PSA Squash: Anjema progresses in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Aug 31 (IANS):

Dutch number one Laurens Jan Anjema moved comfortably into the semi-finals of the Double AR Rotterdam Open after dismissing Germany’s Raphael Kandra in the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event here.

Top seed Anjema won the first and third games with ease – but the eight-time Dutch champion had to fight back from 6-9 down in the second before overcoming German number three Kandra 11-3, 11-9, 11-6 Friday night at Victoria Squash Centre, said a press release.

Second seed Adrian Grant displayed great skill and athleticism in his match against Steven Finitsis. Englishman Grant started off slowly, but managed to claw his way back in time to edge the first game against his hard-hitting Australian opponent. From there the Londoner looked at ease on the Victoria show court, dominating the next two games to secure his 12-10, 11-4, 11-7 win against a dangerous opponent.

Flying Finn Olli Tuominen had an easier time against Jens Schoor. The reigning European champion took control from the outset and simply outplayed his German opponent who couldn’t find an answer to the fast and explosive play of the third seed, winning 11-4, 11-7, 11-4.

In the last match of the evening, fourth seed Mathieu Castagnet proved too strong for fellow Frenchman Lucas Serme in a highly competitive and long encounter. Underdog Serme took the first after nearly half an hour, but this seemed to take its toll on the youngster, who kept working hard but lacked the punch of the early stages of the match to really trouble his compatriot in the next three games. The final score line: 10-12, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7.

Semi-final line-up:

[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v [4] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

[2] Adrian Grant (ENG) v [3] Olli Tuominen (FIN)