Busayo Olatunji, the 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.
Olatunji was the only Nigerian player to make it to the semi-final stage of the tournament held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
“I honestly don’t feel sad; I feel happy that I made it this far. My first experience of the classics was in 2016, when I lost out in the first round, and in 2018, when I lost out in the quarterfinals.
“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 said 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, and that’s what I intend to do in the finals," she said.
In the men’s category, Mazen Gamal of Egypt, the number two seeded player who was one of the spectators' favourites, 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 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 p.m.
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