Yannick Wilhelmi reaches quarter-finals of Pittsburgh Open

UNSQUASHABLE player Yannick Wilhelmi reached his maiden quarter-final of a PSA World Tour Silver event following impressive victories over higher ranked players Lucas Serme and Cesar Salazar at the PSA Pittsburgh Squash Open 2024 staged at the Rivers Club, Pittsburgh, USA.

The young unseeded Swiss player overcame fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Lucas Serme of France 13-11 11-9 11-5 on the opening day of the Pittsburgh Squash Open.

In the second round, Yannick Wilhelmi of Switzerland showed remarkable resilience to secure a hard-fought 6-11 10-12 11-9 13-11 14-12 victory over Mexico's Cesar Salazar to advance to the quarter-finals.

Yannick Wilhelmi battled back from the brink of defeat, overcoming match points in both the fourth and fifth games, to eventually triumph in an intense 70 minute 2nd round battle at the Rivers Club in Pittsburgh, USA.

Cesar Salazar asserted his initial early dominance to surge to a 9-5 lead in the opening game by dictating the tempo with precision. However, Yannick Wilhelmi, initially struggling to match his opponent's pace, gradually found his footing, narrowing the gap as the match progressed. Despite a valiant effort from the Swiss player, Cesar Salazar clinched the first game 11-6, courtesy of a decisive back-court boast.

After narrowly losing the second game on a tie-break, the momentum of the match started to shift in the third game, with Yannick Wilhelmi demonstrating greater adaptability and resilience. Despite facing adversity, including a missed opportunity at game ball, he managed to take the game 11-9 with a newfound confidence and determination.

A pivotal moment arrived in the fourth game, with Salazar poised to claim victory as he surged ahead to an 8-5 lead. Yet, undeterred, the young Swiss staged a remarkable comeback, thwarting two match points before seizing control of the game to force a thrilling decider.

The final game unfolded in a tense back-and-forth exchange, with the Mexican initially establishing a commanding 7-1 lead. However, Yannick Wilhelmi refused to capitulate, mounting a spirited resurgence to level the score once more, and in a dramatic climax capitalised on a crucial opportunity, unleashing a decisive drive to secure the match to progress to the quarter-finals, defying the odds and surviving three match points in the process.

Yannick Wilhelmi was eventually denied a place in the semi-finals of the PSA Pittsburgh Squash Open 2024 by 3rd seed Youssef Soliman who triumphed 11-5 11-4 11-8 in 36 minutes.

Todd Harrity was denied a place in the 2nd round by Addeen Idrakie of Malaysia who claimed a marathon 79-minute 11-6 8-11 7-11 11-9 11-9 victory over the American.

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