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Local squash talent shines at Ontario tourneys

The most elite squash player the city has ever produced, and the (hopeful) heir to the throne have both garnered attention at recent events in Ontario.
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Local squash players Robert de la Riva and Michael McCue have had a solid month with good showings at Ontario tournaments. File photo.
The most elite squash player the city has ever produced, and the (hopeful) heir to the throne have both garnered attention at recent events in Ontario.

Taking full advantage of competing in his final U11 tournament before he ages out at the end of this month, Robert de la Riva recently captured first place at the Pickering Junior Squash Open, reeling off five consecutive straight-set wins en route to his title.

Taking on all comers in three preliminary matches, as well as the semi-final, de la Riva downed Callan Fitzpatrick (Toronto) 15-10, 15-12 in the final showdown, with Faazil Khan of Ottawa placing third. De la Riva, who plays out of the Sudbury YMCA, will now compete at the U13 level in upcoming tournaments.

Meanwhile, Sudburian Michael McCue, currently ranked 117th in the world, recently defended his crown at the Pure HMV Ontario Men's & Women's Closed Championships.

Seeded second behind only Dane Sharpe, McCue beat Sean Vallejos-Sevilla (11-2, 11-3, 11-2), Rahul Sehrawat (11-7, 11-8, 11-7) and Cameron Seth (11-8, 11-6, 11-3), before besting Nicholas Sachvie 11-7, 13-11, 8-11, 11-4 in the finals.

McCue is also awaiting word on a very exciting opportunity, having recently been named to represent Canada at the Men's World Squash Team Championships in Cairo (Egypt) from Dec.12 - 19.

Unfortunately, recent security concerns have the status of the event somewhat up in the air, with McCue noting that he expects a final decision from Squash Canada to be rendered on or near Dec. 3.

McCue was in Edmonton last weekend, site of the Reidbuilt Homes Edmonton Open. After eliminating Elliot Selby of England 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 in the first round of qualification play, McCue failed to advance to the main event, beaten by fellow Canadian Andrew Schnell (9-11, 6-11, 5-11).

Schnell then lost to Diego Elias of Peru in the round of sixteen, as quarter-final action goes later today, with the gold medal match set for Saturday afternoon.

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