Egyptian makes it a hat-trick of titles in Arizona
By NATHAN CLARKE
In-form Egyptian Omar Abdel Meguid, the 27-year-old from Giza, extended his recent mid-tier dominance on the PSA World Tour to collect a third consecutive PSA M15 tournament by defeating home hope Todd Harrity in the final of the 2016 Ganem Vein Institute Cactus Classic 2016 in Phoenix, USA.
The World No.33, who now has 11 PSA World Tour titles to his name, came into the 16-man main draw tournament in the form of his life having won back-to-back tournaments for the first time in his career, at the Qatar Circuit II and Oregon Open, and his confidence was evident as he commanded the field from round one.
The powerful giant, who stands 191cm (6ft 3in) tall, swept aside World No.81 Jaymie Haycocks, No.69 Reiko Peter and World No.67 Mahesh Mangaonkar to set up the title-decider with No.52 Harrity and his big match experience came to the fore early on as he stormed out of the gates to take the opening there points and set up an easy first game win.
Harrity fought back in the second but, when tied at 10-10, failed to convert his chance as Meguid opened up a commanding 2-0 lead. American number one Harrity showed his court craft and skill in the third as he slowed the pace to frustrate the Egyptian but Meguid upped his levels again in the fourth to power to victory and take the title 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-4.
David Foley writes: The staff at Foley Squash was up early preparing for the Cactus Classic 2016 final. Players had been remarking all week about the quality of the court. A big thanks go out to David Carr and his crew at McWil for their skill and craftsmanship in building a superb product.
As Omar Abdel Meguid and Todd Harrity were warming up, there was an obvious feeling that the mojo in the crowd was firmly behind the #1 US player Harrity. Play began with Omar taking the first three points. Not a good start for the US. Meguid took the first game 11-7.
The second held hope for the biased spectators, when the game was tied at 10-10. Meguid was too strong and took the next two points, giving him a commanding 2-0 lead.
Harrity slowed the pace in the third with some well placed lobs and was off to a 5-1 start. Todd kept the US hopes alive winning 11-9. Meguid, however, was not to be denied.
Harrity was no match for the big Egyptian, and fell quickly giving Omar Meguid his third 15K title in a row. Dohar Qatar, Portland Oregon, and now Phoenix Arizona!
Well played, and congratulations to Omar. We look for big things from him on tour.
Long week, but loads of fun for all involved. Thanks to all of the players for keeping us entertained throughout the event. Thanks to all of the donors, especially Dr Jim Ganem for stepping up to make this event happen.
$15,000 Men’s Ganem Vein Institute Cactus Classic 2016, Foley Squash Pavillion, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Final:
[1] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [3] Todd Harrity (USA) 11-7, 12-10, 9-11, 11-4 (54m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [5] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 (48m)
[3] Todd Harrity (USA) bt [6] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 11-5, 14-16, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5 (65m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [7] Reiko Peter (SUI) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (32m)
[5] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) bt [4] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5 (75m)
[3] Todd Harrity (USA) bt Chris Hanson (USA) 8-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 (70m)
[6] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) bt [2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9 (45m)
1st round:
[1] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt Jaymie Haycocks (ENG) 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (39m)
[7] Reiko Peter (SUI) bt [Q] Sean Conroy (IRL) 11-3, 11-8, 11-2 (28m)
[5] Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 (79m)
[4] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) bt [Q] Clinton Leeuw (RSA) 11-4, 13-11, 7-11, 11-6 (43m)
[3] Todd Harrity (USA) bt [Q] David Baillargeon (CAN) 7-11, 11-9, 11-1, 11-3 (44m)
Chris Hanson (USA) bt [8] Peter Creed (WAL) 3-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-2, 14-12 (81m)
[6] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) bt [Q] Valentino Bong (MAS) 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 (26m)
[2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt [WC] Faraz Khan (USA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (32m)
Qualifying finals:
Valentino Bong (MAS) bt Joe Chapman (IVB) 12-10, 11-9, 11-4 (36m)
Sean Conroy (IRL) bt Reuben Phillips (ENG) 11-7, 7-11, 4-11, 12-10, 12-10 (74m)
Clinton Leeuw (RSA) bt Mark Broekman (ENG) 11-5, 14-12, 13-11 (37m)
David Baillargeon (CAN) bt Addeen Idrakie (MAS) 11-7, 11-5, 10-12, 1-11, 12-10 (83m)
1st qualifying round:
Joe Chapman (IVB) bt Sam Gould (USA) 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 (34m)
Valentino Bong (MAS) bt Mauricio Sanchez de la Paz (MEX) 16-14, 11-8, 11-9 (46m)
Sean Conroy (IRL) bt Charlie Johnson (ENG) 5-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5 (52m)
Reuben Phillips (ENG) bt Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) 14-12, 11-8, 11-9 (52m)
Mark Broekman (ENG) bt Cameron Stafford (CAY) 11-4, 11-3, 15-13 (24m)
Clinton Leeuw (RSA) bt Heraclio Salaiz Estrada (MEX) 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (17m)
David Baillargeon (CAN) bt Juan Gomez Dominguez (MEX) 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 (37m)
Addeen Idrakie (MAS) bt Peter Fantich (USA) 9-11, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6 (40m)
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