CAS INTERNATIONAL SQUASH: Teenager Mostafa upsets top seed Lobban

ISLAMABAD: World junior champion Mostafa Asal of Egypt has come to the party in the senior circuit. He toppled top seed Greg Lobban of Scotland in the semi-finals of the $30,000 Chief of the Air Staff-Serena Hotels International Squash Tournament for Men here at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex on Thursday.

Mostafa took 46 minutes to account for the world No 27 and top seed Scottish player 11-5, 5-11, 11-3, 11-8 to announce his entry into top squash in a big way.

The teenager will face world No 28 Youssef Soliman in the final. Youssef showed no mercy to Karim Ali Fathi in the all-Egypt semi-final, registering a comprehensive 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6 win.

The 17-year-old Mostafa showed immense control in the court that even surprised Lobban.

After losing the first game rather easily, Lobban gave his all in the second, making every effort to make a match of it. His efforts bore fruit as he raced to a decisive lead with a couple of good nicks and boast shots to make it even.

It was all Lobban had against Mostafa, who grew in confidence with each game. The Scot was no way near to the Egyptian’s quality game in the third game.

Though the Scottish player stayed in the business till the very end in the fourth game, the youngster finished the match with a couple of rasping shots.

“I am excited to have won against one of the leading circuit pros. He is good and played well. I am working hard ever since I won the world junior crown last year. The result today is an outcome of my hard work and training,” Mostafa told ‘The News’ after the match.

He said though the junior title was the start of his career, his effort would be to make a name in the senior circuit. “The future lies in the senior circuit.”

The ladies event also saw some exciting neck-and-neck tussle with Farida Mohamed (Egypt) securing a win against countrywoman Sana Ibrahim 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 17-19, 11-9.

The match saw some rough battle between the two with Farida proving to be more aggressive. The fourth game was really exciting with both refusing to budge. Sana ultimately won the fourth game to take the match to the deciding game.

Farida controlled the fifth game in a much better way and set up a final against Swiss girl Cindy Merlo. Merlo beat her Korean opponent Jihyun Lee 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10.

The Korean had her chances and was seen leading on most occasions in the last three games but could hold on to her lead.

The finals will be played today (Friday) afternoon.

Results: Men’s semi-finals: Mostafa Asal (Egypt) bt Greg Lobban (Scotland) 11-5, 5-11, 11-3, 11-8; Youssef Soliman (Egypt) bt Karim Ali Fathi (Egypt) 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6.

Women’s semi-finals: Farida Mohamed (Egypt) bt Sana Ibrahim (Egypt) 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 17-19, 11-9; Cindy Merlo (Switzerland) bt Jihyun Lee (Korea) 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10.