Magnificent Mazen stuns Mosaad to reach last eight in Hull
By NATHAN CLARKE in Hull
The 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.
“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 straightforward 11-3, 11-1, 11-7 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 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.
PSA World Series – 2015 Allam British Open, Hull, England:
Results – Second Round (Bottom Half)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 (28m)
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt [Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 3-1: 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (46m)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-2: 10-12, 11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7 (65m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [Q] Tom Richards (ENG) 3-0: 11-3, 11-1, 11-7 (34m)
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)
Picture courtesy of PSAÂ