Guyana’s hopes for gold at senior squash championship dashed

Guyana’s hopes of securing a gold medal at the Caribbean Senior Squash Championship were extinguished yesterday as Ashley Khalil, Mary Fung-A-Fat and Sunil Seth suffered semi-final loses in Trinidad and Tobago.

Fung-A-Fat went down to Barbadian Karen Meakins 4-11, 8-11, 8-11. Khalil lost to Meagan Best of Barbados 7-11, 5-11, 5-11. The two Guyanese will face off in the third place playoff.

Meanwhile, Seth went down to arch-rival Chris Binnie of Jamaica. With the defeat, Seth will oppose the loser of Jamaica’s Lewis Walters’ and Cayman Islands’ Cameron Stafford’s semi-final matchup.

In the earlier quarterfinal section, Seth overcame Jules Snagg of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in straight sets 11-9, 11- 7, 11-8.

Meanwhile, Khalil earned her place in the final four section after defeating fellow Guyanese Taylor Fernandes 11-7, 11-7, 11-9. Best secured her berth after brushing side Larissa Wiltshire 11-6,11- 5,11-4.

Fung-A-Fat had set up a date with Meakins in the semi-final round following her win over Amanda Haywood of Barbados  11-5,11- 6,11-7. Meakins clinched her place in the semi-final after defeating Akeila Wiltshire 11-7, 11- 4,11-4.

In the earlier Men’s Round of 16 section, Seth brushed aside Patrick Foster of Bermuda 11-8,11- 4,16-14 while Jason-Ray Khalil lost to Kristen Johnson of Bermuda 11-4, 11-3, 11-7.

Prior to the Round of 16 Stage, Jason-Ray Khalil defeated Dane Schwier of Jamaica 11-3,7- 11,7-11,11- 4,11-7 while Seth crushed Jason Doyle of the OECS 11-8,12- 10,11-7 and Nyron Joseph lost to Trinidad and Tobago native Kale Wilson 6-11,11- 4,11-7,11- 6 in the second round.

In opening round of the Men’s Division, Ben Mekdeci lost to Barbadian Rhett Cumberbatch 4/11,8/11,4/11 while Joseph crushed Don Benn of Barbados 11-7,3- 11,11-8,11- 5.

On the women’s side and following a bye to the second round, Khalil defeated Rae Stollmeyer of Barbados 11-2,11- 6,11-4. Also the recipient of a bye to the second round, Fung-A-Fat thrashed Alexandria Yearwood of Trinidad and Tobago 11-5,11- 2,11-5.

In the other results of the second round, Akelia Wiltshire defeated Barbadian Andrea Goodridge 11-5,11- 1,11-5 while Larissa Wiltshire downed Zoe Sorrentino of OECS 11-6,11- 4,11-5, Taylor Fernandes defeated Trinidadian Faith Gillezeau 11-3,11- 8,11-6 and Victoria Arjoon went down to Barbadian Amanda Haywood 11-4,11- 1,9-11,11- 3.

The opening round of the Women’s Draw witnessed Akelia Wiltshire defeating Chaise Daniel of Barbados 11-6,11- 3,11-4 while Larissa Wiltshire bested Meagan Jackson of Bermuda 11-1,11- 2,11-3, Fernandes defeated Bermudian Jane Chapman 11-6,11- 4,11-1 and Arjoon defeated Grace Edy of Bermuda 11-4,11- 7,11-1.

In the Men’s Plate section, Bermudian Anthony Fellows defeated Mekdeci 12-10 11-4 11-3 in the quarterfinal round.

In the Opening Round of the Plate division, Mekdeci defeated Jamaican Jonathan Walker 11-4, 8-10,12- 10,11-7 while Kevin Bailey of OECS defeated Joseph 11-6,11- 5,11-6. Action in the event is slated to resume today.