From September 9th to 11th 2016, Figs National Technical Centre of Riccione hosted the 3rd edition of the Italian Open Masters, the tournament that opens the 2016/2017 season of the ESF’s European Masters Circuit.

The Italian tournament, which takes place since 2014, in this edition have been upgraded with the status of Grand Prix, which allows players to receive more ranking points than a normal Master tournament.

One hundred entries were received, coming from 22 different nations, for 8 age groups, as follows: M35+, W35+, M40+, M45+, W45+, M50+, M55+, M60+

Excellent level of the players entered, many of whom are at the top of their respective European masters rankings; we would like to mention the Italian Filippo Madella (#1 M35+), the Hungarian Zsusanna Kekesi (#2 W35+), the Italians Isaac Aroyo (#2 M40+) and italiano Alessandro Marcolini (#1 45+), the French Nicholas Barbeau (#2 M45+), Sweden’s Jonas Ulfsback and Belgian Guillaume Lahourchade (#1 e #3 M50+), Austrian Konny Hollein (#1 W50+), Belgian Jean-Marc Frapoint (#1 M55+) then the Finnish Kale Leskinen and Englishman Stuart Hardy (#1 e #2 M60+).

Other important players entered for the first time in the Masters circuit, declaring enthusiastic and willing to participate in other circuit’s events.

201 games played, which have followed with great pace, always on time; tournament well-organized and good controlled by the officials and referees of the Italian Squash Federation.

The lovely and sunny Riccione perfectly welcomed all players and accompanying persons, there were able to relax between the matches.

These are the winners for each age group

 

M35+

1 - Scott Fitz-Gerald (Wales)

2 - Mick Holmes (Australia)

3 - Filippo Madella (Italy)

 

W35+

1 - Zsusanna Kekesi (Ungheria)

2 - Rihan Penikett (Galles)

3 - Ewa Buczkowska (Poland)

 

M40+

1 - Marcel Straub (Switzerland)

2 - Domagoj Spoljar (Croatia)

3 - Matthew Crowley (Wales)

 

M45+

1 - Alessandro Marcolini (Italy)

2 - Nicholas Barbeau (France)

3 - Michael Cowie (Ireland)

 

W45+

1 - Konny Hollein (Austria)

2 - Karin Thiel (Netherlands)

3 - Felicitas Dohring (Germany)

 

M50+

1 - Jonas Ulfsback (Sweden)

2 - Luca Cabassi (Italy)

3 - Oliver Janssen (Germany)

 

M55+

1 - Jean-Marc Frapoint (Belgium)

2 - Joachim Gersdorf (Germany)

3 - Adolfo Pavesi (Italy)

 

M60+

1 - Kale Leskinen (Finland)

2 - Stuart Hardy (England)

3 - Christian Brocker (Germany)

 

The Italian Squash Federation would like to thank all players and their families that have taken part to this successfull edition of the Italian Open Masters, hoping to see you again next year.

A sincere thank also to the European Masters Subcomittee for the support before, during and after the tournament.

Davide Babini

IOM 2016 Tournament Director

 

 

Full results:

http://wsf.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draws.aspx?id=08E2F494-C4C0-492C-8A5B-1C3BCAE1B0AD

Official Photogallery:

http://www.federsquash.it/italian-open-masters/gallery.html

Konny Hollein’s Photogallery:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/133368718@N06/albums/72157672696211082

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF9wXM3IXqmOs4IRfYveYe7ZWPYGWJnsS