Hesham Downs Mosaad in 2nd Round Hull Upset by Nathan Clarke 14TH MAY 2015 -
21-year-old Egyptian talent Mazen Hesham produced a stunning
performance in the second round of the 2015 Allam British Open, PSA
World Series tournament, to book his place in the quarter-finals after
downing compatriot Omar Mosaad in a giant-killing act at Hull’s Airco
Arena.
The World No.32, who only found himself in the main draw following the
withdrawal of four-time World Champion Amr Shabana prior to the start
of the competition, twice came from behind in a thrilling encounter
with the towering World No.9 in which he displayed a dazzling array of
talents that was at times totally sublime.
Despite never previously making it past the qualifying stages at the
prestigious ‘Wimbledon of Squash’ the youngster followed up his first
round win over Hong Kong’s Leo Au to take out Mosaad and move into the
quarter-finals of a PSA World Series event for the first time in his
career.
“I’m so happy to be in the quarter-finals of a World Series event for
the first time in my life especially in such a big event like the
British Open,” said Hesham.
“This is one of the biggest wins of my career. It’s the second time I
have played and beaten a top ten player and it’s an awesome feeling but
it’s also a little emotional because I know him so well.
“Omar has been a role-model for me and all the other Egyptians and he’s
a great sportsman and example to all of us – he’s like a big brother to
me.
“I play him probably once a week so we know each other’s games pretty
well but I’m sure he’s going to be happy for me, he’s a good guy, and
I’m very very happy to win and I’m going to sleep as much, and eat as
much, as I can to get ready for tomorrow.”
Hesham will now face defending champion Gregory Gaultier in the last
eight after the Frenchman rolled past England’s Tom Richards, taking
just 34-minutes to complete a straight-forward win.
Elsewhere there were wins for Egyptian Tarek Momen, who defeated
compatriot Zahed Mohamed, and Colombian World No.5 Miguel Angel
Rodriguez, who kept alive his hopes of reaching the semi-finals of a
PSA World Series for the second time alive with a comfortable 3-0 win
over Karim Abdel Gawad.
“It’s been a long tough season for all the players but I need to push
especially now I’m in my second world series quarter-final of the year
and I’m going to give it my best tomorrow,” said Rodriguez
Draw – Quarter-finals (To Be Played May 15)
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v [3] Nick Matthew (ENG)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [5] Tarek Momen (EGY)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
