Welsh Ace Tesni Evans Takes On Middlesex Challenger

Cardiff-born Tesni Evans, who lives in Rhyl and plays out of the Prestatyn club, is tipped to qualify for the women’s quarter-finals at the National Squash Championships in Manchester.

Evans, seeded five to eight, has been drawn to play Alison Thompson from Middlesex in the first round on Thursday with the winner taking on second seed Alison Waters.

Evans, Deon Saffery from Barry and Tesni’s brother Emyr are the Welsh players going for glory at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

The tournament starts with qualifying rounds on Tuesday. There are seven courts including a new glass-back.

Tesni, ranked 21 in the World, is the daughter of Squash Wales coach Andrew and started playing when the Evans family were living in Cardiff.

Her first memories are watching World class players Cassie Jackman, from England, and Australian Sarah Fitz-Gerald playing at Cardiff SRC.

“They visited our club for an exhibition match and to play against members,” says Tesni. “I was about eight at the time and it was amazing and exciting to see them playing.

“I had my photograph taken with both of them.”

Tesni has made solid progress in the professional squash ranks and won the Sharm El Sheikh Open title in Egypt last year, saying: “My first, and only, tour title so far. I beat a few players ranked above me at the time.

“That gave me so much confidence and belief.

“My career ambition is to win some World Series events and climb as high up in the rankings as possible.

“I’m trying to put more intensity and aggression in my game by volleying more. I am trying to take the ball earlier.

“I tend to naturally sit back a lot and can go quite passive. I am working on that.”

Saffery has been drawn against women’s top seed Laura Massaro at the nationals, while Emyr Evans will play Matt Sidaway or Nathan Mayers in the final qualifying round. Emir’s first match is at 6pm on Wednesday.

Nick Matthew and James Willstrop, both in the World’s top 10, are favourites to clash in the final. It would be their sixth in eight years.

The potential women’s quarter-finals would feature a national champion. Three of the World’s top 10 should go through and all eight of those tipped to go through are ranked in the top 30.

If all matches go to seeding, Friday’s quarter-finals would be:

Men’s: Nick Matthew v Alan Clyne, Tom Richards v Declan James, Daryl Selby v Adrian Waller, James Willstrop v Joe Lee.

Women’s: Laura Massaro v Fiona Moverley, Emily Whitlock v Jenny Duncalf, Sarah-Jane Perry v Victoria Lust, Alison Waters v Tesni Evans.