Tournament top seeds to meet in Dubai Squash Cup final
Gawad takes semifinal after Iqbal retires injured
26 November (Dubai) – Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) and Chris Simpson (ENG) will face off in tomorrow’s final, the first meeting between the world #17 and world #23. The final starts at 7pm at the Nad Al Sheba Club and is free and open to the public.
The first semifinal of the day started out so close. Nasir Iqbal (PAK) gave top-seed Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) a good first game that barely went Gawad’s way in extra points. But three points into the second game, Iqbal retired injured.
Gawad played brilliantly in the first game, favoring the corners with some lovely shots. Iqbal wowed with impressive, if not always lovely, pick-ups and at 10-9 moved into the lead. But the Pakistani gave up two game balls, and Gawad pressed in, taking the game 14-12. Iqbal favored his XXXX side yesterday and throughout today’s game, and his concession at the start of the second set was unfortunate, but not a shock.
“I feel sorry for him. I wish he gets well soon and ready for next season,” Gawad said. “I was expecting a very tough match today and had to focus really well from beginning to end. I’m just happy to be in the finals and put all my concentration for tomorrow’s match.”
The next match was a study in contrasts – Simpson’s solid, English style, and Khan’s aggressive attack. Simpson, ranked world #23, had a good showing last week in Doha, making the world championship’s main draw. Khan, too, made the main draw at worlds, and has been slowly climbing toward his former #10 high from his current #78.
In the end, the unflinching Englishman won out, returning everything Khan sent at him. Khan started out well, quickly racking up a 7-3 lead in the first game with a wide and varied game. At least four times, Khan sent out amazing straight drives off the backhand to trouble Simpson. Simpson played steady throughout, with solid pick-ups and brilliant lengths. At 4-7 down in the first game, he took control and went on a straight run for the win. From that point on, Simpson dominated, winning the match in three sets to enter the final.
“I’m very, very happy to win,” Simpson said. “It wasn’t a cruise, it was a very tough match with lots of concentration requited.”
“I’ve watched him [Gawad] play a lot,” he continued. “It’s quite nice to play someone new.”
Tomorrow’s event kicks off with an exhibition doubles match at 6:30 pm between qualifiers Ahysan Ayaz (PAK) and Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) versus Sandeep Ramachandran (IND) and Mike Lewis (USA). The final starts at 7pm at the Nad Al Sheba Club. It is free and open to the public.
“We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s final. It should be a great match,” said Aroop Mishra, Event Promoter. “We hope Dubai comes out in force to enjoy this amazing display of athletic skill.” The Dubai Squash Cup has attracted 32 players from 11 countries in the Main Draw. It is powered by A2Squash and supported by the UAE Squash Association. Matches are free and open to the public.
Mohd Ali Tournament Director UAE Squash Association
Full results below. For live results, follow the tournament’s official Twitter account @A2Squash.
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v Nasir Iqbal (PAK)
2-0 to Gawad after Iqbal retires injured
14-12, 3-0
18 min
Chris Simpson (ENG) v Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK)
3-0 to Simpson
11-7, 11-7, 11-8
39 min
Malaysia’s Azan upsets draw in Day 2 of Dubai Squash Cup
24 November (Dubai) –Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) upset Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) in a five-setter full of beautiful rallies in Day 2 of the Dubai Squash Cup.
Azan took the first game handily against the Asian Games gold medalist, 11-5. But Al Muzayen was cool and calculated in the second, sending out some great precision shots and taking it 11-8. Al Muzayen kept his play tight in the third, despite some apparent leg pain, but Azan’s pick-ups were on point and the game went his way. Al Muzayen started down 2-9 in the fourth, but battled back, going on a lovely run of corner drops to level it at 9-9 and then take the game. But Azan had a bit more life in him for the decider, and though the two went point for point, he claimed the game and match in extra points.
“His shots were just amazing,” Azan said. “In the third and fourth games, he attacked me more on the inside of the corners. In the third game, I was leading 9-1 and suddenly the game changed. By then he got his feeling and I didn’t have mine. In the fifth set, we both fought for it, but it ended up for me.”
On the other courts, Farhan Mehboob (PAK) was inches away from an upset of his own against New Zealand’s Paul Coll, two games up and leading well into the third until his racquet string broke, along with his focus. He came back with a lovely boast that would have fooled Coll had it not hit the tin. From then on, Coll owned the match, drawing out unforced error after error from the unraveling Mehboob. The decider was close, with the players sticking to basics and biding their time for the right opening, until at 4-3, when Coll went on a five-point run. Mehboob found some equilibrium in the end and managed to take two more points, declining a stroke in his favor, before Coll closed it out 11-5.
“It was very tough, changing courts and tin sizes. I think he [Mehboob] struggled with the tin change,” Coll said. “I think my fitness in the end was what won it for me.”
Qualifying juggernaut Ahmed Effat Ashoush’s run came to an end today, but not before he troubled fifth-seed Nasir Iqbal (PAK) through four games. The Egyptian, seeded 17th in the qualifying draw, took the third game off the established Iqbal, breaking away at 6-3 for the win. Ashoush looked poised to send it to a decider, quickly jumping ahead 7-3 in the fourth with some solid squash. But Iqbal stayed steady and calmly ate up the points to level it at 8-8 before closing out the match.
Elsewhere, rankings predicted the outcomes. Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) took his match against the up-and-coming Pakistani Tayyab Aslam. Khan moved Aslam around deftly in the first game, but the younger player showed spirit, taking the second game off Khan in extra points before Khan claimed the match in games three and four.
UAE-based Khawaja Adil Maqbool also exited the tournament today in a 3-0 loss to Egypt’s Zahed Mohamed.
Mohd Ali
Tournament Director
UAE Squash Association
Full results below. For live results, follow the tournament’s official Twitter account @A2Squash.
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Christo Potgieter (RSA)
3-1 to Abouelghar
11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 11-6
35 min
Abouelghar will play Nasir Iqbal (PAK) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Nasir Iqbal (PAK) v Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY)
3-1 to Iqbal
11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9
43 min
Iqbal will play Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) v Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW)
3-2 to Azan
11-5, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10
45 min
Azan will play Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) v Tayyab Aslam (PAK)
3-1 to Khan
11-8, 12-14, 11-3, 11-9
52 min
Khan will play Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Chris Simpson (ENG) v Hossam Nasser (EGY)
Nasser retired injured in 3rd set
11-9, 11-0, 6-1
15 min
Simpson will play Paul Coll (NZL) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Paul Coll (NZL) v Farhan Mehboob (PAK)
3-2 to Coll
5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5
65 min
Coll will play Chris Simpson (ENG) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v Khawaja Adil Maqbool (PAK)
3-0 to Mohamed
11-4, 11-5, 11-5
25 min
Mohamed will play Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v Ammar Altamimi (KUW)
3-2 to Gawad
5-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-3
62 min
Gawad will play Zahed Mohamed (EGY) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
MAIN DRAW ROUND 2 MATCH REPORT
by Liesl Goecker, Tournament Coordinator
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Christo Potgieter (RSA)
3-1 to Abouelghar
11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 11-6
35 min
Abouelghar will play Nasir Iqbal (PAK) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Nasir Iqbal (PAK) v Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY)
3-1 to Iqbal
11-8, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9
43 min
Qualifying juggernaut Ahmed Effat Ashoush’s run came to an end today, but not before he troubled fifth-seed Nasir Iqbal (PAK) through four games. Iqbal took the first two games easily before the Egyptian, seeded 17th in the qualifying draw, broke away at 6-3 in the third for the win. Ashoush looked poised to send it to a decider, quickly jumping ahead 7-3 in the fourth with some solid squash. But Iqbal stayed steady and calmly ate up the points to level it at 8-8 before closing out the match.
Iqbal will play Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) v Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW)
3-2 to Azan
11-5, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10
45 min
Muhd Asuraf Azan (MAS) upset Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) in a five-setter full of beautiful rallies. Azan took the first game handily against the Asian Games gold medalist, 11-5. But Al Muzayen was cool and calculated in the second, sending out some great precision shots and taking it 11-8. Al Muzayen kept his play tight in the third, despite some apparent leg pain, but Azan’s pick-ups were on point and the game went his way. Al Muzayen started down 2-9 in the fourth, but battled back, going on a lovely run of corner drops to level it at 9-9 and then take the game. But Azan had a bit more life in him for the decider, and though the two went point for point, he claimed the game and match in extra points.
“It was not easy, first of all. He’s a very good player. I was just focused on my game all the time. His shots were just amazing. In the third and fourth games, he attacked me more on the inside of the corners. In the third game, I was leading 9-1 and suddenly the game changed. By then he got his feeling and I didn’t have mine. In the fifth set, we both fought for it, but it ended up for me.”
Azan will play Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) v Tayyab Aslam (PAK)
3-1 to Khan
11-8, 12-14, 11-3, 11-9
52 min
Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) put his full skill on display in his match against Tayyab Aslam (PAK). Khan dominated the first game, moving Aslam around deftly. But Aslam kept his head, and came back from 3-10 down to pick up five more points before Khan took it 11-8. Aslam fought back in a second game punctuated by long, splendid rallies that kept Khan busy and sent the game into extra points. It took everything Aslam had to close it out, but close it he did at 14-12. Khan’s experience and court presence became apparent, though, in the third game. And while Aslam fought well in the fourth, coming back from 5-10 down to almost level it 9-11, Khan took the game and match with a final, lovely shot.
Khan: “It was a good match against Tayyab Aslam. He’s an up-and-coming player from Pakistan and improving day by day. Today the court was very bouncy and the tin was 19 inches, so I had to make a game plan to play in this type of court. I’m happy the game plan worked out. It’s good to see tournaments in the UAE now. Special thanks to the organizers and sponsors for organizing such a great event. The venue, hospitality, everything is very good.”
Khan will play Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Chris Simpson (ENG) v Hossam Nasser (EGY)
Nasser retired injured in 3rd set
11-9, 11-0, 6-1
15 min
Chris Simpson (ENG) shot through to the Quarterfinals after Hossam Nasser (EGY) retired injured after 15 minutes of play. Simpson was strong and solid in the first game, moving Nasser all over the court. The Egyptian appeared tired and in obvious discomfort in the second game, and Simpson pressed the advantage in a shut-out set. Nasser hung on into the third, nabbing one point off Simpson before retiring with a shin injury.
Simpson will play Paul Coll (NZL) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Paul Coll (NZL) v Farhan Mehboob (PAK)
3-2 to Coll
5-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5
65 min
Farhan Mehboob (PAK) looked poised to win in three straight sets, taking his first two games against New Zealand’s Paul Coll and leading well into the third. But the tiniest things can change the course of a match, and 8-6 up in the third, Mehboob’s racquet string – and game – snapped. His returned with a lovely boast that would have fooled Coll had it not hit the tin. From then on, Coll owned the match, drawing out unforced error after error from the unraveling Mehboob. The decider was close, with the players sticking to basics and biding their time for the right opening, until at 4-3, when Coll went on a five-point run. Mehboob found some equilibrium in the end and managed to take two more points, declining a stroke in his favor, before Coll closed it out 11-5.
Coll: “It was very tough, changing courts and tin sizes. I think he [Mehboob] struggled with the tin change. I think my fitness in the end was what won it for me.”
Coll will play Chris Simpson (ENG) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v Khawaja Adil Maqbool (PAK)
3-0 to Mohamed
11-4, 11-5, 11-5
25 min
Mohamed will play Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v Ammar Altamimi (KUW)
3-2 to Gawad
5-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-3
62 min
Gawad will play Zahed Mohamed (EGY) in tomorrow’s quarterfinal.
Competition heats up in dynamic second round of qualifiers
22 November (Dubai) - Today saw several marathon matches, as competition heated up in the second round of qualifiers for the Dubai Squash Cup. Lance Beddoes (NZL), Mike Lewis (USA), and Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) toughed out hour-long matches to take a place in tomorrow’s Main Draw and have a shot at the trophy.
“I never did play him before. I’m happy with my performance, really,” said Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) of his opponent. “I needed this win. It was a hard one.”
Ashoush played a four-game, 63-minute match against Pakistan’s Ahsan Ayaz. The two played a physical and contentious game, pitting Ayaz’s speed against the larger Ashoush’s size and driving the crowd wild after several quick and brilliant rallies.
Mike Lewis (USA) also played a long match in a study of contrasting styles against Khaled Mostafa (EGY). Lewis’ brawler approach took the match over Mostafa’s precision, but it could very well have gone either way. Mostafa sent Lewis to every corner, but Lewis ran out the rallies and deployed his counterdrop effectively. The third game saw some brilliant shots by both in a fast exchange that ended with a tin shot by Mostafa. Lewis took the game with a gentle corner drop, 11-5, but Mostafa retaliated in the fourth game, deftly moving Lewis around the court. Lewis was all determination in the last game, and down 3-4 when he went on a run to take the game and match 11-5.
Lance Beddoes (NZL) took his match against Pablo Rawden (ENG) in a 60-minute test of endurance that saw both players playing a wide game. It came down to the decider, which went into extra points, as Beddoes and Rawden battled it out, ultimately going Beddoes’ way. The Dubai Squash Cup, Dubai’s first professional tournament of 2014, starts tomorrow with 32 players from xx countries in the Main Draw. It is powered by A2Squash and supported by the UAE Squash Association.
Mohd Ali
Tournament Director
UAE Squash Association
Full results below. For live results, follow the tournament’s official Twitter account @A2Squash.
Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) v Sandeep Ramachandran (IND)
3-0 to Khan
11-5, 12-10, 11-6
30 min
Lance Beddoes (NZL) v Pablo Rawden (ENG)
3-2 to Beddoes
14-12, 7-11, 11-8, 3-11, 12-10
60 min
Christo Potgieter (RSA) v Saad Shahid (PAK)
3-0 to Potgieter
11-4, 11-3, 11-3
15 min
Mike Lewis (USA) v Khaled Mostafa (EGY)
3-2 to Lewis
11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5
55 min
Patrick Miescher (SUI) v Abbas Maniar (USA)
3-0 to Miescher
11-5, 11-7, 11-2
25 min
Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) v Ahsan Ayaz (PAK)
3-1 to Ashoush
11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 13-11
63 min
Hossam Nasser (EGY) v Youssef Abdalla (ENG)
3-0 to Nasser
11-7, 11-5, 11-8
21 min
Shehab Essam Hosney (EGY) v David Haley (WAL)
3-2 to Hosny
9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 6-11, 11-3
55 min
Qualifying Draw Sees Shake Ups in First Round of Dubai Squash Cup
21 November (Dubai) - – The action started fast and furious in the first round of qualifying matches for the Dubai Squash Cup. A couple of upsets shook up tomorrow’s draw, sending two highly seeded qualifiers home early: Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) flourished in a contentious match against fifth seed Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA), and Khaled Mostafa (EGY) took his match against sixth seed Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) in three nailbiting games.
But local player Ammar Saleem (UAE) stole the show in his match against Egypt’s Hossam Nasser. Though the 13-year-old ultimately lost, he proved himself as a talent to watch in his professional debut. Saleem took the first game 11-8 while Nasser found his legs. Nasser went on to take the match in the next three games, using his size and strength to play a deep game that frustrated Saleem’s returns. But the youngster didn’t make it easy, giving Nasser trouble in the corners. Saleem kept his cool all the way till the end, down 10-3, when he drew out an error and stroke from Nasser. The more experienced player then took the game and match 11-5.
“I was quite nervous in the beginning, but after the first game I started feeling better,” Saleem said. “I tried to play back and tried to move him around, play long shots because he’s big and tall. I focused a lot on the game because I really wanted to win, but he knew how to play against me.”
Full results below. For live results, follow the tournament’s official Twitter account @A2Squash.
Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) v Kareem Akmal Hussein Elrayes (UAE)
3-0 to Ayaz
11-6, 11-3, 11-1
20 min
Ayaz will play Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) v Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA)
3-1 to Ashoush
4-11, 11-6, 11-9, 12-10
49 min
Ashoush will play Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Saad Shahid (PAK) v Mubarak Mohsin (PAK)
W/O to Shahid
Shahid will play Christo Potgieter (RSA) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Christo Potgieter (RSA) v Adham Saleem (UAE)
3-0 to Potgieter
11-6, 11-3, 11-4
18 min
Potgieter will play Saad Shahid (PAK) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Sandeep Ramachandran (IND) v Amaad Fareed (PAK)
W/O to Ramachandran
Ramachandran will play Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) v Jamal Al-Barwani (OMA)
3-1 to Khan
11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4
40 min
Khan will play Sandeep Ramachandran (IND) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Lance Beddoes (NZL) v Ali Miski (LEB)
3-1 to Beddoes
11-0, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7
25 min
Beddoes will play Pablo Rawden (ENG) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Pablo Rawden (ENG) v Amine Regaye (UAE)
3-0 to Rawden
11-0, 11-8, 11-4
22 min
Rawden will play Lance Beddoes (NZL) Beddoes will play Pablo Rawden (ENG) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Khaled Mostafa (EGY) v Bader Al Hussaini (KUW)
3-0 to Mostafa
12-10, 11-9, 13-11
21 min
Mostafa will play Mike Lewis (USA) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Mike Lewis (USA) v Muhammad Faheem Khan (PAK)
3-0 to Lewis
11-3, 11-5, 11-3
20 min
Lewis will play Khaled Mostafa (EGY) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Patrick Miescher (SUI) v Talat Mehmood (UAE)
3-0 to Miescher
11-2, 11-4, 11-1
15 min
Miescher will play Abbas Maniar (USA) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Abbas Maniar (USA) v Ali Bader Al-Ramzi (KUW)
W/O to Maniar
Maniar will play Patrick Miescher (SUI) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Youssef Abdalla (ENG) v Niraj Makija (UAE)
3-0 to Abdalla
11-6, 11-8, 11-8
18 min
Abdalla will play Hossam Nasser (EGY) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Hossam Nasser (EGY) v Ammar Saleem (UAE)
3-1 to Nasser
8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
29 min
Nasser will play Youssef Abdalla (ENG) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
Shehab Essam Hosny (EGY) v Ahmed Kremil (UAE)
3-0 to Hosny
11-3, 11-3, 11-2
17 min
Hosny will play David Haley (WAL) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.
David Haley (WAL) v Mohammed Adel Al Khanfar (KUW)
3-0 to Haley
11-5, 11-3, 11-3
25 min
Haley will play Shehab Essam Hosny (EGY) in tomorrow’s second qualifying round.