Iker Pajares Bernabeu beats Rory Stewart in all-UNSQUASHABLE final of 2023 PSA Open International Niort Venise Verte

Iker Pajares Bernabeu overcame fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Rory Stewart 11-6 11-5 11-5 in the final of the Open International Niort Venise Verte to claim his 11th PSA World Tour title.

The top two seeds produced a high-quality and thrilling match in front of an enthusiastic, capacity crowd at the Squash du Marais in Niort, France with the Spanish No.1 eventually triumphing in the closely contested 48-minute final.

Rory Stewart entered the highly anticipated final with the advantage of having received a walkover in the semi-finals due to the withdrawal of Abhay Singh through injury, while the Iker Pajares Bernabeu had to face off against Mazen Gamel in the last four, dispatching the Egyptian in just 36 minutes for the loss of only 12 points.

Drawing inspiration from his dominant semi-final performance, the No.1 seed wasted no time, surging to a 4-0 lead in the opening game. Though Rory Stewart mounted a comeback, narrowing the score to 6-5, the Spanish No.1 and 3-time Spanish Champion regained control to secure the first game 11-6.

The second game followed a similar pattern, with the Spaniard taking an early 4-0 lead, only to see his Scottish rival make a valiant effort to close the gap. However, Iker Pajares Bernabeu once again pulled away, ultimately winning the game 11-5 in 13 minutes.

With victory within his grasp, the Spaniard displayed unwavering composure, quickly establishing a 6-1 lead in the third game, sealing the match shortly thereafter by claiming the game 11-5.

This triumph marks Iker’s 11th title on the PSA Tour and represents his first major victory since 2021 when he triumphed at the RFES Spanish Open Ciudad de Palencia.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
Final:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt [2] Rory Stewart (SCO) 11-6 11-5 11-5 (48m)

"Tonight saw Iker Pajares Bernabeu play Rory Stewart in the final Open Squash International Niort Venise Verte at the at Squash du Marais in Niort, France.

"As a brand owner it makes me incredibly proud to see these two players contest such a final on the PSA World Tour. Both Iker & Rory have been with UNSQUASHABLE for many years & we have supported each other through the good times as well as the challenges of recent years. Both share our values & portrait our brand in such a positive way & I am incredibly grateful for their support & professionalism.

"Behind each player is a team that supports & encourages these players each & every day & I am sure that Barcelona Global Squash (BGS) & Paul Bell & his team at Scottish Squash are as proud of their players as I am.

"There must be a winner, that is the nature as well as the beauty of our sport, but both players contributed to a wonderful tournament & an entertaining final … well played Rory Stewart & congratulations Iker Pajares Bernabeu. More importantly, thank you both for your continued support.

"Thank you to AMT Auto, the UK’s leading vehicle solution provider, who support #teamunsquashable & help players such as Iker & Rory pursue their dreams & passion on the PSA World Tour.

"Finally, thank you to the organisers of the Open Squash International Niort Venise Verte & to Squash du Marais for staging such a great event – special thanks, as always, to Nicolas Barbeau for your coverage & unwavering support."

#teamunsquashble
PAUL WALTERS
UNSQUASHABLE Owner & Chief Executive Officer

Top seed Iker Pajares Bernabeu defeated Mazen Gamal of Egypt 11-4 11-3 11-5 in just 36 minutes to ensure that the final of the Open Squash International Niort Venise Verte will be an all-UNSQUASHABLE affair after Rory Stewart received a walk-over following the withdrawal of Abhay Singh.

World No.21 Iker Pajares Bernabeu will square off against World No.49 Rory Stewart after the top-seeded Spanish progressed with a commanding semi-final performance, dispatching the fifth-seeded Mazen Gamal 11-4 11-3 11-5 victory in a brisk 36-minute contest.

Rory Stewart advanced to the final without lifting a racket in his semi-final encounter. His opponent, Abhay Singh, was forced to withdraw from the event due to an injury sustained during his gruelling five-game battle against Viktor Byrtus in the previous round.

This impending clash between Rory Stewart and Iker Pajares Bernabeu holds added intrigue, as the two players have crossed paths on the PSA World Tour twice before, with each player having emerged victorious once, setting the stage for an enthralling final contest.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
Semi-Finals:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v [5] Mazen Gamal (EGY) 11-4 11-3 11-5 (36m)
[2] Rory Stewart (SCO) v [4] Abhay Singh (IND) w/o

UNSQUASHABLE players Iker Pajares Bernabeu and Rory Stewart have both progressed to the semi-finals of 2023 Squash Open International Niort Venise Verte being staged at Squash du Marais in Niort, France.

Top seed Iker Pajares Bernabeu, the Spanish No.1 and 3-time Spanish Champion, battled for a full 71 minutes to overcome Daniel Poleshchuk of Israel 10-12 11-9 11-8 11-6 and will today play fifth seed Mazen Gamal in the semi-finals.

2nd seed Rory Stewart will play fourth seed Abhay Singh of India in his semi-final after overcoming fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Lwamba Chileshe 11-6 11-6 11-6 in the quarter-finals.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
Semi-Finals:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v [5] Mazen Gamal (EGY)
[2] Rory Stewart (SCO) v [4] Abhay Singh (IND)

The quarter-finals of the Open Squash International Niort Venise Verte No.4 seed Abhay Singh show his resilience in an epic five-game battle against Viktor Byrtus. The clash, lasting a gruelling 60 minutes, included a marathon 19-17 tiebreak in the third game. However, his exertions saw Abhay Singh forced to withdraw from the competition in advance of his semi-final due to a heel injury.

Both Abhay Singh and Viktor Byrtus had navigated their way through four-game encounters in the second round, setting the stage for an intense showdown that would go the distance. Abhay Singh made a lightning-fast start, conceding only a single point in a five-minute victory in the first game. Yet, Viktor Byrtus found his rhythm in the second game, levelling the match by taking the game 11-7.

The pivotal third game's tiebreak alone extended for more than 10 minutes, with Abhay Singh fending off four game balls before capitalising on his fourth opportunity to seize a 2-1 lead. Not to be outdone, Viktor Byrtus responded with a decisive 11-8 win in the fourth game, pushing the contest to its limit.

In the fifth and deciding game, Abhay Singh sprinted to a 5-1 lead that the No.6 seed couldn't recover from, ultimately securing the victory. However, the triumph was bittersweet, as the Indian player's heel injury led to his withdrawal from the tournament. Abhay Singh was set to face No.2 seed Rory Stewart in the semi-finals, but the Scot now advances to the final with a walkover, following his clinical three-game victory over New Zealand's Lwamba Chileshe.

In the top half of the draw, No.1 seed Iker Pajares Bernabeu displayed remarkable tenacity by coming from a game down to defeat Israel's Daniel Poleshchuk in a 72-minute marathon. Iker Pajares Bernabeu conceded the first game 12-10 but progressively found his rhythm, securing the next three games 11-9 11-8 11-6. His victory sets up a semi-final clash against Mazen Gamal, who is vying for a second consecutive PSA World Tour final appearance after finishing as the runner-up in the PSA Gradignan Squash Open last week. Mazen Gamal earned his semi-final spot with a commanding 3-0 win over fellow Egyptian Mohamed Nasser.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
Quarter-Finals:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt [7] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) 10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6 (71m)
[5] Mazen Gamal (EGY) bt [9/16] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 (49m)
[4] Abhay Singh (IND) bt [6] Viktor Byrtus (CZE) 11-1, 7-11, 19-17, 8-11, 11-6 (60m)
[2] Rory Stewart (SCO) bt [9/16] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 (31m)

UNSQUASHABLE players Iker Pajares Bernabeu, Rory Stewart and Lwamba Chileshe have all progressed to the quarter-finals of the Squash Open International Niort Venise Verte at Squash du Marais in Niort, France.

Top seed Iker Pajares Bernabeu overcame Temwa Chileshe 11-2 11-9 11-6 in his 2nd round match, whilst 2nd seed Rory Stewart defeated Darren Pragasam 7-11 11-4 7-11 11-3 11-5 in 51 minutes and Lwamba Chileshe beat 8th seed Edwin Clain 11-7 11-6 11-6 in 40 minutes.

Rory Stewart and Lwamba Chileshe will face each other in the quarter-finals with Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu up against Daniel Poleshchuk of Israel.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
Quarter-Finals:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v [7] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR)
[9/16] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) v [5] Mazen Gamal (EGY)
[4] Abhay Singh (IND) v [6] Viktor Byrtus (CZE)
[2] Rory Stewart (SCO) v [9/16] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL)

The second day of the Squash Open International Niort Venise Verte in France saw its third seed Martin Svec as the most notable casualty with the Czech forced to retire midway through his match against Mohamed Nasser, a development that shook up the competition.

After Martin Svec lost the opening game 11-6, a dramatic second set unfolded, lasting until an intense 18-16 conclusion. The Czech player showed resilience by saving four game balls, to level the match at one game apiece,  however the third game was remarkably brief, lasting less than three-and-a-half minutes, as Svec retired, granting Mohamed Nasser a place in the quarter-finals where he will face Mazen Gamal.

Mazen Gamal overcame Jakub Solnicky in round two with a 57-minute 3-1 victory.

India's fourth-seeded Abhay Singh dashed hopes of a French winner by defeating Toufik Mekhalfi. Toufik Mekhalfi, one of two French players in round two, exited the competition, following the earlier defeat of the eighth-seeded Edwin Clain to New Zealand's Lwamba Chileshe who sailed through the match with a convincing straight game triumph to earn a spot against the second-seeded Rory Stewart.

Rory Stewart faced a tough challenge in round two against Malaysia's Darren Rahul Pragasam, requiring five games to secure a 51 minute 7-11 11-4 7-11 11-3 11-5 victory.

Top seed Iker Pajares Bernabeu encountered no such troubles, triumphing over Temwa Chileshe, the younger brother of Lwamba, with a commanding 11-2 11-9 11-6 win.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
2nd Round:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt [9/16] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) 11-2, 11-9, 11-6 (33m)
[7] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) bt [9/16] James Peach (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-4 (26m)
[5] Mazen Gamal (EGY) bt [9/16] Jakub Solnicky (CZE) 7-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-9 (57m)
[9/16] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) bt [3] Martin Svec (CZE) 11-6, 16-18, 5-4 ret. (49m)
[4] Abhay Singh (IND) bt [9/16] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) 11-9, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7 (47m)
[6] Viktor Byrtus (CZE) bt Miles Jenkins (ENG) 11-3, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 (36m)
[9/16] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt [8] Edwin Clain (FRA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (40m)
[2] Rory Stewart (SCO) bt Darren Pragasam (MAS) 7-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3, 11-5 (51m)

Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu will player fellow UNSQUASHABLE player Temwa Chileshe of the 2nd round of the Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023 after the New Zealander departed wild card Paul Gonzalez 12-10 11-5 9-11 7-11 11-3 in 66 minutes on the opening day at Squash du Marais in Niort, France.

UNSQUASHABLE player Rory Stewart and Lwamba Chileshe will also feature in the 2nd round. Rory Stewart will face Khaled Labib of Egypt after receiving a 1st round bye, whilst Lwamba Chileshe will play 8th seed Edwin Clain of France after defeating Joeri Hapers of Belgium 11-8 11-6 11-8 in 34 minutes on the opening day.

Owain Taylor was denied a place in the 2nd round after losing to Miles Jenkins 11-9 5-11 11-8 11-9 in a tight 69 minute 1st round match.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
2nd Round:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) v [9/16] Temwa Chileshe (NZL)
[7] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) v [9/16] James Peach (ENG)
[5] Mazen Gamal (EGY) v [9/16] Jakub Solnicky (CZE)
[3] Martin Svec (CZE) v [9/16] Mohamed Nasser (EGY)
[4] Abhay Singh (IND) v [9/16] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA)
[6] Viktor Byrtus (CZE) v Miles Jenkins (ENG)
[8] Edwin Clain (FRA) v [9/16] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL)
[2] Rory Stewart (SCO) v Darren Pragasam (MAS)

The opening day of the Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023 witnessed two upsets as England's Miles Jenkins and Malaysia's Darren Pragasam defied the seedings to advance to the second round of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger 20 event.

The initial surprise of the day was orchestrated by Miles Jenkins, who outmanoeuvred Owain Taylor of Wales in a tightly contested four-game battle. Miles Jenkins displayed his resilience after securing the first game 11-9, only to be temporarily halted by a defiant Own Taylor comeback in the second game, which the Welshman won 11-5. Undeterred, Miles Jenkins rallied to clinch the third game 11-8, and then held his nerve to narrowly triumph in the fourth game 11-9 to secure his berth in the next round.

The second upset came courtesy of Darren Pragasam of Malaysia who staged an impressive comeback from a 2-1 deficit to topple Egypt's Khaled Labib 7-11 11-9 7-11 11-9 11-8.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Temwa Chileshe found himself engaged in a gripping five-set encounter against the local wildcard entrant, Paul Gonzalez. Temwa Chileshe initially dominated, claiming the opening game in a tense tiebreak 12-10. He extended his lead convincingly in the second game, winning 11-5. However, a lapse in concentration, coupled with Gonzalez's improved performance, allowed the Frenchman to make a resounding comeback. Paul Gonzalez won the third and fourth games 11-9 and 11-7 respectively. Nevertheless, Temwa Chileshe regrouped in the fifth and decisive game, ultimately emerging victorious in a hard-fought match that spanned 66 minutes.

Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's Open International Niort Venise Verte 2023, Squash du Marais, Niort, France
1st Round:
[1] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bye
[9/16] Temwa Chileshe (NZL) bt [WC] Paul Gonzalez (FRA) 12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-3 (66m)
[9/16] James Peach (ENG) bt Matthew Lai (HKG) 11-8, 6-11, 18-16, 11-3 (48m)
[7] Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) bye
[5] Mazen Gamal (EGY) bye
[9/16] Jakub Solnicky (CZE) bt Elijah Thomas (NZL) 11-8, 15-13, 9-11, 11-5 (57m)
[9/16] Mohamed Nasser (EGY) bt [WC] Laouenan Loaëc (FRA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 (40m)
[3] Martin Svec (CZE) bye
[4] Abhay Singh (IND) bye
[9/16] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA) bt Valentin Rapp (GER) 12-10, 11-8, 11-3 (27m)
Miles Jenkins (ENG) bt [9/16] Owain Taylor (WAL) 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9 (69m)
[6] Viktor Byrtus (CZE) bye
[8] Edwin Clain (FRA) bye
[9/16] Lwamba Chileshe (NZL) bt Joeri Hapers (BEL) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (34m)
Darren Pragasam (MAS) bt [9/16] Khaled Labib (EGY) 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8 (55m)
[2] Rory Stewart (SCO) bye