A heated encounter between Jason Ray Khalil and Steven Xavier highlighted Tuesday’s opening night of the 12th Woodpecker Products Junior National Squash Tournament which got underway at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street.
In an exciting four-set match, Xavier to the surprise of the spectators and probably himself took the first set 11 – 6, displaying in the process his improved form.
However, the ultimate win would go to Khalil, who re-asserted his dominance over his opponent by winning the next three sets.
Xavier had kept up the pressure in the second set taking the score to 9-9 before Khalil edged home 11-9.
Khalil polished off the match by winning the next two sets 11 – 3, 11 – 7.
Khalil made it two wins on the night when he scored a 11- 1, 11-8, 11-4 win over Nyron Joseph.
Not to be outdone Khalil’s sister, Ashley, followed her brother into winner’s row by scoring a 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 win over Ashley DeGroot.
Also registering double victories on the night were Victoria Arjoon who defeated Gabrielle Fraser (11-2 11 – 5, 11-4) and Alysa Xavier (11-2, 11-1, 11-7) and Patrick Fraser, who defeated Shomari Wiltshire 11-2, 11-0, 13-11 and Andrew Peroune 12-10, 11-8, 11-8.
On Thursday Jason-Ray Khalil added another two wins in the tournament defeating Pablo Mundini (11 – 4, 11-1, 11-2) and Joven Benn (15-13, 11-2, 11-2) while Ashley Khalil won against Arjoon, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 on Wednesday and Larissa Wiltshire 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 the following day.
Patrick Fraser gained two more wins against Alec Melvile (11-8, 11-4, 11-7) and Alex Cheeks (11-8, 11-5, 11-2).
Also gaining momentum in the tournament is Deje Dias who has already secured wins against Joven Benn (11-6, 11-3, 11-3) and Xavier on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Full results for all matches played thus far are as follows:
Tuesday
Victoria Arjoon defeated Gabrielle Fraser 11-2 11-5 11-4; Nyron Joseph defeated Alec Melvile 11-0 11-1 11-6; Patrick Fraser defeated Shomari Wiltshire 11-2 11-0 13-11; Ben Mekdeci defeated Matthew Phang 11-1 11- 2 11-4; Alex Cheeks defeated Travis Whitehead 11-4 11-6 11-6; Victoria Arjoon defeated Alysa Xavier 11-2 11-1 11-7; Patrick Fraser defeated Andrew Peroune 12-10 11-8 11-8; Ashley Khalil defeated Ashley DeGroot 11-2 11-8 11-5; Jason-Ray Khalil defeated Nyron Joseph 11-1 11-8 11-4; Jason-Ray Khalil defeated Steven Xavier 6-11 11-9 11-3 11-7.
Wednesday
Mattew Phang defeated Travis Whitehead 8-11 11-9 11-3 11- 8; Ben Mekdeci defeated Shomari Wiltshire 11- 6 11 – 4 11-3; Larissa Wiltshire defeated Famke Van Dijk 11-2 11-1 11-4; Nyron Joseph defeated Ben Mekdeci 13-11 11-8 11-5; Ashley Khalil defeated Victoria Arjoon 11-6 11-8 11-5; Deje Dias defeated Joven Benn 11-6 11-3 11-3; Steven Xavier defeated Pablio Mundini 11-1 11-1 11-1;Patrick Fraser defeated Alec Melvile 11-8 11- 4 11-7; Patrick Fraser defeated Alex Cheeks 11-8 11-5 11-2; Gabrielle Fraser defeated Taylor Fernandes 8-11 11-4 11-7 11-7.
Thursday
Jason-Ray Khalil defeated Joven Benn 15-13 11-2 11-2;
Victoria Arjoon defeated Larissa Wiltshire 11-6 11-3 11-2;Akeila Wiltshire defeated Taylor Fernandes 11-5 11-1 11-4; Ben Mekdeci defeated Andrew Peroune 11-3 11-5 11-5; Deje Dias defeated Steven Xavier 11-7 11-5 11-9;Nyron Joseph defeat Joven Benn 11-5 12-10 11-6
Jason-Ray Khalil defeat Pablio Mundini 11 – 4 11-1 11-2;Taylor Fernandes defeat Savannah Mendes 11-1 11-2 11-3;Nyron Joseph defeat Patrick Fraser 11-1 11-1 11-3.
