Egyptian Quintet Lead Charge On Day Two Of Qatar Classic, Amanda Sobhy Advances by Nathan Clarke
photos Squashpics.com
November 1, 2015
- Delaware Investments U.S. Open runner-up Omar Mosaad led a quintet of
Egyptian stars into the second round of the 2015 Men’s Qatar Classic,
PSA World Series tournament, during the second day of first round
action at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha, today (Nov 1).
Number four seed Mosaad dominated his encounter with Hong Kong’s Leo
Au, winning 3-0, to set up a second round clash with compatriot Mazen
Hesham while Fares Dessouki, Ali Farag and Karim Abdel Gawad completed
the set after pulling off a trio of impressive wins.
World No.33 Farag, who came through qualification to earn his man draw
spot, downed World No.11 Peter Barker in a composed 3-1 triumph and
will take on Gawad on Tuesday after the 24-year-old celebrated breaking
into the top ten for the first time in his career with a dogged 3-2 win
over Tarek Momen.
“It feels like my birthday today by becoming a top ten player because
ever since I was a small child I wanted to be a top squash player - I
have focused my whole life on being the best,” said Gawad.
“I feel like my career is starting again now and I hope I can keep on
improving my game and I will push myself as hard as I can and beating
Tarek is a great result for me.
“He’s such a dangerous player and one of the quickest and most talented
guys on the tour so I’m very proud and very happy that I was able to
come through.”
Elsewhere Dessouki impressed as he halted India’s World No.17 Saurav
Ghosal in straight game and will lien up against World No.3 Gregory
Gaultier in the next round.
After a trio of seeds in the form of World No.1 Raneem El Welily, World
No.14 Dipika Pallikal and World No.18 Emily Whitlock suffered shock
defeats on day one of action in the women’s draw there was a
restoration in balance as all eight matches on day two went in favour
of the higher seeded player.
World No.2 Nicol David, winner of the last women’s Qatar Classic which
was staged in 2011, led the field as she easily saw off Nicolette
Fernandes in straight-games while number three seed Camille Serme
enjoyed an equally straightforward win over compatriot Coline Aumard.
Former World No.2 Jenny Duncalf was forced to use every ounce of her
experience as she came from two-games down to overcome 18-year-old
Egyptian talent Mayar Hany to progress to the second round.
Hany, the 18-year-old from Cairo, stunned top seeded Australian Donna
Urquhart in the final round of qualification to book her place in the
main draw and showed no signs of nerves as she picked up where she left
off, taking the game to Duncalf from the off but the Englishwoman
withstood a late barrage to seal the match 6-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7.
“In those first two games she was playing so well and it surprised me a
little and I just wasn’t playing the right game,” said Duncalf.
“So in the third I tried to play a much more attacking style and I was
rewarded for it. She came back strong again at the end and I was
getting a little edgy so I’m happy I seen it through.
“It’s a long time since I came from two-games down to win but I’m very pleased to come through today.”
Draw: Second Round - Men’s Qatar Classic: PSA World Series
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
Max Lee (HKG) v [5] Simon Rösner (GER)
[Q] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v Chris Simpson (ENG)
Adrian Waller (ENG) v [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Mazen Hesham (EGY)
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Ali Farag (EGY)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA)
Fares Dessouki (EGY) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Draw: Second Round - Women’s Qatar Classic: PSA World Series
Joshana Chinappa (IND) v Yathreb Adel (EGY)
[10] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v [5] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[8] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [Q] Amina Yousry (EGY)
[Q] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v [4] Laura Massaro (ENG)
[3] Camille Serme (FRA) v [14] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[9] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [6] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
[7] Annie Au (HKG) v [11] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[16] Victoria Lust (ENG) v [2] Nicol David (MAS)
