Doha: Title favourite Mohamed El Shorbagy continued his march towards the 2015 Qatar Classic crown, while India’s Joshna Chinappa booked a place in the women’s quarter finals.
At the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex here yesterday the World No.1 registered a composed 3-0 win over compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar to reach the last eight stage.
The 24-year-old World No.1 has reached the title decider on his last three appearances at the venue, in the 2012 and 2014 World Championships as well as the 2013 Qatar Classic, and put in the kind of performance that would indicate a fourth consecutive final beckons as he totally outclassed and outgunned the younger Egyptian challenger.
“Mohamed is certainly a dangerous player with a big future in front of him so I gave him a lot of respect and played probably one of my best second round games because of that,” El Shorbagy said.
“I’m not the young player coming up anymore. There are a lot of young Egyptian players coming up behind me now, so I was very happy to have my brother in my corner giving me some guidance.
“I always enjoy playing here in Doha. I have made the final 3 years in a row – I enjoy this court – and there’s always a good crowd behind me here so hopefully that will continue.”
El Shorbagy takes on Miguel Rodriguez of Colombia, who walk into the quarter-finals as an injury forced Adrian Waller of England to pull out of the contest.
In another contest, Hong Kong’s Max Lee took advantage of an under-par Simon Rönser to power into the quarter-finals.
World No.7 Rösner came through a bruising 86-minute battle with South African Stephen Coppinger in the first round but looked to be feeling the effects of that match as, sporting strapping on his right knee, he struggled to deal with Lee’s pace and variation around the court.
The Hong Kong number one, who currently occupies the World No.15 position, zipped around the court with great effect and looked a real threat to go deep into the tournament as he seen out the victory in 37-minutes.
“Everyone knows that he had a very tough first round match in which he had to put in a lot of effort to beat Stephen Coppinger, who is a very tough player, and I took advantage of that today,” said Lee.
“I feel fresh so I focused on trying to play at a fast pace and move him around the court and I think I had a good performance. I really wanted to win today so I tried very hard not to think too far ahead and make sure I got my plan right and played with good length and attacked to take the ball early.
“I can’t believe I came through in three. The last few times we have played he has won so I’m very happy to make the quarter-finals of a World Series tournament for the first time.”
Lee will square to Ryan Cuskelly of Australia in the quarter-finals tomorrow .
The Australian, took 47 minutes to overcome Chris Simpson of England in straight games 11-4, 11-6, 11-7.
In the women’s section, Chinappa will compete in the quarter-finals of the PSA World Series tournament for the first time since 2013 after defeating Egyptian opponent Yathreb Adel in straight-games.
Chinappa downed World No.1 Raneem El Welily in the first round and showed impressive composure as she produced a focused performance to defeat the 19-year-old who knocked top ranked Indian Dipika Pallikal out in the previous round.
The opening game was a nervy affair and proved to be crucial to the outcome as, after taking it 16-14 courtesy of a tense tie-break.
Thereafter, Chinappa pushed ahead to assert herself on the encounter to win 16-14, 11-8, 11-8 and move into the last eight of a World Series event for the first time since the 2013 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open – when she will face either World No.6 Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt.
“It was hard to reset for the match after beating Raneem in the first round but I tried hard not to overthink anything and to just play simple,” said Chinappa.
“That’s what I did against Raneem and I knew Yathreb would be tough because she had a great win over Dipika in the first round so I’m happy I managed to stay focused on and not think too far ahead and put in a good performance.
“I’m feeling good physically and mentally. These matches are all so hard but you have to put the work in off the court and then execute your game plan as best you can when you are on there and I think I managed to do that today.”
Elsewhere, World No.3 Laura Massaro of England was given a run for her money by compatriot Fiona Moverley but eventually secured a place in the last eight after a tense four-game encounter.
After qualifying for the main draw at the expense of higher ranked Mariam Metwally the 28-year-old from Hull got off to an impressive start as she displayed a potent blend of delicate hands and court craft to trouble Massaro from the off.
Massaro, winner of the recent Delaware Investments US Open winner, found herself on the back foot for most of the match but managed to find enough in her tank to hang in and see out the match in a victory that significantly boosts her hopes of winning back-to-back PSA World Series tournaments.
“I thought Fiona played really well,” said Massaro.
“The glass court and the lower tin really suited her game and she used height and attacked and mixed it up to make it really tough.
Joining Massaro in the quarter-finals is Nouran Gohar, who overcame fellow Egyptian teenager Amina Yousry to move into the quarter-finals of a PSA World Series tournament for the first time in her career.
The 18-year-old World No.9, who claimed the World Junior Championship title earlier this year, put in a ruthless performance to eliminate her 15-year-old compatriot, who was competing at a World Series tournament for the first time ever and just her fifth PSA tournament.
The remaining four last-sixteen matches will take place today in both the men’s and women’s sections.
The Peninsula
