World junior squash champion, Rowan Damming, from the Netherlands, and Andreas Herrera, the 158th-ranked Colombian ace, advanced to the semifinal round of the Professional Squash Association (PSA)-sponsored Professional Squash Tournament at the Queen's Park Cricket Club's (QPCC) Racquet Centre in St Clair, Port-of-Spain on Thursday, following contrasting victories.
The Netherlands' 205th-ranked player, continued from his triumph over Germany's Jan Wipperfurth in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, by defeating New Zealand's 244th-ranked Anthony Lepper in a close contest 3-2 (8-11, 13-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-4).
Herrera, on the other hand, the man who came into the tournament as the highest-ranked player, battled to a 3-1 win over Carlos Vargos of Mexico (11-3, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4) for his semifinal berth. The victories mean that the tournament final could be shaping up for a battle between the tournament's highest rank and its world junior champion this evening.
The two were joined by Maceo Levy, the French superstar who got the better of Cory Mc Cartney of Canada (WR 204) three games to one.
Ranked 265th in the world, the Frenchman came from a set down, to secure his place in the round of four (7-11, 13-11, 11-3, 11-3).
Elijah Thomas of New Zealand also advanced to the semifinal round of the tournament when he cruised to a 3-0 triumph over England's 251st-ranked Noah Meredith.
Results
Damming bt Lepper 3-2 (8-11,13-11, 14-12, 4-11, 11-4)
Thomas bt Meredith 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-9)
Herrera bt Vargas 3-1 (11-3, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4)
Levy bt McCartney 3-1 (7-11, 13-11, 11-3, 11-3)
