Seventeen-year-old Peruvian World Junior Champion Diego Elias continued his outstanding form in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he defeated Scotland’s Greg Lobban, world No. 71, in the first round of the Squashworks Salt Lake City Open. The $10,000 U.S. Pro Series event runs from September 30-October 3 and is held at the Squashworks Racquet and Fitness Club.

On top of becoming the first South American World Junior Champion this summer, Elias reached a career high world ranking of 66 in October, mostly due to a quarterfinal run in the $70,000 Men’s Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas as a qualifier last month. In their first career match up, Elias is set to play second seed in the Open, New Zealand’s Martin Knight, world No. 47, in the quarterfinals today, October 1, 8:30pm local time.

The fifteen-player draw featured just one American: Faraz Khan, world No. 335, who fell to Malaysia’s Muhd Asyraf Azan, world No. 65 and fourth seed, in four games, 11-3, 8-11, 6-11, 12-14, in fifty-five minutes.

For more information, visit Squashworks Salt Lake City Open tournament page.

Salt Lake City Open Quarterfinals Draw:
[1] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) vs. [8] Paul Coll (NZL)
[2] Martin Knight (NZL) vs. Diego Elias (PER)
[3] Steve Finitsis (AUS) vs. [5] Ben Coleman (ENG)
[4] Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) vs. [7] Peter Creed (WAL)