Egyptians, Loban enter CAS Int’l Squash semis

ISLAMABAD: Barring top seed Scottish Greg Loban, all other three spots in the CAS Open Squash semis were seized by Egyptians at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex Wednesday.

Led by the potential future star Mostafa Asal, Karim Ali Fathi and Youssef Soliman made it to the pre-final with comfortable wins. The only Pakistani survivor Tayyab Aslam bowed down meekly in an unexpected way. Though there were hopes of tough match between him and Egyptian Karim Ali Fathi, it turned out to be mere one-sided affair. Karim however, turned out to be more opportunist, winning the quarter-finals comfortably 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 in a match that lasted just 43 minutes. Tayyab played a lose game, giving one opportunity and another to his well versed opponent whose victory was never in doubt once he showed aggression at the outset.

Tayyab had his chances during the match but was unable to capitalize these more due to his poor finishing and his lack of control at the front half of the court.

Karim was too aggressive and made Pakistani player run for every point. “I did not play to my full real potential. The Egyptian played better game. I tried my best to come up with his aggressive tempo, partially I succeeded but was unable to keep up the same tempo throughout the quarter-final,” Tayyab said.

Junior world champion Mostafa Asal got better of his opponent Mazen Gamal 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 to earn a place in the semis. Following a shaky start where he lost the first game against Mazen, Asal took control of the proceedings winning the next three in style.

Pakistan’s leading lady Madina Zafar gave good account of herself before losing to Korean girl Jihyun Lee.

Madina won the first game 12-10 and was leading 6-2 in the second when she lost the battle against stamina as Lee won the next three 11-7, 11-3, 11-6. Provided she works hard on her stamina, Madina has got a bright future ahead of her as her reach, shots and understanding of the game is far better than any other around.

All other local girls also lost their quarter-final matches rather tamely.

Results: CAS Open: Greg Loban (Sco) bt Mohamed Elshirbini (Egy) 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 (55 Min); Mostafa Asal (Egy) bt Mazen Gamal (Egy) 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (38 Min); Karim Ali Fathi (Egy) bt Tayyab Aslam (Pak) 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 (43 Min); Youssef Soliman (Eg) bt Mohamed Reda (Egy 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (50 Min).

Women event: Farida Mohamed (Egy) bt Riffat Khan (Pak) 11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (15 Min); Sana Ibrahim (Egy) bt Moqaddas Ashraf (Pak) 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 (17 Min); Cindy Merlo (Sui) bt Amna Fayyaz (Pak) 11-4, 11-4, 11-9 (17 Min) and Jihyun Lee (Kor) bt Madina Zafar (Pak) 10-12, 11-7, 11-3, 11-6 (26 Min).

Semis line-up: CAS Open: Greg Loban vs Mostafa Asal at 1200; Karim Ali Fathi vs Youssef Soliman at 1300 Hrs

Women semis: Farida Mohamed vs Sana Ibrahim at 1400 followed by Cindy Merlo vs Jihyun Lee