Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Daryl Selby beats Omar Mosaad to win first title in two years

Daryl Selby (right) celebrates after beating Omar Mosaad in the Qatar final

Selby finishes strongly to halt Hammer of Thor Mosaad in Qatar final
By SEAN REUTHE and ALAN THATCHER

England’s World No.24 Daryl Selby has lifted his first PSA Tour title in over two years after he overcame top seed Omar Mosaad in the final of the QSF No.1, PSA World Tour Bronze tournament held at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar.

Selby, who celebrated his 36th birthday earlier this month, last tasted title success on the PSA Tour at the Macau Open in September 2016. In Doha, he put together a fine run of form to defeat Finland’s fellow veteran Olli Tuominen, Qatari No.1 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi and Scotland’s Greg Lobban to reach the title decider.

Mosaad, a former World No.3 and a World Championship finalist in 2015, had enjoyed wins against Jamaica’s Christopher Binnie and English duo Joshua Masters and George Parker en route to the final.

Mosaad led the pair’s head-to-head record by five wins to Selby’s one coming into the final, but Selby quickly took the initiative as he forced Mosaad into some early errors to go a game ball up, before converting on his second to go a game ahead by an 11-9 margin.

The second game went the same way as Selby powered to an 11-6 victory. Mosaad showed glimpses of danger in the third as he found himself 3-1 up after a strong start, but the experienced Selby halted any hopes of a comeback as he took 10 of the next 13 points to seal his 13th career PSA Tour title and the biggest share of the $51,000 prize purse.

“This was probably my best match,” Selby told the Qatar Tribune. “The first game was crucial for me. I put pressure on him and I didn’t let him play his game today. I am glad I managed to get it done.

“It’s my first title in a long time and I didn’t expect to win. Playing someone like Mosaad, who is the top seed, it was a nice feeling to win against him because he is a great player. I always enjoy coming to Doha. Thanks to the organisers for making us comfortable and putting on this great event.”

There were some excellent performances from British players, with Scotland’s Lobban defeating Germany Raphael Kandra to reach the semi-finals before falling to Selby in five.

England’s George Parker recorded a massive win over Australia’s Cameron Pilley in the second round before taking out Malaysia’s Ivan Yuen in the quarters before bowing out to Mosaad.

Another young Englishman, Josh Masters, beat former world junior champion Eain Yow Ng in the second round before experiencing the full force of Mosaad’s power play in the last eight. But Selby showed how to contain the Hammer of Thor in the final as he won in straight games.

PSA Bronze Men’s $51,000 QSF No.1 2018, Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, Doha, Qatar.

Final:
[3] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 (42m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [9/16] George Parker (ENG) 4-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 (46m)
[3] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [6] Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-11, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-8 (65m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [9/16] Joshua Masters (ENG) 11-8, 14-12, 11-2 (40m)
[9/16] George Parker (ENG) bt [9/16] Ivan Yuen (MAS) 11-9, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9 (57m)
[3] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [5] Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) 11-4, 5-11, 13-11, 11-8 (60m)
[6] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [2] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (48m)

Second round:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Christopher Binnie (JAM) 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 (52m)
[9/16] Joshua Masters (ENG) bt [8] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-8 (69m)
[9/16] Ivan Yuen (MAS) bt [7] Chris Simpson (ENG) 11-6, 11-9, 11-9 (41m)
[9/16] George Parker (ENG) bt [4] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 17-15, 11-5, 11-7 (42m)
[3] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [9/16] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 4-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-7 (53m)
[5] Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) bt [9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 11-9, 12-14, 11-8, 11-3 (59m)
[6] Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [9/16] Richie Fallows (ENG) 11-9, 9-11, 13-11, 11-5 (54m)
[2] Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [9/16] Mohamed Reda (EGY) 11-4, 11-7, 11-8 (28m)

First round:
[1] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bye
Christopher Binnie (JAM) bt [9/16] Peter Creed (WAL) 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 (61m)
[9/16] Joshua Masters (ENG) bt [WC] Rashid Al-Harib (QAT) 11-2, 11-4, 11-0 (13m)
[8] Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bye
[7] Chris Simpson (ENG) bye
[9/16] Ivan Yuen (MAS) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 (36m)
[9/16] George Parker (ENG) bt Tayyab Aslam (PAK) 16-14, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9 (63m)
[4] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bye
[3] Daryl Selby (ENG) bye
[9/16] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Jaymie Haycocks (ENG) 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-1 (40m)
[9/16] Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt Auguste Dussourd (FRA) 11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11 (80m)
[5] Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) bye
[6] Greg Lobban (SCO) bye
[9/16] Richie Fallows (ENG) bt Chris Hanson (USA) 11-9, 11-6, 11-4 (34m)
[9/16] Mohamed Reda (EGY) bt [WC] Hamad Al-Amri (QAT) 11-9, 11-3, 11-8 (23m)
[2] Raphael Kandra (GER) bye 

Results courtesy of www.squashinfo.com

Picture courtesy of PSA

 

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