INTERNATIONAL SQUASH: Amaad stuns Essam to enter quarter-finals

ISLAMABAD: Hard working Amaad Fareed of Pakistan surprised higher ranked Egyptian Shehab Essam to lead locals charge into the quarter-finals of the $20,000 Serena Hotels-Huawei International Squash Tournament here at the Mushaf Squash Complex on Sunday.

Amaad showed his class in disposing of Essam 4-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7.

Ammad gave his heart out to keep Essam at bay, making him run for every ball and keeping him guessing through the course of play.

It was nothing less than a surprise for world No 71 Essam who after winning the first game, was seen struggling against the pace of Amaad who is ranked outside hundred.

“I knew I have good chance against much higher ranked Egyptian. I played my normal game and worked even harder where it was required,” Amaad said after the match.

He will now take on 7th seed Spanish Carlos Cornes for a place in the semi-finals.

Top seed Karim Ali Fathi will have to beat Asem to make it to the pre-final. Egypt’s Karim Ali Fathi beat Yannik Omlor of Germany 11-0, 11-5, 11-4 in just 21 minutes.

Also making it to the last eight stage of the event were Asim Khan, Farhan Mehboob and Tayyab Aslam.

Farhan proved too good against local Syed Ali Mujtaba Bukhari during his 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 win in a match that lasted for 28 minutes.

Tayyab accounted for Egyptian Omar Elkattan 11-9, 11-8, 13-11 while Asim blew away Sean Conroy of Ireland 11-7,13-11, 11-4.

Results: Karim Ali Fathi (Egy) bt Yannik Omlor (Ger) 11-0, 11-5, 11-4; Asim Khan (Pak) bt Sean Conroy (Irl) 11-7, 13-11, 11-4; Ammar Altamimi (Kuw) bt Ahmad Hosny (Egy) 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7; Farhan Mehboob (Pak) bt Syed Ali Mujtaba Bukhari (Pak) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8; Amaad Fareed (Pak) bt Shehab Essam (Egy) 4-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-7; Carlos Cornes Ribadas (Esp) bt Joeri Hapers (Bel) 11-8, 11-4, 11-1; Mohamed El Shirbini (Egy) bt Chi Him Wong (HK) 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-2; Tayyab Aslam (Pak) bt Omar Elkattan (Egy) 11-9, 11-8, 13-11.