The opening leg of the newly established European One-Wall Pro-Tour took place last weekend with the Spanish Open in sunny Massamagrell.
The format sees the top 16 ranked Open players compete in a group format, with the top two placed in the group advancing to the knockout rounds. Currently there are six stops in this exciting new tour (Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Italy & UK), with GAA Handball set to make Ireland the 7th stop in 2016.
Tyrone’s Conor McElduff was provided a wildcard entry to the Men’s Open section in Massamagrell based on his current Irish One-Wall Nationals Champion status, and proved his worth by making it to the SF’s.
Having topped a group that included Sebastian Potiez (Belgium), Corentin Faignart (Belgium) & Kees Van Der Schoot (Netherlands), McElduff then defeated Vlad Klym (USA) 15-5 in the QF’s.
His run ended in the SF as experienced New Yorker William Polanco defeated McElduff 21-10 in the SF, before sealing victory with a 21-12 win over talented Spanish 17 year old Saxa Kruithof Perello in the final.
Men’s Open Singles
QF’s:
- William Polanco (USA) dft Allard Hoekstra (Netherlands) 15-6
- Conor McElduff (Ireland) dft Vlad Klym (USA) 15-5
- Saxa Kruithof Perello (Spain) dft Tanguy Metayer (Belgium) 15-5
- Steve Soquette (Belgium) dft Kees Van Der Schoot (Netherlands) 15-4
SF:
- Polanco dft McElduff 21-10
- Saxa dft Soquette 21-11
Final:
- Polanco dft Saxa 21-12
Men’s Open Doubles:
SF’s:
- Polanco/Klym dft Saxa/Sebastien Potiez 15-8
- Kees/Allard d. Miti/Miti (spain) 15-4
Final:
- Polanco/Klym dft Van Der Schoot/Hoekstra 21-19