Abouelghar Makes Galway Semis
by Howard Harding
30 March 2013 - Egypt's Mohamed Abouelghar became the only qualifier to reach the semi-finals of the Paddy Whack West of Ireland Open after beating England's Charles Sharpes in the quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event in its seventh successive year at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club in Galway.
The 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 victory was the Cairo-born 19-year-old's second upset over a higher-ranked Englishman, following Abouelghar's defeat of No4 seed Robbie Temple in the opening round.
A fellow countryman now awaits Abouelghar in the semis after 18-year-old Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry defeated experienced Englishman Chris Ryder, a 32-year-old former world No33, 1-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2.
But there will be English interest in the other semi following Eddie Charlton's 12-10, 11-6, 11-4 win over qualifier Lucas Serme, the Frenchman who triumphed in last week's Swiss Open.
Charlton, the world No75 from Nottingham, clinched the first game after saving seven game-balls from 3-10 down!
The 24-year-old Englishman now faces Steven Finitsis, the Amsterdam-based Australian who defeated Germany's Raphael Kandra, ranked a single place higher, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Paddy Whack West of Ireland Open, Galway, Ireland
Quarter-finals:
Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry (EGY) bt Chris Ryder (ENG) 1-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2 (43m)
[Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 11-8 (36m)
Eddie Charlton (ENG) bt [Q] Lucas Serme (FRA) 12-10, 11-6, 11-4 (37m)
Steven Finitsis (AUS) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 (39m)
Semi-final line-up:
Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry (EGY) v [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
Steven Finitsis (AUS) v Eddie Charlton (ENG)
Back To Main
