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Individual
Finals:
Eric Galvez (Mex) bt Jorge Ferreira (Mex)
5/11, 11/6,
11/8, 5/11, 11/8
Samantha Teran (Mex) bt Tara Mullins (Can)
11/4, 11/7, 11/4
21-Oct:
Mexican doubler for Galvez & Teran
 Top seeds Eric
Galvez and Samantha Teran celebrated a Mexican double after
contrasting successes in the individual finals of the
Panamerican Squash Championships in Ambato, Ecuador.
Galvez, the world No37 from Puebla, eased into the men's
final after a four-game win over Canadian David Phillips –
and faced a surprise opponent to produce an all-Mexican
climax.
Jorge Ferreira upset second-seeded Brazilian Rafael Alarcon
in the other semi-final to make the final for the first
time.
Ferreira, ranked 15 places below his compatriot, took the
opening game. But Galvez, champion for the first time in
2005, bounced back to win the match 5-11, 11-6, 11-8, 5-11,
11-8 to claim the regional title for the second time.
 Samantha Teran confirmed her status as the best woman player
in the region by reaching the other final without dropping a
game.
The world No16 from Mexico City's opponent was unheralded
Canadian Tara Mullins, who made her breakthrough in the
quarter-finals by despatching second seed Silvia Angulo
Rugeles, from Colombia. The 32-year-old from Toronto then
had a walkover through to the final after the withdrawal of
another Colombian Catalina Pelaez.
But Teran was too strong for her opponent in the final,
winning 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 to secure the title for the fourth
time since 2002. 20-Oct:
Mullins to face Teran in Final
Tara Mullins of Canada advanced to the final in
women’s play on Monday at the Pan American squash
championships while compatriot David Phillips lost his
semi-final match in men’s competition.
Mullins didn’t need to play on Monday as her semifinal
opponent Catalina Pelaez of Colombia was injured earlier in
the day playing a doubles match and could not compete.
In Tuesday’s final, Mullins faces top-seed Samantha Teran
of Mexico, currently ranked 16th in the world. Teran
defeated Thaisa Serafini of Brazil in the other semifinal.
Mullins, is currently ranked 70th in the world and was a
member of the 2008 senior women’s world championships team
and the 2006 Panamerican championships team.
In men’s semifinal action, Phillips lost to top-seed
Erick Galvez of Mexico 11-5, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9.
“David played very well against a tough opponent,” said
Canadian national men’s team coach Yvon Provençal. ‘’Galvez
is use to playing in these condition (high altitude) but it
was a close match for two thirds of the way. It augurs well
for the team tournament. David has played a lot this year
and has really improved. In addition he’s learned to deal
with difficult situations like playing at altitude here.’’
Team Seeds Announced
The seedings and draw for the team event which starts
Wednesday were also announced. Canada is seeded fourth in
both men’s and women’s competition.
The top-seeds in the men’s draw are, in order, Mexico,
Argentina and Colombia. Canada is in a pool with Colombia,
Venezuela and Bermuda. Canada opens against Bermuda on
Wednesday.
‘’Mexico is the favourite for sure,’’ said Provençal.
‘’After that it’s very close between ourselves and couple of
other teams. Playing well under pressure will be a key to
success. Our guys are eager to get the team event going.’’
For the women, the top-seeds are Mexico, Colombia and
Brazil. Canada is in a pool with Mexico and Guatemala.
Canada’s first match is Thursday against Guatemala.
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19-Oct:
Canadians advance to
semis in Ecuador
Tara Mullins of Toronto completed an exhausting day of
competition on Sunday with a five-game victory over
number-two seed Silvia Angulo of Colombia to advance to the
semifinals at the Pan American squash championships.
Mullins beat Angulo 12-10, 11-5, 11-13, 1-11, 11-9 in the
evening quarterfinal. Earlier Sunday she eliminated
compatriot Samantha Cornett of Ottawa 12-10, 11-7, 3-11,
11-8 in the round of 16.
“In the second match I was starting to get tired a lot
faster,” said Mullins, a member of Canada’s 2008 world
championship team. “When we got to the fifth game I just
wanted to play smart, focus on ball placement and keep her
on the run. I also had a good match against Samantha. It’s
never easy to eliminate another Canadian. I know she wanted
to go deep in this tournament as well.”
Mullins faces third-seed Catalina Pelaez of Colombia in her
semifinal.
Alexandra Norman of Montreal also played twice on Sunday. In
the round of 16 she defeated fourth-seed Tatiana Borges of
Brazil 11-2, 14-12, 11-7 but lost her quarterfinal to
top-seed and world number-17 Samantha Teran of Mexico 11-5,
11-5, 11-8.
“This was a very good experience,” said Norman representing
Canada for the first time at an international event since
relocating from England. “I was happy to get the opportunity
to play Samantha and I’m pleased with my overall performance
at the tournament.”
In men’s play David Phillips of Pointe-Claire, Que., won two
matches as well. In the round of 16 he beat Vinicius Costa
of Brazil 11-5, 4-11, 11-8, 11-2 and in the evening
semifinal he ousted Esteban Casarino of Paraguay 11-7, 11-8,
11-4.
“There are no easy matches in this tournament,” said
Phillips, a member of Canada’s world championship team last
month. “It’s been a big challenge so far dealing with the
altitude and the bouncier balls on the court. But I’m
playing well and my goal is to win the gold here.”
Phillips plays top-seed Erick Galvez of Mexico in his
semifinal.
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