Germany's Raphael Kandra leaps to hit a shot against World No.5 Marwan ElShorbagy during their last 16 clash of the Qatar QTerminals Classic at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, yesterday.
Doha: German star Raphael Kandra stunned Egypt’s World No.5 Marwan ElShorbagy in a thrilling last 16 clash to enter the quarter-final of the Qatar QTerminals Classic, yesterday.
The opening day of the third round at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex produced exciting matches, with Kandra – a World No.22 – stealing the limelight with a hard-fought 12-14, 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7 victory over the fourth seed.
The Egyptian started the match as clear favourite, having defeated his 21-year-old opponent in all of their last four matches. ElShorbagy won the opening game on a tie-break but his errors helped Kandra to level the match.
ElShorbagy regained the lead before the German displayed his best performance to win the next two games and complete victory in 73 minutes. It is the first time that Kandra has reached a major PSA quarter-final.
“I think I need to settle a little bit to realise I am in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Classic, it means a lot to me,” Kandra, who will play his maiden Qatar Classic quarter-final, said after his victory yesterday.
The German now faces another tough task in the last 8 stage where he will meet Peruvian World No.8 Diego Elias.
“We [Kandra and Elias] recently played at the US Open and he demolished me. I have a good plan to play him and I want to show that on the court. I’m feeling comfortable here in Qatar, so I hope I can continue feeling like that,” said the German No.1.
Earlier yesterday, Elias staged a brilliant fightback from two games down to beat Gregoire Marche.
Marche secured the first two games before the 24-year-old Peruvian showed his class to brush the Frenchman aside 5-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 in 73 minutes.
It was second consecutive five-game battle for sixth seed Elias, who ousted Declan James of England in the second round on Monday.
“He [Marche] hit a lot of winners, the court is a bit cold, so the ball stays in the front. I wasn’t moving my best and he took every opportunity, so it was good from him, but I’m happy to come back and find a way to win,” said Elias.
“In the past, I would be very worried because I wasn’t the best physically, but I think I’m getting stronger and I’m ready to play a few more five gamers.”
Meanwhile, in an all-Egyptian clash yesterday, World No.13 Mazen Hesham sent Youssef Ibrahim packing in another five-game thriller.
World No.17 Ibrahim, who stunned top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy in the second round on Monday, took the first game but Hesham drew level quickly. Ibrahim managed to regain lead after Hesham wasted two game balls. Hesham, however recovered well in the last two games to seal a 9-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8 victory in 61 minutes.
“I was surprised with how well I was moving and playing,” Hesham said after the win.
“Fingers crossed, touch wood, I don’t want to jinx anything, I’ve been injured for so many years and I’m really happy to be playing squash again and doing what I love, the way I love it.”
The Egyptian will now meet Joel Makin in the quarter-finals as the eighth seed Welshman booked his last 8 berth with a comfortable win against Patrick Rooney of England.
The World No.9 put up a clinical performance to dispatch talented Rooney 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 in 38 minutes.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to get through to another semi-final and move up through the rankings without playing a top four seed,” said Makin.
The last 16 stage will continue today with four matches to be decided before the $187,500 PSA event moves to the quarter-final stage tomorrow.
Qatar QTerminals Classic
RESULTS (Last 16)
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt.
[4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-2: 12-14, 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7 (58m)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt. Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8 (61m)
[8] Joel Makin (WAL) bt. Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (38m)
[6] Diego Elias (PER) bt. Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-2: 5-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4 (73m)
TODAY’S FIXTURES
(LAST 16)
[3] Tarek Momen (EGY) vs Tom Richards (ENG)
Youssef Soliman (EGY) vs [7] Mostafa Asal (EGY)
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) vs Adrian Waller (ENG)
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) vs [2] Paul Coll (NZL)
