Qatar's Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi in action against Englishman Patrick Rooney during their first round match of Qatar Classic Squash Championship which kicked off at Khalifa International and Squash Complex yesterday. Al Tamimi won the match 3-2.
Abdulla Al Tamimi is known as one of the most unpredictable players on the men’s tour because he can win a point from any position in the court with his fierce shot-making. It was the same feature that gave the Qatari star edge over Patrick Rooney yesterday as he moved into the second round of the Qatar Classic Squash Championship after an exciting five-game win over his English opponent.
World No.30 Al Tamimi, Qatar’s top ranked player, got off to a sloppy start in his first competitive match after a long break due to COVID-19 restrictions, but the 25-year-old rejuvenated well to score a 10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3 victory in 54 minutes, one of the longest matches of the first round at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, yesterday.
“It’s tough playing here at home,” Al Tamimi said on the court in a post-match comment.
“I need to raise my level always. I just want to make the whole country proud. I had some great performances last year, so I had a lot of pressure on me coming into this first round, especially with the lockdown we’ve been having because of COVID-19. I haven’t had any matches since February in Chicago,” the highest ranked Qatari player of all time, said.
“I only played one match against Tarek (Momen) in Manchester and when I came back I had to do two weeks quarantine, so all that work went for nothing. I think its (the errors) just from a lack of matches and I’m really glad I got through this one,” he said.
The rustiness was obvious in the first round as the Qatari made seven unforced errors to give first game advantage to Rooney, who was listed 52nd in latest world rankings, yesterday.
But after losing the first game, Al Tamimi came back to form taking a 9-0 lead in no time, eventually finishing the second game in just seven minutes. With his deadly backhand drop and nick shots, Al Tamimi then took a 2-1 lead before Rooney forced the decisive game.
The fifth game started with a long rally, with Tamimi winning the first point of final game. He dominated from there on to book tomorrow’s second round clash with Peru’s World No.7 Diego Elias.
“We’re really good friends and I’m really looking forward to it,” Al Tamimi said about his match with Elias. “I think it’s going to be a hell of a match and I’m sure it’s going to be fair and entertaining for everybody. I’m sure against Diego I’ll be a lot sharper,” he added.
Also yesterday, the other two Qatari players - Abdulrahman Al Malki and Syed Azlan Amjad fell at first hurdles, losing to Englishman Declan James and Egypt’s Mohamed ElSherbini.
Former World No.1 Gregory Gaultier in action against Spain’s Iker Pajares Bernabeu.
Gaultier books clash with Marwan ElShorbagy
Meanwhile, former World No.1 Gregory Gaultier was also engaged in an absorbing battle against Spain’s Iker Pajares Bernabeu yesterday which the Frenchman won 3-1 (10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 11-8) in 57 minutes.
Gaultier, who took wildcard on his return after 14 months, will clash with Egypt’s World Tour Finals winner Marwan ElShorbagy - a World No.6 in current rankings – in the second round today.
“I’m very thankful to the Qatar Squash Federation for giving me the opportunity to get the wildcard to play,” said Gaultier, the 2011 Qatar Classic champion.
“Marwan has been playing well at the last few events, he even came to Prague to train with me in September. He’s been improving a lot and it’s going to be a tough match, but I’ll do my recovery and I’ll be up for it,” he said.
Earlier, World No.42 George Parker twice made comebacks to overcome Frenchman Victor Crouin, in another thrilling battle yesterday.
The game lasted for 66 minutes, yesterday’s longest match with Parker winning it 9-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9. He will face Egypt’s World No. 2 Mohamed ElShorbagy, who will begin his quest to reclaim his top ranking from compatriot Ali Farag, today. ElShorbagy have the opportunity to retake top spot if he wins title – and Farag fails to reach the final in Doha.
Elsewhere, Frenchman Lucas Serme advanced in the $175,000 event with win over top-ranked American Todd Harrity, while England’s World No.55 Richie Fallows was first round’s last winner after he recorded win over Pakistan’s World No.44 Tayyab Aslam in straight games.
The second round, which will continue for two days, will also see newly-crowned World No.1 Farag taking on Fallows tomorrow.
