WSF WORLD DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP – DAY 3 SESSION 2 ROUND-UP
In an incredible evening session at the World Doubles Championship, both Scottish men’s doubles pairings progressed to the semi-final stage of the competition.
Alan Clyne and Douglas Kempsell were up first, facing the Australian pair of Zac Alexander and Ryan Cuskelly.
The Scots got off to a fantastic start, with excellent positioning on the court taking them to a comfortable 11-2 win.
Australia started the second game more brightly, in a very close game which they would go on to win 11-8.
That set up a decisive, and breathless, final game to determine which team would progress to the last four.
A rare ace put Australia 7-6 up, but Scotland kept fighting and were rewarded for their efforts.
An unfortunate stumble for Cuskelly put the Scots 10-8 up, with the Australians fighting back to 10-10 to set up a battle for the final point.
A great finish from Kempsell saw the Scots over the line, and was meted with a roar from the spectators in attendance (as well as those watching from home, no doubt!).
The most tense of finishes! 😬@Kempsell and @Clynesquash have booked their place in the semi final after overcoming Australia in one of the matches of the tournament!
Watch live ⬇️https://t.co/QpTqkAHJ1R pic.twitter.com/7ACQrMuPlF
— Scottish Squash 🏴 (@Scottish_Squash) April 7, 2022
Greg Lobban and Rory Stewart were up next, facing Malaysian duo Eain Yow Ng and Ivan Yuen in a quarter final clash.
The Scots put in a strong performance, and even against strong opposition they never looked to be under too much pressure.
The Malaysian pair persevered until the end, but were ultimately beaten in two straight games, 11-6, 11-6.
The final match of the evening came in the group stage of the mixed doubles, with Greg Lobban and Lisa Aitken taking on Mohammad Syafiq Kamal/Aifa Azman of Indonesia.
Lobban, coming straight off his quarter final victory in the men’s doubles showed no signs of fatigue as he put in a consistent performance alongside the impressive Lisa Aitken.
The Scots rushed ahead to an 8-0 lead, and would ultimately win the first game 11-5.
The Scottish pair continued in a dominant fashion and clinched the second game with a convincing 11-4 win.
