Chris Hollow reports from Cambridge Club
The first match of the afternoon featured World Rank #15 Ryan Cuskelly against WR#8 Tarek Momen. 

 Momen came out of the blocks quickly, moving Cuskelley around.  The first game stayed tight through the middle section, tied at 6-6, until Momen ratcheted up the pressure down the stretch to win game one 11-9.  Despite an unlikely reliance on the working boast, the young Egyptian had the measure of his opponent through the next game, keeping his nose ahead all the way up to take game two 11-9.  The Australian gave a push in the third, tightening up his shots to the side wall and forcing errors out Momen.  But Momen’s combination of speed and power would prove to be too much for Cuskelly in the end, losing the game three and the match by a score of 11-9, 11-9, 11-9.
Superman Paul Coll brought the exciting brand of squash that made him the PSA’s Most Improved Player of 2016 to the court next, up against Mexican WR #25 Cesar Salazar in the second match of the afternoon.  Coll put on a display early, showing us the shots and physicality that’s propelled him to number 15 in the world.  

Coll kept his opponent guessing with his quickness and disguise.  Salazar, filling in for the injured Mathieu Castagnet, is no stranger to Toronto squash, having competed in the 2015 Pan-Am games.  Up against a strong, surging opponent in the young Kiwi, he wouldn’t find much joy this afternoon.  
Coll won the battle of the possession, controlling the lion’s share of the rallies.  Salazar put up a valiant effort but had a tough time contending with the range Coll showed under pressure, somehow defending and neutralizing from under extreme pressure.  In the end it was a dominant performance by Coll, winning 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-9).
Earlier in the day some of the pros held a Junior Jam at the club …

Watch Tarek Momen v Ryan Cuskelly and Paul Coll v Cesar Salazar

Quarter-Final:
Karim Abdel Gawad 3-1 Cameron Pilley   11/9, 11/9, 10/12, 12/10 (45m)
Andrew McDougal reports from Toronto Athletic

Quick lead to Karim 3-1 in the first.  A few quick winners and a broken string from Pilley.  Karim took a lead of 8-3 within the first 5 minutes with great control and winners from a variety of positions on the court.  Pilley pulled the game back but ended up losing the first game 11-9 on a cross nick attempt error.
The second started with a higher pace than the first.  Pilley was using his pace and reach to lengthen the court.  Pilley took a 4-1 lead and Karim clawed back to 3-4.  Karim hits a unbelievable backhand kill to bring it to 4-6.  Karim’s control and deception were too much for Pilley in the middle of the game and he took an 8-6 lead.  Crucial boast error from Pilley puts Karim up 9-7.   Pilley hits a few quick winner to bring it to 9-10 and they have a wonderful rally but Karim takes it with a forehand kill after doing some great retrieval.

The score stays close during the start of game 3 but you can tell Karim is loosening up and making Pilley do a lot of work.  Karim takes it to 7-3 then 8-4.  Pilley is fighting to stay in there and grabs a few more rallies to bring it to 6-8.  A ridiculous cross court nick from Karim takes it to 9-6.  Pilley brings it to 9-9 with solid squash forcing Karim into some errors.  Another error from Karim gives Cam his first game ball at 10-9.   A bad error from Pilley and the score is tied up at 10-10.  11-10 Pilley after an forehand volley drop error from Karim.  Pilley is able to convert his second game ball.
Both players are using all parts of the court at the start of the fourth game - many boasts and variety of pace.  Pilley is playing well and take a 6-2 lead.  Karim claws it back with some wonderful drop winners.  In Karim style he puts together a string of points to go up 9-6 out of nowhere.  Karim goes up match ball at 10-6.  Pilley claws three points back with an 2 errors from Karim and a lucky frame himself.   A great rally at 9-10 and Pilley takes it to go 10-10.
A terrible floor error from Pilley gives Karim another match ball at 11-10.  Karim converts the match ball and wins the match 3-1.