The North American Open, a marquee event in professional squash, once again delivered an exciting spectacle at the Field Club of Greenwich, Round Hill Club, and Greenwich Country Club. With a $50,000 men’s event sponsored by NTC Group and a $15,000 women’s event supported by Saratoga Investment Corp, the tournament showcased top-tier talent, fierce competition, stunning upsets, and dominant performances.

One of the longest-running events on the SDA tour, the men’s tournament boasted a strong field, despite the withdrawals of Sam Khalifa and Chris Callis. Top seeds Zac Alexander and James Bamber led the draw, with James Stout and Scott Arnold securing the second seed. On the women’s side, top-seeded Kayley Leonard and Maria Elena Ubina, who grew up playing at the Field Club, were strong contenders, while Georgina Stoker and Lauren West entered as second seeds.

Early-round matches set the stage for some unexpected results. In the men’s draw, Adham Madi and Kush Kumar secured a surprise victory over Matt Jenson and Travis Judson. Madi, new to the SDA tour, demonstrated great potential with his impressive performance. The women’s semi-finals produced dramatic results, with both top seeds falling short. In an intense encounter, Katie Tutrone and Line Hansen overcame Leonard/Ubina in four games. Though Leonard/Ubina initially appeared in control after winning the second game comfortably, Tutrone/Hansen shifted momentum in their favor, taking the last two games to seal their victory. The second semi-final saw Stoker/West face the fourth seeds in a grueling five-game battle. The match swung back and forth, but the fourth-seeded pair emerged victorious, setting up a thrilling final.

The men’s semi-finals were equally exhilarating. John Russell and Matt Henderson pushed top seeds Alexander/Bamber to the limit in a left-wall, shot-making showdown. Russell, a former World No. 1, demonstrated his signature flair, taking his team to a 2-1 lead before Alexander/Bamber fought back to secure the win. The other semi-final introduced a rising duo, Elroy Leong and Kyle Martino, who started strong against Stout/Arnold. Despite racing to a 14-11 lead in the first game, they failed to convert game balls, which dented their confidence. Though they rallied to take the third game, Stout/Arnold edged them in the fourth, avoiding a decisive fifth game.

The women’s final saw fourth seeds Todd/Minerson dominate the first game before Tutrone/Hansen found their rhythm to level the match. However, Todd/Minerson’s well-executed game plan carried them through to victory. Notably, this marked Todd’s first SDA win playing on the left wall, a departure from her usual position on the right. For Minerson, it was her second career title.

The men’s final was a decisive affair, with Stout/Arnold securing a straight-games victory. After taking a close first game, they never looked back, maintaining unrelenting length and width to control the match. Their back-to-back triumph, following a win in Boston, firmly established them as the in-form team. Meanwhile, Alexander/Bamber suffered heartbreak in the final for the second consecutive year. The victory marked Stout’s first North American Open title, adding another milestone to his career and Arnold’s second having previously won the event with John Russell.

For those who missed the live-action, all matches are available for replay on YouTube: Watch Here. The North American Open once again lived up to its reputation as a premier event on the squash calendar, highlighting the skill, strategy, and endurance of the sport’s top professionals.

Full draw

Previous articleNarelle Tippett Krizek Calls Time On Her SDA Career
Next articleFirst Title for Mawji/MClaughlin at UCNY Challenger