Jones and Bong Upset to make Main Draw of Fitzherbert Rowe Lawyers NZ International Classic

Luke Jones of New Zealand and Valentino Bong of Malaysia have upset their higher seeded opponents on the final day of qualifying to make the main draw of the Fitzherbert Rowe Lawyers NZ International Classic 2017.

The first match of qualifying was between Addeen Idrakie of Malaysia and Sean Conroy of Ireland. Conroy got off to a strong start claiming the first 2 games and looked set to claim his place in the main draw. Idrakie however managed to come back and slowly got his way back into the match, eventually claiming the match in 5, 3-2.

The first upset of the qualifying came from ex local player Luke Jones of New Zealand against fellow New Zealander Ben Grindrod. Both players were thriving on the long rallies and in a close first game it was Jones that took the edge. It was similar game play in the second with Jones managing to edge the win again going 2-0 up on Grindrod. Whilst Grindrod was able to claim the third it was not enough with Jones rounding out the match, taking the win 3-1.

The next match was between Valentino Bong of Malaysia and Matias Tuomi of Finland. Tuomi a longtime supporter of this event was looking to use his knowledge to help him get into the main draw. It went game for game between the players, Bong however was looking slightly fresher near the end and he claimed the win in 5, 3-2 and caused the second upset of the qualifying.

Daniel Mekbib of the Czech Republic looked too strong for England’s Bradley Masters with Masters not quite able to match the intensity of Mekbib, Mekbib claiming the match 3-0.

Full game results and women’s qualifying round matches can be found below.

The main draw for the men’s kicks off tonight at 5pm and the first round of women’s qualifying starts today at 10am.

Livestreaming begins 5pm and links can be found here Court 5 and here Court 2 or below in this article.

Check out the schedule of play for the Livestreaming of the Fitzherbert Rowe Lawyers, New Zealand International Classic PSA here:

• Court Schedule Palmy 8-6

If you wish to commentate or watch some alternative commentary from the weekend jump over to SPALK here.

Men’s Qualifying Final Round

[1] Addeen Idrakie (MAS) bt [7] Sean Conroy (IRL) 3-2: 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8
[8] Luke Jones (NZL) bt [3] Ben Grindrod (NZL) 3-1: 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10
[6] Valentino Bong (MAS) bt [4] Matias Tuomi (FIN) 3-2: 7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-1, 11-8
[5] Daniel Mekbib (CZE) vs Bradley Masters (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-3

Women’s Qualifying Round 1

[1] Abbie Palmer (NZL) vs [L] Annaleise Faint (NZL)
[L] Winona-Jo Joyce (NZL) vs [6] Anika Jackson (NZL)
[7] Lauren Clarke (NZL) vs Nadia Hubbard (NZL)
[L] Courtney Trail (NZL) vs [3] Hwayeong Eum (KOR)
[4] Ellie Jones (ENG) vs [L] Grace Hymers (NZL)
[L] Camden Te Kani-McQueen (NZL) vs [8] You Jiyoung (KOR)
[5] Aifa Azman (MAS) vs [L] Danielle Fourie (NZL)
[L] Rhiarne Taiapa (NZL) vs [2] Moana Gray (AUS)

Men’s Main Draw Round 1

Court 2
5pm [8] Lance Beddoes (NZL) vs [Q] Luke Jones (NZL)
6pm [Q] Valentino Bong (MAS) vs [3] Greg Lobban (SCO)
7pm Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) vs [5] Chi Him Wong (HKG)
8pm [Q] Addeen Idrakie (MAS) vs [1] Peter Creed (WAL)

Court 5
5pm [2] Angus Gillams (ENG) vs [WC] Scott Galloway (NZL)
6pm [6] Evan Williams (NZL) vs [Q] Daniel Mekbib (CZE)
7pm [4] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) vs Joe Green (ENG)
8pm [7] Joshua Larkin (AUS) vs Eain Yow Ng (MAS)