Lwamba Chileshe reaches final of PSA Harcourts KDRE Morrinsville Open

June 25 2023

Lwamba Chileshe reaches final of PSA Harcourts KDRE Morrinsville Open
Lwamba Chileshe reached the final of the PSA Harcourts KDRE Morrinsville Squash Open in New Zealand, but was denied successfully defending his PSA World Tour title by Dutch No.1 Rowan Damming.

The top seed & defending champion defeated Jack Hudson of Australia 3-11 11-5 11-5 11-4 in his 1st round match, which he followed-up with equally hard-fought victories against fellow New Zealanders Joel Arscott & Anthony Lepper in the quarter-finals & semi-finals respectively - defeated Joel Arscott 3-11 11-5 11-5 11-4 in 48 minutes before overcoming Anthony Lepper 11-13 7-11 11-3 11-9 11-7 in 82 minutes.

Despite another spirited performance in the final, Lwamba was beaten in straight games by the reigning World Junior Champion from Holland.

Rowan Damming also got the better of 2nd seed Temwa Chileshe in semi-finals. After losing the opening game of their contest 12-10, the young Dutchman fought back to win the next three games, to move through to the final with a 63-minute 10-12 11-8 11-4 11-7 victory.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Harcourts KDRE Morrinsville Squash Open, New Zealand.
Final:
[3] Rowan Damming (NED) bt [1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 (42m)

Semi-Finals:
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt [4] Anthony Lepper (NZL) 11-13, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7 (82m)
[3] Rowan Damming (NED) bt [2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) 10-12, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7 (63m)

Quarter Finals:
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt [6] Joel Arscott (NZL) 3-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (48m)
[4] Anthony Lepper (NZL) bt [7] William Donnelly (NZL) 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-7 (60m)
[3] Rowan Damming (NED) bt [5] Elijah Thomas (NZL) 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 (45m)
[2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt [8] Mason Smales (NZL) 11-6, 8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6 (84m)

1st Round:
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt Jack Hudson (AUS) 3-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (63m)
[6] Joel Arscott (NZL) bt Benjamin Ratcliffe (AUS) 11-9, 11-7, 11-3 (62m)
[7] William Donnelly (NZL) bt Glenn Templeton (NZL) 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 (24m)
[4] Anthony Lepper (NZL) bt [WC] Apa Fatialofa (NZL) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 (39m)
[3] Rowan Damming (NED) bt Oliver Dunbar (NZL) 11-4, 11-6, 11-8 (39m)
[5] Elijah Thomas (NZL) bt Tate Zak Norris (AUS) 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (39m)
[8] Mason Smales (NZL) bt Jamie Pattison (AUS) 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 (29m)
[2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt Wilson Chan (HKG) 11-3, 11-2, 11-4 (29m)

Lwamba Chileshe, top seed and defending champion, will be looking to retain his PSA Harcourts KDRE Morrinsville Squash Open title at the Morrinsville Squash Club in New Zealand.

Younger brother, and fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Temwa Chileshe, whom Lwamba defeated in last year's final, will be the second seed in the PSA Challenger 5 World Tour event.

The event will feature Dutchman Rowan Damming, the reigning World Junior Champion, as the sole non-New Zealander in the seeded players. With an Australian and Kiwi-dominated lineup, the tournament will witness the participation of players from Hong Kong and Australia as well.

Taking place from June 22 to June 25 at the Morrinsville Squash Club, the event promises exciting action.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Harcourts KDRE Morrinsville Squash Open, New Zealand.
1st Round Draw:
[1] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) v Jack Hudson (AUS)
Benjamin Ratcliffe (AUS) v [6] Joel Arscott (NZL)
[7] William Donnelly (NZL) v Glenn Templeton (NZL)
[WC] Apa Fatialofa (NZL) v [4] Anthony Lepper (NZL)
[3] Rowan Damming (NED) v Oliver Dunbar (NZL)
Tate Zak Norris (AUS) v [5] Elijah Thomas (NZL)
[8] Mason Smales (NZL) v Jamie Pattison (AUS)
Wilson Chan (HKG) v [2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL)