Egypt's Mohamed ElShorbagy in action against Englishman George Parker during the second round of the Qatar Classic Squash Championship at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, yesterday.
Top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy yesterday overcame a tough challenge from Englishman George Parker to move into the third round of the Qatar Classic Squash Championship with a four-game win at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Also yesterday in the second round of $175,000 event, Egypt’s Fares Dessouky shocked seventh seed German Simon Rosner, while his compatriot Marwan ElShorbagy sent former World No.1 Gregory Gaultier packing in straight games.
World No. 2 ElShorbagy, who started his campaign with last match of the day, was expected to wrap things up early but Leicester-based Parker proved a tough nut to crack, making the Egyptian run from pillar to post during his 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8 win in 61 minutes.
Fares Dessouky of Egypt picking a drop shot from Simon Rosner of Germany yesterday.
ElShorbagy, seeking to reclaim his top ranking from countryman Ali Farag, looked in control as he took the first two games with World No.42 Parker taking the lead (7-6) only once in the first game. But after going down 0-2, Parker came back strongly with a 9-11 win in the third game, which saw a few stoppages as opponents complained for getting lack of room during rallies.
The Englishman continued to pose problems for ElShorbagy with a good reach and fiery strikes, maintaining a 2-point lead till the mid of fourth game before the 29-year-old Egyptian averted the danger, wrapping up the match with three consecutive points.
“He (Parker) played really well. That’s the way he plays and the way he likes playing and it was up to me to respond and up to me to find a way to win. Luckily, I did that today,” ElShorbagy, who is seeking a fourth Qatar Classic title, said yesterday.
“The fourth (game) was very tight and it could have easily gone to a fifth game. Obviously, it was a tough first match for me in the tournament, but I expected it to be so. I had a battle with both him and myself. I had to find a way on how to win and luckily I did that today,” he added.
ElShorbagy will play Youssef Ibrahim in the third round.
First surprise of second round
Earlier, Egypt’s Dessouky shocked World No.8 Rosner 3-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-8) in only 39 minutes to produce first upset of the second round, which will continue today.
The pace with which Dessouky – a World No.12 – won the contest came as a surprise particularly the first game, that lasted for only eight minutes.
Rosner tried to fight back in the next games but Dessouky was clinical throughout as he set up last-16 tie with Spain’s Borja Golan.
“Obviously, it was not an easy match. I know it was 3-0 but it was very close. I had to dig really deep to get every single point and to play at a fast pace, which wasn’t easy at all. I am happy to be through,” the 26-year-old Egyptian said after his win.
However, there were no surprises when World No.5 Paul Coll confronted Frenchman Baptiste Masotti as the Kiwi advanced with a comfortable 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 win in only 38 minutes.
In what was dubbed a mouth-watering clash yesterday, sixth seed Marwan sent former World No.1 Gaultier packing with a straight-game - 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 – victory in 40 minutes.
Although Frenchman Gaultier - a wildcard entry - showed glimpse of his top class in the match, the World No.6 Egyptian looked in control right from the start.
“When I saw the draw, I knew that playing him would be really tough. Mentally, it is the toughest first match you can get because of what he has achieved,” said Marwan.
“I admire what he has done for the game and just seeing the way he moves, the way he plays. For me, he is one of the greatest players of all time. I am really happy to be on court with him,” said Marwan.
The other second round matches yesterday, saw Gregoire Marche, Raphael Kandra, Ibrahim and Borja Golan advancing to the pre-quarter-finals.
Qatar’s Al Tamimi in action today
Meanwhile, home favourite Abdulla Al Tamimi will be eyeing a place in last-16 when he will take on Peru’s World No.7 Diego Elias at 6:30pm.
The World No.30 Qatari, who defeated Englishman Patrick Rooney in five games in his first round match, admitted errors in the duel was due to ‘lack of matches’ in the virus-affected season.
However, he promised to ‘be a lot sharper’ in today’s game.
Second seed Farag will also start his title-defense when he meets Richie Fallows of England at 4:45pm.
