Top seeds sail into semis of Senior Squash Champs
The top seeds in both the men and ladies main draws have stormed into the semi-finals of the 2018 BCIC All Jamaica Senior Squash Championships, which are currently underway at the Liguanea Club in Kingston.
Going for his eighth career title, defending champion Chris Binnie took down 13-time champion Wayne Burrowes 11/3, 11/5, 11/4 to remain on track to retain the crown.
Similarly, former champion and number four seed Dane Schwier defeated Andre Wright 11/2, 11/1, 11/7 to continue his quest to retake the coveted trophy.
Former junior champion and third seed Tahjia Lumley put all of the senior players on notice when he schooled Allan Roper 11/1, 11/2, 11/0. At the same time, the number two seed Bruce Burrowes comfortably defeated Jordan Dawson 11/2, 11/5, 11/4.
The Ladies draw delivered a thrilling surprise when junior national team player Mia Lake toppled last year’s runner-up Alex Jordan in an exciting five-setter. The youngster outplayed her more experienced opponent to post an 11/7, 5/11, 11/13 8/11, 11/5 win and book her spot in the semi-finals.
In the same vein, All Jamaica Under-17 champion Mia Mahfood beat Nathlee Boreland 11/7, 11/4, 11/6 to remain in contention for her first senior national title.
Predictably, tournament favourites and former Junior Caribbean champions Akelia and Larissa Wiltshire of Guyana both advanced to the semi-finals, with Akelia beating Mia Todd 11/3, 11/3, 11/6 and Larissa receiving a walkover when her opponent Minett Lawrence withdrew from the tournament.
The pace of the competition is expected to accelerate as the top players clash in the semi-finals which were due to be held yesterday. Binnie was set to face off with Schwier, while Lumley was down to go head-to-head with Burrowes.
In the ladies draw, Mahfood was down to Goup against Larissa Wiltshire, while Lake and Akelia Wiltshire were to have crossed swords.