Frahan Mehboob, Tayyab enter int’l squash semis

ISLAMABAD: Top Pakistani players Farhan Mehboob and Tayyab Aslam qualified for the semifinals of Serena Hotels-Huawei Pakistan International Squash Tournament setting up dates with foreign players following quarterfinal action at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex on Tuesday.

Farhan and Tayyab both made short work of their opponents during one-sided quarter-final matches. Against all expectations Farhan Mehboob didn’t allow his opponent Farhan Zaman to play long and calculated game, curtailing him to size during 11-2, 4-11, 11-5, 11-3 win. So fast was the pace of the game that Farhan Zaman was unable to restrain Mehboob from playing shots of his likings. Backhand dip shots, trickle boost and squeeze boost were at display during Farhan Mehboob’s exhibition of squash which had no answer from his opponent. Except from the second game where Mehboob was seen playing some reckless shots, he totally dominated his quarter-final against Farhan Zaman. “Zaman played the game of my liking. Though I was prepared for lengthy game, Farhan Zaman decided to make it short and I was happy with that.

The fast pace game allowed me to play shots of my liking which I did,” Farhan Mehboob said.

So dominating was Mehboob that he allowed just three points to Zaman in the last game. “Farhan Zaman tried to be too aggressive. Such aggression always suits my game. Same has happened here,” Mehboob said. Farhan now has a tough task ahead in the semis where he meets top seed Youssef Ibrahim (Egypt). The Egyptian world No 43 was lucky to have beaten local lad Asim Khan. Except for stamina and urge to win, Asim had all the ingredients to beat the Egyptian but never looked in a mood to surprise his superior opponent. Youssef ultimately defeated Asim 13-11, 11-13, 11-5, 11-9 in an interesting quarter-final that lasted for 44 minutes. Asim had his chances in the match but was unable to covert these into victory. The second semifinal will see the South Asian Games gold medalist Tayyab Aslam taking on Mohamed ElSherbini (Egypt) who defeated Rui Soares (Portugal) 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 in the last quarter-finals of the day. Tayyab was too dominant against Egyptian junior Yahya Elnawasany during his 20 minutes rout 11-2, 11-8, 11-3.

In women’s event that is also under way on the sidelines of the men event Egyptian Hana Moataz, Farida Mohamed, Meena Hamed and USA girl Sabrina Sobhy making it to the semis. In all Egyptian women quarters, Hana defeated Farah 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 while in an interesting quarters Farida had to gather all her reserves to beat Waen Li Lai (Malaysia) 11-6, 10-12, 7-11, 15-13, 11-8 in a match that lasted for 40 minutes.

Results: Men’s event: Youssef Ibrahim (Egypt) bt Muhammad Asim Khan (Pak) 13-11, 11-13, 11-5,11-8; Farhan Mehboob (Pak) bt Farhan Zaman (Pak) 11-2, 4-11, 11-5, 11-3; Tayyab Aslam (Pak) bt Yahya Elnawasany (Egypt) 11-2, 11-8, 11-3; Mohamed ElSherbini (Egypt) bt Rui Soares (Portugal) 11-7, 11-9, 11-7.

Women’s event: Hana Moataz (Egypt) bt Farah Momen (Egypt) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7; Farida Mohamed (Egypt) bt Waen Li Lai (Malaysia) 11-6, 10-12, 7-11, 15-13, 11-8; Meena Hamed (Egypt) bt Cindy Merlo (Switzerland) 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9; Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt Nadia Pfister (Switzerland) 11-4, 11-7, 11-2.

Wednesday’s semifinal line-up: Hana Moataz vs Fariad Mohamed (12noon); Meena Hamed vs Sabrina Sobhy 12.45pm

Men’S event: Youssef Ebrahim vs Farhan Mehboob 1.30pm; Tayyab Aslam vs Mohamed El Sherbini 2.15pm.