WJC Day 1 Update - Seven Aussies into Round of 64

Dylan Classen became the first Australian to taste victory on day one of the 2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championships in Melbourne with three-game takedown of Chinese Taipei’s Yi-An Pan.

The West Australian was never headed en route to a 3-0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-5) win and was thrilled to hear he had clinched the first win of the tournament for his country.

“That feels really good, happy to lead the way for the Australian team,” said Classen. “I was pretty nervous before my match so it feels good to get the win in the first round.”

Classen is looking forward to this afternoon’s showdown with Malaysia’s Low Wa-Sern which will once again take place on Court 3.

“I like the courts, I’m enjoying the bounce and enjoying the feel of them and this is probably one of my favourite courts to play on at the moment.”

Western Australia’s Oscar Curtis provided the most dominant display of the morning, with a comprehensive takedown of Macau’s Keng In Leong. The Australian No.1 junior dropped one point in the first game in an otherwise perfect display which has set him up for the afternoon’s second round.

“It was good, I stayed solid even though the intensity was off, I kept to my own business, I just kept at it,” said Curtis. “It means everything to play for your country, but especially when it’s back at home. It’s good to have the crowd on your side.”

Hannah Slyth and Shona Coxsedge both moved into the second round of the women’s draw, but did it in entirely different fashion.

Queenslander Coxsedge was forced to go the distance in the first game but then dropped just five points on her way to victory, while WA’s Hannah Slyth sent the home crowd into raptures when she claimed a five-game marathon on the glass court. 

Victorian’s Harvey Allan and Connor Hayes both fought back from two games down to force a fourth set against their opponents however neither was able to advance to the second round.

Luhann Groenewald (RSA) was too strong for Ken Lamb (NSW) in a round one win, while Sydney’s Thomas Scott was unable to overcome Scotland’s Rory Richmond who took control after grabbing the edge in two long-lasting opening games.

Courtney Scholtz (VIC) was the final Australian on court in the opening session but was unable to outlast her Irish opponent who progressed in five games.

Round two matches set to take place this afternoon featuring local hopes are as follows (times are approximate:
4:15pm Dylan Classen (WA) v Low Wa-Sern (MAS) - Court 5
4:50pm Oscar Curtis (WA) v Jack O’Flynn (IRE) - Court 9 | Live stream available
5:25pm Erin Classen (WA) v Ocean Ma (CAN) - Court 8
6:00pm Madison Lyon (QLD) v Anrie Goh Chu Yu (MAS) - Glass Court | Live stream available
6:35pm Amelie Guziak (VIC) v Sonya Sasson (USA) - Court 9 | Live stream available
6:35pm Shona Coxsedge (QLD) v [9/16] Amelie Hawroth (ENG) - Court 4
7:10pm Hannah Slyth (WA) v [2] Fayrouz Abouelkheir [2] - Glass Court | Live stream available

2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championships
Day 1 - Tuesday 18 July 2023
Australian Team - First Round Results
Luhann Groenewald (RSA) d Ken Lamb (NSW) 3-0 (11-2, 11-3, 11-3)
Dylan Classen (WA) d Yi-An Pan (TPE) 3-0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-5)
Arthur Pak Ki Law (HKG) v Harvey Allan (VIC) 3-1 (11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8)
Nickhileswar Moganasundharam (MAS) d Connor Hayes (VIC) 3-1 (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3)
Oscar Curtis (WA) d Keng In Leong (MAC) 3-0 (11-1, 11-0, 11-0)
Rory Richmond (SCO) d Thomas Scott (NSW) 3-0 (13-11, 16-14, 11-3)
Hannah Slyth (WA) 2 Louisa Kaven (SCO) 3-2 (9-11, 11-4, 12-10, 10-12, 11-9)
Shona Coxsedge (QLD) d Yen-Chi Chen (TPE) 3-0 (12-10, 11-1, 11-4)
Sarah Sabry (IRE) d Courtney Scholtz (VIC) 3-2 (7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8)