Aifa Azman and Lewis Anderson the only non-Egyptian semi-finalists
By KNG ZHENG GUAN – Squash Mad Asian Correspondent

Aifa Azman kept the home hopes alive in the CIMB Foundation WSF World Junior Squash Championships as Egypt flexed their muscles while unseeded English boy Lewis Anderson extended his barnstorming run into the semi-finals.

Aifa, the girls’ 3rd-4th seed, delivered one of her best showing of the year as she downed England’s Elise Lazarus in straight games at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil on Friday.

After a nervy start, Aifa hit top gear while Lazarus contributed to her own downfall with a string of errors as the Malaysian sealed a 12-10, 11-8, 11-5 win in 28 minutes.

It was sweet revenge for Aifa who lost to Lazarus in their last meeting – the quarter-finals of the British Junior Open in 2017.

More importantly, the Kedahan, in her fourth world juniors appearance, finally earned a breakthrough to the semi-finals for the first time where she will face junior rival Jana Shiha of Egypt.
Second seed Jana dropped the opening game but had enough quality to power to a 7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 win in 31 minutes.

“I knew it was going to be very tough against Elise because I lost to her back in 2017 and I haven’t played her since so I was a bit nervous to start,” said Aifa.

“But I did my preparations well and I’m very happy to win 3-0 and get through to the semi-finals.

“I go way back with Jana. I played her for the first time in the 2014 British Junior Open, a match which I won after being 10-6 down in the fifth.

“I also beat her the last time we met, back in 2018. I’m looking forward to taking her on again and hopefully get through it again.”

There would be no double Malaysian joy as 5th-8th seed Chan Yiwen went down battling to 3rd-4th seed Farida Mohamed in a physical contest.

The 18-year-old Yiwen took the first game but Farida upped the tempo to take a 3-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 win in 36 minutes.

“My game plan worked in the first but Farida changed things up and played faster and more aggressive and that put me under pressure the whole time,” said a dejected Yiwen.

“I believe I gave it everything I got. I went for every ball but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.

“Its definitely tough and disappointing to lose on home ground but its now in the past and I plan to come back stronger in the team event.”

Farida now goes on to meet top seed and compatriot Hania El Hamammy in the last four.

Hania, who is gunning for her first world junior title on her fifth attempt, survived a scare before getting past Hong Kong’s Chan Sin Yuk 14-12, 11-3, 12-10.

In the boys’ event, Egypt proved to be the dominant force as top seed Mostafa Asal, second seed Omar El Torkey and 3rd-4th seed Moustafa Elsirty all powered into the last four.

Mostafa, the defending champion, was really a class above as he gave home hope Siow Yee Xian no breathing space in an 11-3, 11-4, 11-1 demolition.

“I was concentrated to win and play good squash. I know my opponent is a pretty good player so I needed to get my tactics right and I’m pleased to be in the semi-finals,” said Mostafa.

“Its always tough being the top seed as all the focus is on you. The pressure is also on you as well.

“But now I’m focused and I’m hoping to keep up this level. Its just two more pushes and then I’m done with the juniors.”
Mostafa will meet unseeded English boy Anderson, who extended his giant-killing run by scalping a third seeded player in two days.

The Solihull boy, who came into the competition with little expectations, certainly played some of his best squash as he saw off India’s 9th-12th seed Veer Chotrani 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7.

“Everything was going great for me until the fourth game where I was 10-2 up. I suddenly got nervous and forgot how to play. But I’m really glad to have gotten through to make the top four,” said Anderson.

“Its really been an unbelievable week for me. To beat Veer today and the two I beat yesterday, is simply unbelievable.

“Back home my coach told me if I trained hard enough I could make the top four. He certainly believed in me while I didn’t believe in myself enough.

“Of course its going to be tough against Mostafa. He’s a top player ranked No. 29 in the world. I’m just going to go in there and play my game and see what happens.”

The semi-finals will start from 4pm with all matches streamed on SquashTV.

Quarter-Finals.

[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [5/8] Siow Yee Xian (MAS) 11-3, 11-4, 11-1 (27m)
Lewis Anderson (ENG) bt [9/12] Veer Chotrani (IND) 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7 (41m)
[3/4] Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) bt [5/8] Sam Todd (ENG) 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5 (39m)
[2] Omar El Torkey (EGY) bt [5/8] Yehia Elnawasany (EGY) 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 (25m)

[1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [5/8] Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) 14-12, 11-3, 12-10 (32m)
[3/4] Farida Mohamed (EGY) bt [5/8] Chan Yiwen (MAS) 3-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 (36m)
[3/4] Aifa Azman (MAS) bt [5/8] Elise Lazarus (ENG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-5 (28m)
[2] Jana Shiha (EGY) bt [5/8] Marina Stefanoni (USA) 7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (31m)

Pictures courtesy of #WSFWorldJuniors2019

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – The annual IMSA weekend at Road America has become synonymous with a State of the Series presentation led by IMSA President Scott Atherton over the past several years.

The presentation has become an event in itself, where the following year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge schedules are traditionally unveiled, and future plans and developments are unveiled publicly for the first time.

There weren’t any breaking news announcements this year, such as the surprise unveiling of WeatherTech’s entitlement partnership back at the State of the Series in 2015.

There was some State of the Series history made in Road America’s Tufte Center on Friday night. In addition to 2020 schedule announcements for the WeatherTech Championship and Pilot Challenge, next year’s calendars for the five additional series that IMSA sanctions also were confirmed.

Schedules for the IMSA Prototype Challenge, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and Ferrari Challenge were part of the presentation. It’s the first time that has ever happened at an IMSA State of the Series.

“To confirm the details of every one of our 2020 series schedules so that all of our stakeholders – race teams, drivers, manufacturers, partners, and most importantly, our fans – can start making plans for next year is a real positive for everyone,” said Atherton. “It is the result of a tremendous amount of collaboration between our team at IMSA and our promoter partners and we are grateful for the hard work of all involved. All seven IMSA-sanctioned series will visit the very best road racing facilities in North America throughout 2020.”

The announcement of the flagship WeatherTech Championship schedule again featured events at the same 12 venues that have hosted the series since the 2018 season. The season will open with the Rolex 24 At Daytona on the weekend of Jan. 23-26 and will close with Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on Oct. 7-10.

A significant piece of news that was revealed as part of the WeatherTech Championship schedule announcement is the fact that NBC network television coverage will bookend the season, with Rolex 24 At Daytona coverage and planned telecasts for the penultimate round of the season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sept. 13 and Motul Petit Le Mans on Oct. 10.

The LMP2 class will shift to a six-race schedule for the 2020 WeatherTech Championship season. The Rolex 24 At Daytona will be a standalone marquee event and will not count toward WeatherTech Championship points, but it will count toward the class’ four-race Michelin Endurance Cup season. LMP2 will not return to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2020, enabling IMSA to confirm a six-race season for the class and eliminating the challenge of competing on back-to-back weekends.

Other enhancements for both LMP2 and GTD coming in 2020 include the extension of dedicated practice time at each event for Bronze- or Silver-rated drivers to 30 minutes – 15 minutes of exclusive practice and 15 minutes of combined practice with DPi and GTLM cars – at the beginning of Practice 2 each weekend. Any participating driver/team will be allocated one extra set of tires.

The highest-finishing eligible Bronze or Silver driver in LMP2 and GTD again will be eligible for a year-end trophy – the Jim Trueman Award for LMP2 and the Bob Akin Award for GTD – and also will receive the coveted invitation to participate in the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Michelin Pilot Challenge series, which has seen significant changes over the past few years including changes to class configuration, technical specifications and tire partner, will have a 2020 season without major alterations. The 10-race season returns the series to the same venues as 2019, all running as a companion to WeatherTech Championship events.

The IMSA Prototype Challenge returns for a six-race season in 2020, kicking off as it has since 2018 with a three-hour race during the Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend on Jan. 4-5. Notable changes for 2020 include a return to Road America for the first time since 2015, the elimination of minimum pit-stop times and the requirement that each car has at least one Bronze-rated driver. Platinum- and Gold-rated drivers will be prohibited.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama season again will have eight weekends and a total of 16, 45-minute races, including a pair of season-opening races at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the weekend of March 13-15.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA also will shift onto the IMSA weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sept. 11-13 for 2020 after racing as part of the IndyCar event weekend in 2019. Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA will have one combined event with Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama in 2020 – at Watkins Glen International on the weekend of June 25-27.

The 2020 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada schedule includes six weekends and 12, 45-minute races. The series returns to the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres on Aug. 7-9 after a one-year absence and its first visit to Ontario’s Calabogie Motorsports Park since 2015 on the weekend of Aug. 28-30.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America will have a six-event, 12-round calendar in 2020. Each race again will be 50 minutes in length with two drivers required in each car.

The season will open at Barber Motorsports Park for the second consecutive year on the weekend of April 3-5 and the series will run alongside IndyCar and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada on the Honda Indy Toronto event weekend for the first time on July 11-12. The date and location for the Lamborghini Super Trofeo world finale – planned for October 2020 – will be unveiled later.

The 2020 schedule for Ferrari Challenge also was confirmed. The longtime IMSA-sanctioned single-make series will open its season at Daytona on the weekend of Jan. 22-25 in conjunction with the Rolex 24 At Daytona after a one-year absence from the Daytona high banks.

Other venues set to host the series next year include Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Watkins Glen International. The date and location for the 2020 Ferrari World Finals also will be announced later.

Beyond the schedule announcements, updates also were provided to the audience of stakeholders and media on the timeline for the evolution of the DPi platform coming in 2022, including the planned release of technical regulations in the first quarter of 2020.

INDIANAPOLIS – The thunder roaring from Trans-Am Series presented by Pirelli cars filled the air at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday as the the Trans-Am, SuperGT and GT classes took to the track to set the grids for this weekends races.

After opening the running with morning practice, the split 35-minute qualifying session ended the day at IMS. The track was considerably hotter for qualifying than during morning practice, and with a wide range of machines also taking to the track as part of the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, several types of rubber lined the 2.43-mile circuit. But, the Pirelli tires equipped throughout the TA, SGT and GT field gave the Trans Am runners all the grip on offer in the tricky conditions.

TA class driver Ernie Francis Jr. was quickest all day and after just a handful of laps, the multi-class champion notched a lap of 1:25.367-seconds in his baby blue and white No. 98 Frameless Shower Doors Ford Mustang to take pole position.

“Qualifying went really well for us,” said Francis. “We had the pace we were expecting out there. We are usually pretty fast around this place and IMS is a track that I really like driving around. We threw a new set of stickers on for this session and knocked down a fast lap. I’m really proud of the guys here at Breathless Racing. They worked really hard to get the Frameless Shower Doors Ford Mustang out there on pole for tomorrow’s race.”

Following a pre-practice inspection by his team, Chris Dyson missed out on the first session of the day, which only got more interesting from there. The series allowed the No. 20 Plaid Ford Mustang to turn hardship laps, but Dyson experienced more hardships during what should’ve been an excitement-free shakedown as a transmission issue kept him from doing the full lap.

But his CD Racing squad rallied behind him as just a few short hours later, Dyson qualified second in TA with a lap of 1:26.137-seconds. Just over seven tenths of a second off pole, Dyson showed no ill-effects from the issues that plagued him earlier in the day.

“We had a cautionary engine change after we saw some suspicious material in the oil that we didn’t want to take any chances on,” Dyson explained. “The guys pushed pretty hard to get out there for some hardship laps, when we had some issues unrelated to the engine with the transmission. We were resilient and I would put our team next to anyone in the world. They really inspire confidence.”

Adam Andretti took third fastest lap of the day in TA and will start behind Francis Jr. and Dyson. Celebrating his 57th birthday driving the No. 57 Kryderacing Cadillac CTSV, David Pintaric will start beside Andretti in row two. Amy Ruman completed the top-five with a best time of 1:28.555-seconds.

About seven tenths of a second also separated the top SGT drivers. Tim Kezman in the No. 44 Lemons of Love Porsche 991 GT3 Cup edged out series-newcomer Ken Thwaits in the jet black No. 35 Showtime Motorsports Audi R8.

“I am excited to qualify on the front row without any drama,” Thwaits said after his first Trans-Am qualifying session. “I wanted to save the car as much as possible. It is a long race and it’s going to be hot. Saturday is what it is all about. Qualifying is good for a few laps, but we have to put together 42 (laps) tomorrow to win.”

Steven Davison in the No. 22 Aston Martin Vantage reeled off a quick time of 1:35.267 to take pole over Joe Bogetich in the No. 65 Westover Controls Chevrolet Camaro SS.

MASON, Mich. – Jason Davis took top honors in Friday’s Corrigan Oil Claimers feature at Corrigan Oil Speedway.

The 20-lap race was run on the modified race course, otherwise known as the Roval. Patience Degg led the field to the green flag, but T.J. Hurell quickly took the lead with Davis taking over second.

On lap three, Davis would get past Hurell to take the point as Joey Wirt moved in to third. With the laps clicking off, Davis slowly pulled away as Hurell and Wirt battled for second.

With two laps to go, Hurell developed a flat left-front tire and Wirt was able to take over second. At the finish, Davis took the win followed by Wirt, Hurell, Bobby Prather and Chris Reid.

MALTA, N.Y. – Mike Mahaney won his second DIRTcar modified feature of the season Friday night at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

The scene was far from joyful, as the motor in his George Huttig-owned No. 35 expired in the final turn, nearly passing the win to a rapidly closing Peter Britten, who had dropped back in the pack and then came alive when the bottom groove came in.

The blown engine was Mahaney’s second of the week, having lost the engine in his primary car at Wednesday’s Eldora Speedway Super DIRTcar Series round and being forced to run his spare car, which he then used at Albany-Saratoga.

Bobby Hackel IV was third in the 35-lapper ahead of Keith Flach and Kenny Tremont Jr.  The second five consisted of Matt DeLorenzo, Marc Johnson, Rocky Warner, Ronnie Johnson and rookie Chris Johnson.

Polesitter Elmo Reckner led lap one, then lost his advantage when front row companion C.G. Morey went around in turn one, taking the side off Jack Lehner’s mount and scrambling the field. That set the tone for the night, with Neil Stratton then pulling a bump and run to dispose of Reckner. By then the sixth starting Britten was third and diving low on restarts trying to edge by the rim riders.

Lap six saw Brett Hearn pull up with a flat and the leader, Stratton, stop on the backstretch at the same time for yet another yellow, leaving Britten in command.  But Jessey Mueller soon sailed around him and drove off, only to pull up with a flat as well. This put Britten back on top but Mahaney shot by him on lap nine and by halfway was deep in the tailenders.

By then, Britten had dropped to sixth as the rim riders kept driving around him and he was still there with five to go.  But suddenly, the bottom groove came alive and the popular Australian began mowing down the cars ahead of him and nearly won the race.

“This is our last big block motor,” said Mahaney in victory lane. “We just spent fifteen grand to win $2,000. It’s nice to put on a great show for the fans but I feel terrible. Now we’re down to one small block that we run at Airborne Speedway in another car.”

In Pro Stock action, Luke Horning led Jason Corbin, Nick Arnold and Brandon Emigh to the flag in a proverbial “under a blanket” finish.  Scott Deuel passed race long leader Marty Kelly with the checkers in sight to claim the Sportsman win, with Kyle Groff, Tim Hartman Jr and seventh grader to be Derrick McGrew Jr. trailing.

KENT, Wash. – Bob Tasca raced to the provisional No. 1 spot in Funny Car to lead the way on Friday during the Magic Dry Organic Absorbent NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.

Mike Salinas (Top Fuel) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) are also provisional No. 1 qualifiers in their respective categories at the 16th of 24 races during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. The event is also the final of three races during the NHRA’s Western Swing.

Tasca, who has two wins this season, powered to a career-best run of 3.871 seconds at 330.63 mph in his Ford Performance/Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang to take the provisional top spot. It marks Tasca’s first run of more than 330 mph. If it holds, it would be Tasca’s first No. 1 qualifier of 2019 and fourth in his career.

Defending world champ J.R. Todd is currently in second, while Matt Hagan is third.

“This is a set-up we’re really starting to dial in, and we kind of felt the 330-plus mph run and mid-3.80 run building,” Tasca said. “I’m just excited and humbled to be the behind of the wheel of this thing. This is a brand new body we needed to learn, and you just saw it come together tonight and put us in position to win on Sunday. At this point in the season you’re battle-tested and it’s all hands on deck. There’s a lot of hard work paying off and that’s what I’m most proud of, and this Mustang keeps getting stronger and stronger.”

Top Fuel’s Salinas drove his Scrappers Racing dragster to an impressive 3.694-second pass at 327.66 ph. It would give Salinas, who has two wins in 2019, his fourth No. 1 qualifier this year and fifth in his career if it holds. Brittany Force is currently second, while points leader and defending world champ Steve Torrence is third.

In Pro Stock, Coughlin went 6.539 seconds at 210.57 mph to take the No. 1 spot in his JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro. Coughlin is aiming for his first top qualifier of the year and 30th in his career.

His Elite Motorsports teammates are in the next two spots, as Alex Laughlin, the runner-up last weekend in Sonoma, is second and Erica Enders sits third. Greg Anderson, who is trying to sweep the Western Swing, is sixth.

Argentina's Lionel Messi was banned for three months from international matches and fined $50,000 on Friday after accusing South America's governing body for football of "corruption" during the Copa America.

Messi criticised the officiating and members of CONMEBOL last month following Argentina's semifinal loss to Brazil and after the third-place match against Chile, but later apologised for his statements.

CONMEBOL has given Messi and the Argentine Football Association seven days to appeal the sanctions.

Argentina are due to face Chile in a friendly match in Los Angeles on Sept. 5, followed by another friendly with Mexico in San Antonio five days later.

Messi, who is due to return Nov. 3, will also miss the friendly against host Germany on Oct. 9 in Dortmund.

Messi is already suspended from the first match of the South American World Cup qualifiers in March because of the red card he received against Chile in an incident with Gary Medel.

Neither Messi nor Argentina's soccer association have made comments about CONMEBOL's decisions.

Messi avoided the Copa America medal ceremony in protest and later said Argentina "shouldn't take part in this corruption."

The 32-year-old also said the tournament was set up for hosts Brazil to win and had complained about Copa America refereeing after Argentina's 2-0 loss to Brazil in the semifinals.

When asked if he feared being suspended for his comments, he said "the truth needed to be told."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.