Cuskelly And Lee Book Maiden World Series Quarter-final Berths In Qatar by Nathan Clarke
photos squashpics.com
November 2, 2015
- Australian Ryan Cuskelly and Hong Kong’s Max Lee will compete in the
quarter-finals of a PSA World Series tournamnet for the first time in
their careers after coming through their second round encounters at the
2015 Qatar Classic at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha
today (Nov 2).
Just one week after collecting the biggest PSA World Tour title of his
career at the Welaptega Bluenose Classic and in the midst of his best
ever form Cuskelly produced a stunning performance, hitting
scintillating winners from all angles, as he swept aside England’s
Chris Simpson in straight-games.
“I maybe didn’t have the confidence before that I could beat anyone in
the world and I’ve had a few good wins and results in big tournament so
I’ve got that belief now,” said Cuskelly.
“There was a time when I was stuck at 40 in the world for nine years or
so and I thought maybe I wouldn’t actually make it but I stuck in and
worked really hard and the last six months have been really good.
“I can’t believe I’m in the quarter-finals. I’ve been coming here for a
few years and I’ve always watched the quarters and the semis so to be
part of it now is awesome and I think I have a good chance in the next
round as well.”
Cuskelly will face Colombian World No.5 Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the
quarters while Lee will face World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy after
downing German World No.6 Simon Rösner 3-0 to book his maiden last
eight appearance.
“I can’t believe I came through in three,” said Lee. “The last few
times we have played he has won so I’m very happy to make the
quarter-finals of a World Series tournament for the first time.
“I feel fresh so I focused on trying to play at a fast pace and move
him around the court and I think I had a good performance. I really
wanted to win today so I tried very hard not to think too far ahead and
make sure I got my plan right and played with good length and attacked
to take the ball early.”
In the women’s draw England’s World No.3 Laura Massaro, winner of the
first PSA World Series tournament of the season two weeks ago at the
Delaware Investments U.S. Open, celebrated her 32nd birthday by booking
a place in the last eight of the tournament in Doha.
She was forced to work hard for her berth in the quarters by compatriot
Fiona Moverley who blended delicate hands and court craft to trouble
Massaro from the off but the experience 2013 World Champion managed to
find enough in her tank to hang in and see out the match.
“I didn’t play 100 per cent at my best and when you do that against
someone as dangerous as her you can get hurt but I felt like I worked
her game out as the match went on,” said Massaro.
“Every game was tight so I’m pleased to get off in four games. My first
round match was quick and then I had a rest day yesterday so I feel
like I’ll be better for the remainder of the tournament after having a
tough test today.”
Massaro will take on Egyptian teenager Nouran Gohar, the World Junior
Champion, in the quarter-finals which will also feature India’s number
two Joshana Chinappa, who followed up her first round win over World
No.1 Raneem El Welily to defeat Yathreb Adel and reach the last eight
of a World Series tournament for the first time since 2013.
“It was hard to reset for today’s match after beating Raneem in the
first round but I tried hard not to overthink anything and to just play
simple,” said Chinappa.
“That’s what I did against Raneem and I knew Yathreb would be tough
because she had a great win over Dipika in the first round so I’m happy
I managed to stay focused on and not think too far ahead and put in a
good performance.”
Results: Second Round (Top Half) - Men’s Qatar Classic: PSA World Series
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 11-3 (39m)
Max Lee (HKG) bt [5] Simon Rösner (GER) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (37m)
[Q] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 3-0:11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (47m)
[3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) - Walkover
Draw: Second Round (Bottom Half) - Men’s Qatar Classic: PSA World Series (To be played Nov 3)
[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 (Bottom Half) - Women’s Qatar Classic: PSA World Series (To be played Nov 3)
[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)
