Abel (Nigeria) delivered a powerful performance, winning three consecutive sets against Namibia’s number one Max Endjala. Reflecting on his victory, Abel acknowledged the intense atmosphere: “The crowd did not make it easy; every time Max got a point, they went crazy. But I blocked out the noise and kept my focus, and I’m very happy with the win.”
Yusuf Elsherif from Egypt also put on a stellar display, defeating Namibia’s Le-Hugo Van Rooyen 3-0. His focused gameplay and efficient movements made for a smooth win, adding to Egypt’s strong expectations of success in the tournament.
Arno Diekmann of Namibia enjoyed a victorious start, beating his compatriot Steven Berry in three straight sets.
In a compelling South African sibling rivalry, Tristen Worth overcame his brother Hayden Worth in a tightly contested 3-0 match. Tristen, reflecting on the match, shared, “I enjoy playing against my brother; it’s healthy competition, and we always motivate each other to get better.”
Germany’s Finn Koch rounded off the day’s matches with a dominant 3-0 victory over Zimbabwe’s Callum Lawton. Koch’s skill and strategy were evident, as he comfortably advanced to the next round.
With more action set to unfold, the PSA BDO Namibian Open 2024 promises to deliver world-class squash leading up to the finals this coming weekend.
Catch all the upcoming matches live on DStv channel 285 and GoTv 25, or at https://oneuptwo.com as the tournament heads towards an exciting conclusion on Saturday.
Our live broadcasts start at 17:45 (Thursday and Friday) and at 18:30 on Saturday.