Defending champion Khalil makes impressive start to 2014 edition
DEFENDING champion of the Guyana Squash Association/Bounty Farm-sponsored Annual Mashramani Handicap Squash tournament, Ray Khalil, made an impressive start to this year’s tournament which served off on Tuesday evening at the Georgetown Club courts.Playing with a severe minus 22 handicap, the former Caribbean Junior champion brushed aside Medhi Ramdhani who had a plus six handicap 15-11, 15-12 to advance to the second round which was set to be contested last evening.
The 19-year-ol Khalil was down to face Matthew (plus nine handicap) who drew a bye to the second round.
Also in winners’ row on Tuesday evening was Rebecca Low who won the category `A’ title last year.
This year she is competing in the Open category and on Tuesday evening, playing with a plus 11 handicap, she defeated Robert Hiscock (plus nine handicap) 15-11, 15-12.
She was down to come against Lloyd Fung-A-Fat (plus seven handicap) last evening.
Fung-A-Fat defeated Taylor Fernandes (plus eight handicap) 15-12, 17-15 on Tuesday evening.
Last year’s runner-up in the Open category, Nicholas Narain who has a minus eight handicap this year defeated Happei Chang (plus 11 handicap) 15-13, 13-15, 16-14 to advance to the second round and was down to face Ashley Khalil (minus three handicap) who defeated Karensa Fernandes (plus 12 handicap) 15-13, 15-13.
Two-time junior Caribbean champion Ben Mekdeci (minus 10 handicap) beat Anya Persaud (plus 12 handicap) 15-12, 16-14 and was down to play Stephen Fernandes (plus seven handicap) last evening.
Stephen Fernandes defeated Wayne Alphonso (plus 12 handicap) 11-15, 16-14, 15-12 in a first round fixture.
Also in winners’ row on Tuesday evening were Daniel Islam (plus 11 handicap) who beat Rohandev Persaud (Plus 13 handicap) 14-16, 15-13, 16-14; Pablo Mundini (plus seven handicap) who defeated Alex Chakes (plus 11 handicap) 15-11, 17-15; Anthony Islam (plus 12) who beat Jamaal Douglas (plus 11) 15-11, 16-14; Anthony Joseph (plus 12) who defeated Stephen Persaud (plus nine) 15-12, 16-14; and Ryan Rahaman (plus six) who beat Ashley DeGroot (plus two) 15-12,15-13.
Also listed to play last evening were Alec Melville versus Joseph, Daniel Islam versus Regan Pollard (minus 16), and Rahaman versus Robin Low.
The tournament will conclude on Saturday.