09-Aug, Finals:
Teran and Rodriguez
take the titles in Bogota

The two best players in Latin American history won the Colombian Open. Samantha Teran won the WSA and Miguel Angel Rodriguez the PSA.

Both have been the stars of the highest squash level in Latin American in the last decades and the Colombian Open crowned them today in the peak of their careers and with the constant cheer of the crowd who packed the courts 5 and 6 in El Nogal Club.

[2] Samantha Teran 3-0 [1] Victoria Lust
                            11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (42m)

With her natural consistency in the back of the court and with precise shots to the front with boasts, the Mexican Samantha Teran always concentrated won the first game.

In the second game she started committing unforced errors yet in the middle of the game she found once again her firmness to pressure and tied a 0-3 score.

Faithful to the style showed in the tournament, the English pressured with lengths to attack with drops from the back, but Teran always active neutralized her intentions.

In the third game a more precise English took the lead 7-4, but once again Teran focused and tied the score in an intense match that was accompanied with disagreements with the referee’s calls.

Miguel Angel Rodríguez (Col) 3-1 Omar Mossad (Egy)
                             9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-1 (63m)

The opening rally of more than 50 hits reflected what the match was going to be like. The first game was tight, but Omar Mossad was more consistent to close the game after 23 minutes.

The second game was full of rhythm changes because it was strategic, with nothing left to chance and with a clear objective. Miguel Rodriguez started to define better with more precision and added points.

In the third game with a series of successive winning shots Rodriguez played secure and effective with his drops adding 6-1. Mossad woke up and pressured to tie the score 6-6 but Rodriguez adjusted his shots and conquered the advantage.

In the fourth game, after the long demand of the previous games (57 minutes) Mossad had unforced errors allowing Rodriguez to conquer his third title in Bogota - his 25th and biggest ever PSA title.

“This is the most important tournament of my career. Achieving this in my city and the people who love me and support me means a great satisfaction. Today I feel it is the happiest day of my life.”

“After my injury I thought it would be impossible to return to the level. Today I am happy because I won a tournament after a long recovery and do it in a city and a country that I consider my second home. I feel very happy.”

11-8, 11-6, 11-5 (33m)

[3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez

 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-1 (63m)

[2] Omar Mosaad

11-4, 7-11, 6-11,
11-5, 11-7 (67m)

[2] Omar Mosaad

05-Aug, Qualifying Finals                                  

Chris Gordon (Usa) 3-0 Nicolas Caballero (Par)                      11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (34m)
Muhd Asyraf Azan (Mas) 3-1 Alfonso Marroquin (Col) 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 14-12 (39m)
Jonathan Maloney (Eng) 3-0 Anderson Cardona (Col)            11-7, 11-4, 11-4 (20m)
Raphael Kandra (Ger) 3-0  Javier Castilla (Col)                    11-7, 11-4, 11-4 (24m)

04-Aug, Qualifying Round One  

Chris Gordon (Usa)   bye
Nicolas Caballero (Par) 3-2 Sean Conroy (Irl)       8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 11-5 (41m)
Alfonso Marroquin (Col) 3-0 Victor Garcia (Mex)                   12-10, 11-8, 11-5 (21m)
Muhd Asyraf Azan (Mas) 3-1 Rodrigo Torres (Col)          11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7 (35m)
Anderson Cardona (Col) 3-1 Joe Chapman (Bvi)      12-14, 13-11, 11-8, 12-10 (68m)
Jonathan Maloney (Eng) 3-0 Felipe Tovar (Col)                      11-8, 11-7, 11-6 (20m)
Javier Castilla (Col) 3-1 Fred Reid (Can)                      4-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-4 (33m)
Raphael Kandra (Ger) 3-1 Erick Herrera (Col)              11-4, 11-2, 9-11, 11-6 (34m)

11-4, 11-7, 11-6 (27m)

[3] Coline Aumard

11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (42m)

[2] Samantha Teran

 11-3, 11-5, 11-4 (23m)

[2] Samantha Teran

05-Aug, Qualifying:

Sophia Giraldo (Col) 3-1 Maria Avellaneda (Col)     11-3, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8 (31m)
Nayibe Flautero (Col) 3-0 Maria Paula Galleos (Col)        11-5, 11-4, 11-3 (18m)
Maria Paula Tovar (Col) bt Andrea Soria (Ecu)              w, o
Carol Gonzalez (Col) 3-0 Tatiana Benavides (Col)       12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (22m)

Home favourite Miguel Rodriguez moved into his fifth Colombian Open final with a straight-games win over top seed Simon Rosner at Club El Nogal in Bogota.
There he'll meet second seed Omar Mosaad, who, for the second time in three matches, needed all five games to overcome a fellow Egyptian, this time Marwan Elshorbagy.

The $15k women's final will be contested by the top two seeds Victoria Lust and Samantha Teran, who both won in straight games, against Coline Aumard and Catalina Pelaez.

Juan Carlos Santacruz reports

The Colombian MiguelRodriguez will play his fifth final in Bogota, while the Mexican Samantha Teran reaches her first WSA final after her comeback from her injury.

Samantha Terán (Mex) 3-0 Catalina Peláez (Col)

Gaining more rhythm, the Mexican showed that her path to her highest level is firm. It took 3 consecutive games to turn off the Colombians enthusiasm, who is spite of her wear out played with disposition the semifinal. Terans deep and persistent game mined the Colombians physical strength.

Omar Mossad (Egy) 3-2 Marwan Elshorbagy (Egy)

Solid and consistent in the first game without in alteration, Mossad anticipated and with balls to the back gained partial advantage, yet in the following two games, El Shorbagy played strong decisive lengths and cross courts near the out and drops that pressured Mossad who made a unsuccessful effort to pick up the shots from the nick.

Nonetheless Mossad regained focus with his volleys and forced a fifth game. In the end, both players committed unforced errors yet El Shorbagys anxiety helped Mossad reach his second final in Bogota.

Victoria Lust (Eng) 3-0 Coline Aumard (Fra)

With a great physical capacity to anticipate, the English Lust won the first game against the French who seemed anxious and erratic. In the second game, Coline changed her strategy yet couldn’t win against Lusts solidness. In the third game, Aumard threatened with more rhythm yet it wasn’t enough to defeat the English player.

Miguel Angel Rodríguez (Col) 3-0 Simon Rosner (Ger)

Working the rallies with patience and searching for the right moment to attack, the Colombian Rodriguez won the first game after 15 intense minutes in a tight match. In the second game the German played anxious due to the first game challenge and committed many unforced errors allowing the Colombian to add 2-0-.
In the third game, the German focused in not making unforced errors and push the Colombian to the back gaining a 4-1 advantage, nonetheless the Colombian found his precision and control to tie the score. He frustrated the German with his game and won the match to reach his fifth final in Bogota.
 

The top four seeds - including Colombia's Miguel Rodriguez - will contest the men's semis in Bogota, while the top three women's seeds are joined by Colombian Catalina Pelaez.

Rodriguez, the third seed, beat Omar Abdel Meduid in straight games to set up a meeting with top seed Simon Rosner, who needed all five games to beat Mazen Hesham,

Better news for Egypt in the bottom half as Omar Mossaad and Marwan Elshorbagy advanced to the semis, both in straight games.

In the women's draw Pelaez produced a second successive seeding upset as she beat Sarah Cardwell in straight games to set up a meeting with second seed Samantha Teran.

In the top half of the draw Victoria Lust meets Coline Aumard.

Quarter-final match reports

Coline Aumard (FRA) 3-0 Nikki Todd (CAN)

The strength to pressure with cross courts and precise counter drops showed the French’s best moment while Todd seemed out of focus. The Canadian managed to get into pace in the third game and added points with successive winning shots.

Nikki found her positive energy in court and forced a fifth game. The mental strength of Coline resisted continuous nicks and with a precise serve she gave the match a vibrant finish and passed to the semifinals.

Catalina Pelaez (COL) 3-0 Sarah Cardwell (AUS)

Motivated by the crowd, the Colombian found in the first game the way to start winning with winning shots instead of unforced errors. Meanwhile the Australian was erratic and was pressured by Catalina’s volleys losing the second game with surprise cross court drops.

The 2-0 cheered the crowd. In the third game the Colombia remained consistent and firm in her winning shots and advanced to the semifinal.

Samantha Teran (MEX) 3-0 Sina Wall (GER)

The Mexican played with solidity and strength her second match where she was more accustomed to the court. With accurate two side boasts and strong cross courts the right side corner started to wear out the German who was more imprecise and committed unforced errors due to the Mexicans pressure.

Victoria Lust (ENG) 3-0 Thaisa Serafini (BRA)

The English who started the first game playing imprecise gave in to the initiative of the Brazilian Serafini, yet gained confidence and forced a tie break taking the lead. In the second game and third game Lust pressured in the back and with precise drops to win.

Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-0 (8] Henrik Mustonen (FIN)

With consistency, defining the rallies in the opportune time and using his lethal cross court from the drive and back hand, always near the tin; the Egyptian Mossad frustrated of the aspirations of the Finnish player (23) who in spite of his positive attitude couldn’t defeat the concentration and focus of the Egyptian.

Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-0 Nicolas Mueller (SUI)

The Egyptian El Shorbagy was firm in his volleys and definition in his second year in the Colombian Open, and took the advantage of the first game that solidified him in court. The 21 year old Egyptian and No.20 in the world played exceptionally, focused and with amazing shots that fascinated the crowd in Bogota.

Miguel Rodríguez (Col) 3-0 Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)

The Egyptian proposed a slower pace that continuously decreased the rhythm taking his time between rallies, but this strategy wasn’t enough to stop the Colombian who maintained his mental strength to win the first game in the tie break after unforced errors by Meguid.

In the second game, the winning shots allowed the Colombian to keep on adding points followed by unforced errors from the Egyptian who seemed anxious. In the final game, the Egyptian continued to decrease the pace but the Colombian kept his focus and cheered by the crowd conquered the semifinal.

Simon Rösner (GER) 3-2 Mazen Hesham (EGY)

With an outstanding ability to define with cross court drops Hesham started winning the first game. In the second game Rosner became strong in the back and forced unforced errors from the Egyptian taking the lead 2-1.

Yet in the fourth game the Egyptians ability, rapidness and definition predominated on court once again to tie the match 2-2. In the final game, Hesham seemed tired from the effort and started attacking constantly yet he was erratic allowing the German to pass to the semifinals.

New courts in Bogota

Round One Match Reports
from Juan Carlos Santacruz

The Colombians Catalina Pelaez and Miguel Angel Rodriguez advanced to the second round in their main draws of WSA and PSA respectively. They won their matches by 3-1 and tomorrow will play the quarterfinal of the Colombian Open in El Nogal Club.

Nikki Todd, CAN 3-2 Ivonne Diaz, MEX
After losing the first game, the Canadian Todd entered more relaxed and put her rhythm into the game adding two games. In the fourth game the Mexican played with courage and tied the match. The Canadian played more solid and defined the match leveraging on Diaz’s anxiety.

Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 3-0 Cesar Salazar (MEX)
Rodriguez was erratic in the first game, yet for the second he played with a tight and attacking game generating frustration from the Mexican who had many unforced errors in the third and fourth game.

Catalina Pelaez (Col) 3-1 Hollie Naughton (Can)
More consistent and cheered on by the audience the 22 year old Colombian managed to break the 1 all parity when she added her dynamic and rhythm to the match that was very tied against the 19 year old Canadian.

Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-0 Jaymie Haycocks (ENG)
The Egyptian El Shorbagy played with consistency and summed with strong back hand cross courts and tight drops in the first games. The third game was more tied, but El Shorbagy pressured in the end and attacked constantly to close the match in 3 games.

Coline Aumard, FRA 3-0 Nayibe Flautero (COL)
The more experienced French Aumard imposed her condition and in consecutive games defeated the Colombian who played with passion.

Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 3-1 Raphael Kandra (GER) 
In a disputed game, the Egyptian Meguid won after constant contact and long rallies. Meguid imposed his size in court and with an exceptional precision with his drop shots. It was an excellent presentation by the German qualifier.

Sarah Cardwell, AUS 3-0 Camila Avellaneda (Col) 
The 22 year old Australian started to build up confidence and security in court after a doubtful start and closed the match in 3 consecutive games against the junior 18 year old Colombian player.

Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 3-1 Chris Gordon (USA)
With deep rallies, well played and defined in the precise moment with winning drop shots and with great solidity in the counter attack, the Swiss Muller defeated the resistance of the American Gordon who is in the best moment of his career.

Sina Wall (GER) 3-1 Antonella Falcione (ARG)
The German Wall was the great revelation in the main draw opening. With great solidity in her swing and rhythm in her game she was able to win the first two games. Yet the Argentinean proposed a game to the back and with her courage won 1 game. However in the fourth game, the constant unforced errors of the Argentinean ended the match.

Mazen Hesham (EGY) 3-0 Alejandro Cardona (COL)
The 21 year old Colombian Cardona who received the wild card by the organizing club, couldn’t find the way to defeat the 20 year old Egyptian who demonstrated his country’s traditional game: secure in attack and with great strength in physical endurance.

Thaisa Serafini, BRA 3-0 Karol Gonzalez (COL)
The Brazilian played firmly in her attack and varied her game from the back with precision in the front frustrating the aspirations of the 25 year old player from Santander, Karol Gonzalez.

Henrik Mustonen (FIN)  3-0 [Q) Jonathan Maloney (ENG)
The precision under which the Finnish played in his anticipation generated unforced errors from the English qualifier. It was a great tournament for Maloney who is playing for the first time in a 5 star draw. Mustonen has come to Colombia in the last 3 years showing his growth as a player.

Samantha Teran (MEX) 3-1 Belen Etchechouri (ARG)
 The Mexican Teran started to build confidence in court after losing the second game, yet played more relaxed and attacked with precision.

Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-2 Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
Both Egyptians played a very technical match. The first game was won by Mossad but soon after, Abouelghar sharpened his attack and precision to add with clarity two games. The fourth game was filled with successive rallies that were closed with exceptional winning shots and Mossad forced a fifth game.

Simon Rösner (GER) 3-0 Mudh Asyraf Azan (MAL)
A tired Azan couldn’t propose a winning strategy against the German Rosner No.1 seed of the tournament who only needed 3 games to advance to the second round and consolidate his favoritism.

Victoria Lust (ENG) 3-0 Maria Paula Tovar (COL)
The experience of the No. 1 seed of the tournament was clear against the junior Colombian player (16) who made her debut in a main draw.