R1: Leonel 3-2 Edwin – Mahesh 2-1

Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 2-1 [WC] Edwin Clain (FRA) 11-7, 10-12, 12-10 (46m)
Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 2-1 Faraz Khan (USA) 11-3, 10-12, 11-6 (47m)

HUGE heartbreak for the French camp as Edwin managed to not only clinch the second game 12/10, but came back from 10/7 down to push for a tie-break, 10/10. The crowd was – logically – loud and supportive – but the Mexican clinched the last two points, 12/10… Game length: 13m, 14, 14m.

As for Mahesh versus Faraz, Mahesh had to work pretty hard as the American was picking up nicely whatever the Indian was throwing at him, while finding lovely attacks of his own. Mahesh finally got a good lead in the middle of the third, one that Faraz couldn’t catch up with today.

Mahesh

I was quite good in the first, but I did not replicate that in the second. I was leading most of the second game, but in the first five points, I kind of gave him a way to come back, I was playing silly shots, I was unable to choose between short shot or length, trying to be too  complicated.

But what I know against those players, is stick to the game plan, no mater what. Just hit the corners. Don’t give in to where he is. Hit it into space, that’s the way to do it.

My physical condition at the moment is not the best because I’m only a part time player now, I move to Finland because my wife is Finish, and you do what the wife tells you! Happy wife, Happy life!

I’ve started an import export company based in India, getting spices directly from the farmers, and distributing them in Finland, building up, I have been researching the market quite a lot. And it’s a bit difficult to play squash and train in Finland, so that’s why I started this new adventure!

I was lucky to win today, and I’m glad it was the best of three!

Leonel

“I am feeling great and happy to get to the next round! The match, it was tight! I was a bit nervous because of the crowd. I am not used to the best-of-three format, but I gave it all my heart, and that worked for me!.

“It feels great. Like every player, I put a lot of effort to come here from Mexico and play. I am happy to get the result, that’s why I was so excited!”