CAS INTERNATIONAL SQUASH: Tayyab defeats Cornes to enter quarter-finals

ISLAMABAD: Tayyab Aslam emerged as the only local survivor in the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)-Serena Hotels International Squash Tournament that enters the quarter-finals stage here at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex on Tuesday.

The top seed Pakistan player got better of Spanish Carlos Cornes Ribadas 11-4, 11-5, 12-10 in a match that gave more an exhibition of body play rather than a technical battle.

Cornes was too aggressive and was often seen questioning referees’ decisions. The first two games saw an easy passage for the local hope who gave no chance to the Spaniard to even come closer to the level of his game.

The real action was at display in the close third game that saw Cornes getting engaged in arguments and even took injury time out to sooth his finger.

All his tactics went in vain as Tayyab won the extended third game to earn a place in the quarter-finals.

“My opponent has made it a rough and tough game. I had a complete control of the game right from the word go. Cornes undue tactics in the third however stretched the game,” Tayyab said.

Pakistan No 1 will now play Karim Ali Fathi of Egypt who had to work hard to beat another Pakistani Mohammad Asim Khan 11-5, 8-11,11-4, 11-9 in a match that lasted for 51 minutes.

Pakistan’s other hope Farhan Mehboob snatched defeat from jaws of win as after winning the first two games he showed signs of tiredness. In a must win fifth game, he fought neck-and-neck game at 8-8 but could not held on to advantage losing against Mazen Gamal. The Egyptian won 10-12, 11-13, 11-2, 11-4, 11-9 following 52 minutes battle.

The Women’s International that also being played on the sideline of CAS Open saw Madina Zafar of Pakistan beating Rushna Mehboob 5-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 in a match that was also marred by body play.

Madina came from behind to win against Rushna in a contest that lasted for 30 minutes.

Results: CAS Open: Greg Loban (Sco) bt Henry Leung (HK) 11-9, 11-4, 11-6; Mohamed Elshirbini (Egy) bt Shehab Essam (Egy) 11-8, 11-5, 11-6; Mazen Gamal (Egy) bt Farhan Mehboob (Pak) 10-12, 11-13, 11-2, 11-4, 11-9; Mostafa Asal (Egy) bt Chi Him Wong (HK) 11-7, 11-6, 11-4; Karim Ali Fathi (Egy) bt M Asim Khan (Pak) 11-5, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9; Tayyab Aslam (Pak) bt Carlos Cornes Ribadas (Esp) 11-4, 11-5, 12-10; Youssef Soliman (Egy) bt Martin Svec (Cze) 11-3, 11-6, 11-8; Mohamed Reda (Egy) bt Tsz Kwan Lau (HK) 11-5, 11-8, 11-7.

Women’s International: Farida Mohamed (Egy) bt Nimra Aqeel (Pak) 11-1, 11-1, 11-1; Riffat Khan (Pak) bt Noorul Ain Ejaz (Pak) 11-8, 11-8, 11-4; Moqaddas Ashraf (Pak) bt Noorul Huda (Pak) 11-7, 11-5, 11-8; Sana Ibrahim (Egy) bt Farah Momen (Egy) 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, 11-5; Amna Fayyaz (Pak) bt Sammer Anjum (Pak) 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7; Jihun Lee (Kor) bt Arezou Mousavi (Iri) 11-1, 11-2 (retd); Cindy Merlo (Sui) bt Yura Choe (Kor) 11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2; Madina Zafar (Pak) bt Rushna Mehboob (Pak) 5-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4.