U.S. masters Natalie Grainger (35+) and Michael Gough (75+) are through to the World Masters semifinals with victories in Tuesday’s quarterfinals at the Hong Kong Squash Center.
Top-seeded Grainger celebrated her thirty-seventh birthday in style with an 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 victory over Singapore’s [5/8] seed Joannah Yue to reach Wednesday’s semifinals. As seeded, Grainger’s semifinal opponent is South African [3/4] seed Farrah Fenner.
Atlanta-based Gough is the other American semifinalist after dispatching English [5/8] seed 11-6, 11-6, 11-6. Top-seeded Welshman Brian Phillips meets Gough in the semis after enduring a five-game quarterfinal.
Both Americans in the Ladies 45+ quarterfinals bowed out against the top two seeds. Top seed and former world No. 1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald eliminated Hope Prockop in three games, while second-seeded Sarah Nelson recovered from losing the first game 17-15 to defeat Wendy Ansdell in four games.
In the Mens 45+, German [5/8] seed defeated American [9/12] seed John Musto 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 to reach the quarterfinals.
Players in consolation draws include Paul Ansdell (45+), Tom Burns (55+), Will Carlin (50+), Ewan Copeland (65+), Dulio Costa (55+), Jen Gabler (50+), Naveen Garg (45+), Richard Hankinson (75+), Deb Hodes (55+), Julie Kessler (45+), Curt Kohlberg (55+), Andre Maur (45+), Ed Montanye (50+), Tom Rumpler (60+), Thomas Seale (55+) and Ken Stillman (65+).
Follow all draws on the World Squash Federation tournament page.
For updates, pictures and more, follow the USA Squashmasters group on Facebook.
