Pyramid Open Quarterfinal Report: Leanza Comes From Two-Love Down To Beat Dylan Murray
from Tour Media
March 24, 2012 - 18 year old Rising star Faraz Khan and veteran Shahid Khan both advanced to this evening's Pyramid Open semi-finals at Pyramid Squash Club in Tuckahoe, NY.
Faraz will face PST #2 Adrian Leanza in this evening's semi-fianls. Leanza beat Dylan Murray in a closely fought five match. Game scores were 10-12, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5.
Leanza started very slowly in this match and Murray's play reached the sublime in the first two games. But Leanza began to assert himself at the mid-point - maybe too much. Referee Mohamed Nabil warmed Leanza for an excessive swing on several occasions, but stopped short of penalizing him a point. The physicality seemed to bother the younger Murray who seemed to lose focus at later stages of the match.
Faraz beat TG Raubenheimer 6-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 in his quarter final match. Faraz Khan won a statement victory over veteran TG Raubenheimer. Faraz was quicker to the ball and more precise in his shot making. It seemed to surprise Raubenheimer, who is ever the gentleman on and off court. Raubenheimer played well, but the match was Khan's.
Shahid will face Supreet Singh who comfortably adanced in 11-4, 11-4, 11-6 victory over Mason Ripka. Young Ripka looked solid in last night's qualifying round, but Singh gave him few openings to hit his signature shots. The went quickly to Singh.
Shahid Khan needed to beat Ned Marks in quarter final play. He did in four games: 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8. The rallies were long and impressive throughout. Both Khan and Marks are patient players. And because they often train together, they know each other's game well. Khan was simply stronger today. Marks had beaten Khan earlier in the month at the Buffalo Wild Wings Open. So, Khan enjoyed exacting his revenge today.
Quarter Final Results
Adrian Leanza (USA) beat Dylan Murray (USA)10-12, 3-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5
Faraz Khan (USA) beat TG Raubenheimer (RSA) 6-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6
Supreet Singh (IND) beat Mason Ripka (USA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-6
Shahid Khan (ENG) beat Ned Marks (USA) 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8
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