Friday, March 29, 2024

Five Egyptian aces clean up in Qatar

Omar Mosaad dominates the front of the court
Omar Mosaad dominates the front of the court against Leo Au

Mosaad leads Egyptian army on the march in Qatar Classic
By NATHAN CLARKE in Doha

 

Omar Mosaad, recent runner-up in the Delaware Investments U.S. Open, 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 10 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 10 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.”

Karim Abdel Gawad on the attack against Tarek Momen
Karim Abdel Gawad on the attack against Tarek Momen

Elsewhere, Dessouki impressed as he halted India’s World No.17 Saurav Ghosal in straight games and will line 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 saw off the industrious and energetic Nicolette Fernandes in straight games, while number three seed Camille Serme enjoyed a hard-fought win over compatriot Coline Aumard. The scorelines absolutely betray the concentration required at the top level to win matches like these. 

Nicol David winds up a big backhand against Nicolette Fernandes
Nicol David winds up a big backhand against Nicolette Fernandes

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.”

Qatar Classic (PSA World Series) Doha, Qatar.

Results: Men’s First Round (Sunday November 1, 2015):
[4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [Q] Leo Au (HKG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-3, 11-9 (46m)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [Q] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (50m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (60m)
[Q] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 3-1: 11-5, 7-11, 11-3, 11-3 (33m)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-2: 5-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 11-7 (75m)
[Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Tom Richards (ENG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-6 (40m)
Fares Dessouki (EGY) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-3 (40m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 (42m)

Draw: Men’s Second Round:
[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)

Women’s First Round, Bottom Half :
[3] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [Q] Coline Aumard (FRA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 (35m)
[14] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-0 (18m)
[9] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Heba El Torky (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9 (44m)
[6] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [Q] Olivia Blatchford (USA) 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (36m)
[7] Annie Au (HKG) bt Joey Chan (HKG) 3-2: 11-9, 11-13, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7 (55m)
[11] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [Q] Mayar Hany (EGY) 3-2: 6-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 (51m)
[16] Victoria Lust (ENG) bt Tesni Evans (WAL) 3-1: 13-15, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (65m)
[2] Nicol David (MAS) bt Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (31m)

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)

Pictures courtesy of PSA

 

Read more

Latest News