German No.1 overcomes training partner in Grasshopper Cup
By Squash Mad Correspondent
Fifth seed Simon Rösner claimed his anticipated place in the quarter-finals of the Grasshopper Cup in Switzerland – after beating his regular training partner.
The world No.11 twice had to come from behind to overcome local hero Nicolas Mueller, the highest-ranked Swiss player of all-time, in the opening round of the PSA World Tour International 50 squash event at the ezw-Unterwerk Selnau in Zurich.
“Really happy to beat my good mate @MuellerNicolas in a real tough battle that was decided in the 5th,” tweeted the German champion after the 9-11, 11-9, 2-11, 11-7, 11-7 victory in 82 minutes which maintains the 26-year-old’s unbeaten Tour run over his European rival, ranked 25 in the world. “Very fair & clean match. Truly enjoyable!”
Rösner will now line up against James Willstrop, the top seed from England. On his debut in the event, the World No.6 from Harrogate in Yorkshire eased past Finland number one Olli Tuominen, the event’s champion in 1999, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 in 32 minutes.
Swiss hopes were also dashed in an earlier clash when England’s No.4 seed Daryl Selby beat Lucerne-born wild card Reiko Peter 11-7, 11-8, 11-8.
“Great crowd tonight, lovely and vociferous!” 2012 champion Selby (pictured
in yellow, foreground, with Peter) told his Twitter followers later. “Managed to win in 3 but Reiko definitely improving all the time. Tarek up next on Friday.”
Selby, the World No.10 from Chelmsford in Essex, will now face sixth seed Tarek Momen as he bids to reach the final for the third year in a row.
Egyptian Momen, ranked 12 in the world, defeated Danish qualifier Kristian Frost Olesen 11-5, 12-10, 11-8 in 30 minutes.
RESULTS: Grasshopper Cup, Zurich, Switzerland. First round (top half of draw).
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (32m)
[5] Simon Rösner (GER) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 9-11, 11-9, 2-11, 11-7, 11-7 (82m)
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt [Q] Kristian Frost Olesen (DEN) 11-5, 12-10, 11-8 (30m)
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [WC] Reiko Peter (SUI) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (36m)
Grasshopper Cup images courtesy of Helen Ree