Todd Harrity produces major upset at PSA Manchester Open

May 19 2023

Todd Harrity produced another impressive performance at the PSA Manchester Open, following his 1st round win over Ramit Tandon, to push Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt in a tightly contested 2nd round match before eventually being denied 11-9 11-9 11-9 by the inform former World Champion who last week reached the final of the PSA World Championships in Chicago.

The American looked the sharper of the two players early in the match to take an 8-4 lead in the first game after several tight, accurate drives. Gawad, however, soon began to feel his way into the game to eventually win it 11-9.

The Egyptian was pushed hard again in the second game, with Todd able to stay within touching distance throughout. At 9-9, however, Gawad was able to get the momentum he needed to extend his lead with a second consecutive 11-9 win.

Todd was unable to prevent Gawad from taking a lead in the third game, however after claiming four match balls at 10-6, it was Harrity who was playing with greater freedom & looked the more clinical to increase the pressure on his opponent.

The 32-year-old Egyptian, however, wasn’t to be denied & was able to eventually close-out the match after forcing Todd to scramble desperately around the court before finishing with a volley that was just out of reach as the American charged towards the back.

“It feels good to be back on court,” said Gawad after his 2nd round win. “Todd played very well today. He dominated most of the match, but I was the one trying to get back in the scoreline, he was leading for a lot & I managed to come back. He played good squash today; I was looking forward to it & I’m happy to get through.

In the 1st round, the four-time USA Champion produced a near faultless performance from Todd Harrity saw the American beat Ramit Tandon of India 11-4 11-5 11-4 in just 28 minutes. Harnessing great precision with subtle changes of pace saw the American move his rival to all four corners of the court to test the movement & earn a straight games victory. After winning the opening game comfortably 11-4, Todd doubled his advantage with an 11-5 win in the second & continued to dominate rallies to progress into the 2nd round where he will face Karim Abdel Gawad of Egypt, who last week reached the final of the PSA World Championships in Chicago.

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Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Open 2023
National Squash Centre, Manchester, England
2nd Round Results:
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 5-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9 (50m)
[8] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Todd Harrity (USA) 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (35m)

1st Round Results:
Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-8 (59m)

Todd Harrity (USA) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (28m)
Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt George Parker (ENG) 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3 (46m)
Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Lucas Serme (FRA) 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 (40m)

This year’s PSA Manchester Open gets underway today & features UNSQUASHABLE players George Parker, Iker Pajares Bernabeu, Todd Harrity & Lucas Serme.

George Parker will take on fellow Englishman Patrick Rooney in arguably the standout match of the opening day. Spanish No.1 Iker Pajares Bernabeu will face Gregoire Marche of France, whilst 4-time US Champion Todd Harrity & 2-time French Champion Lucas Serme will face Ramit Tandon of India & Greg Lobban of Scotland in their respective 1st round matches.

The 2023 Manchester Open takes place at the National Squash Centre from the 17th to 21st May & will feature not one, but two all-glass courts.

FREE coverage of the opening day matches will be shown live on www.manchesteropensquash.com with the later rounds & finals streamed live on SQUASHTV.

Iker Pajares Bernabeu, George Parker, Todd Harrity & Lucas Serme will all compete in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Manchester Squash Open to be staged at the National Squash Centre in Manchester, England from the 17th to 21st May.

Iker Pajares Bernabeu vs Gregoire Marche
George Parker vs Patrick Rooney
Todd Harrity vs Ramit Tandon
Lucas Serme vs Greg Lobban