Harrity Pulls Off Five-Game Comeback Against Hanson in Phoenix

Harrity and former PSA player Peter Fantich.
Harrity and former PSA player Peter Fantich. (image: Elizabeth Foley)

U.S. Pro Series Live

Team USA’s Todd Harrity recovered from two games down against Pan American Games teammate Chris Hanson, to win their $16,000 Ganem Veins Institute Cactus Classic quarterfinal in five games Friday night at the Foley Squash Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona.

Harrity entered the match having won their only previous encounter on the PSA Tour in August, and a four-game, first-round victory Thursday night, while Hanson had come back from two games down to upset eight seed Peter Creed Thursday night.

“The two U.S. players were being coached by two Australian coaches,” reported Tournament Director David Foley. “Harrity was under the wing of his billet and former PSA player, Peter Fantich. Chris Hanson had Geoff Hunt in his corner.

“Hanson found himself sitting comfortably up 2-0 love tasting victory. In a reversal of the previous night when Hanson came from 0-2 down to defeat Creed, the tables were turned. Harrity was able to dig deep, change a few tactics, and in the end it was Harrity 3-2 over Hanson. Harrity had gained his place in the semifinals.”

Harrity, world No. 52, will face Qatar’s world No. 61 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi in the semifinals Saturday night after the six seed upset second-seeded Egyptian Karim Ali Fathi in four games.

The top half of the draws sees one seed Omar Abdel Meguid take on India’s five seed Mahesh Mangoankar, who knocked out Finland’s four seed Henrik Mustonen in five games.

Saturday’s semifinals are scoring live on U.S. Pro Series Live from 3pm local time, 5pm ET.