Squash Classics: Olatunji dashes fans` hope as she crashes out

By Aderonke Ojediran

Busayo Olatunji,  third seeded player in the ongoing Lagos squash classics dashed the hopes of her teeming fans  in the semi-finals  as she lost 3-0 to the number one seeded female player of the tournament,  Torri Malik.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olatunji was the only Nigerian player who made it to the semi-final stage of the tournament holding at the  Teslim Balogun  stadium, Lagos.

“I honestly I don’t feel sad, I feel happy that I made it this far, my first experience of the classics was in 2016, I lost out in the first round, in 2018 I lost out in the quarter-finals.

“In 2023, I made it to the semi-finals, that’s progress in my own understanding, I have played a lot of experienced players and  it has helped improve my game,’’ she said.

In another semi-final match, Fathy Malik of Egypt, the number five seeded player caused a major upset when she defeated the number two seeded player of the tournament, Lea Barbeau 3-2.

Malik told NAN that in spite of her win, she still needs to buckle up in order to secure a win in the finals.

“Today’s match was the toughest, I know I can play better, that’s what I intend to do in the finals,’’ she said.

In the men’s category,  Mazen Gamal of Egypt and the number two seeded player who was one of the spectator’s favorite, s lost 3-1 to Martin Svec of the Czech Republic.

The number two seeded player Svec, will slug it out with Curtis Malik, the number one seeded male player of the tournament, Curtis showed no to courtesy to his younger brother Perry; he won 3-1.

For the finals, Curtis will play against Svec, while in the women’s category, Torri will play against Fathy at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Hall by 4.00 p.m.

(NAN)