17-Aug, Final:

[1] Tayyab Aslam (Pak) 3-1 [2] Ahmad Alsaraj (Jor)
              8-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (59m)

Aslam denies home hopes in Amman

In a matchup between the top two seeds, it was Pakistan's Tayyab Aslam - the reigning asian Junior Champion - who triumphed in four games over home favourite Ahmad Ajsaraj - the reigning British Junior Open Champion - in Amman.

Full report to follow ...


 

7-11, 11-9, 11-8,
11-7 (65m)

[5] Ashley Davies

8-11, 11-6,
11-5, 11-7 (59m)

[2] Ahmad Alsaraj

 6-11, 11-1, 14-12, 11-8 (45m)

[2] Ahmad Alsaraj

Qualifying Finals:
        
Muhammad Asim Khan 3-0 Muhammad Farhan                  11-6, 11-4, 11-4
Alex Noakes  3-1  Mohammad Adel Al Khanfar         12-14, 11-3, 11-8, 11-8
Hesham Mohamed Aly  3-0 Majd Hdaib                              11-3, 11-4, 11-5
Hossam Nasser  3-2 Ahmed Effat Ashoush         9-11 4-11, 11-6 ,11-9, 11-7

Top seeds through to final in Amman
Amin Messayeh reporting from Amman

It was semifinal day today in Amman. Four outstanding players from four different countries were in action hoping for a win and a spot in the final.

The first semifinal match was between Tayyab Aslam and Ashley Davis. Ashley was up 3-2 in the first game, a game that witnessed a lot of tension and body contact. Ashley was again up 7-6. The first smell of a conduct warning was in the air. It was 10-6 and game ball to Ashley. A nick ball from Ashley and the first game was over.

The second game was again closely fought. The score was 2-2 with both players speeding up the pace, playing accurate shots into the back sides. Aslam was struggling with his game. 5-3 to Ashly and another interference and body contact. It was 7-5 for the Englishman. The Pakistani was back with two points putting him ahead 9-8, but another mistake from him and it was 9-9. Both players played aggressively leading to the longest rally of the match so far, and, boom it was 10-9 game ball for the Pakistani. Another long rally followed. Aslam managed to win the crucial point winning the game.

The third game started. More tension was anticipated. The Pakistani led 2-1 and then quickly 5-1. The Englishman fought back to 3-5 with some great deceptive shots and mistakes from the Pakistani. 7-4 for Aslam playing some some fantastic shots. Wow, the crowed was feeling the tension in the court as every point was now critical. 10-6 and game ball for Aslam. Ashley fought back scoring 2 points in a row to 8-10, but the Asian champion managed to close the game with another critical decision from the referee.

In the fourth game, Aslam went ahead 3-1 and the 4-2. Ashley put everything he could trying to get back in the game but Aslam kept the lead 5-3 and then 6-3 and 8-5. It was getting very critical now with both players arguing the referee’s decisions and exchanging words. A stroke decision against Ashley gave Aslam a 9-7 lead. Aslam won the next 2 points ending the match in his favour and earning a place in the final match of the tournament.

The second semi final match was between the number two seed Ahmad Alsaraj from Jordan and the number three seed Shehab Hosny from Egypt. It was the second meeting between them with first meeting going in favor of the Egyptian. Alsaraj was up 4-2 in the first game, but Hosni managed to tie up the score at 5-5. Hosny continued his attack leading 8-5. Alsaraj appeared lost and unable to find his game. Hosny won 11-6.

Alsaraj, one game down and playing in front of the home crowd, was under a lot of pressure. The Egyptian was now full of confidence. To the comfort of the home crowd, Alsaraj put the first game behind him and quickly sped to a comfortable 10-1 lead. He won the game 11-1.

In the third game Alsaraj led 4-0. Hosny, showing a lot of determination, was closing up trailing 3-5 and, after the longest rally of the match was now tied at 5-5 and then 6-6. The local crowd was instrumental in their unlimited support of their local hero. Alsaraj responded and pushed hard for every point. He again led 8-6. Hosni, not giving up, scored some crucial points to put him in the lead at 9-7. Points went back and forth with Hosny leading 10-9. The ensuing minutes witnessed some of the best squash. The score was tied at 11-11 and 12-12. Ahmad scored the next 2 points to win the match 14-12.

In the fourth game it was 5-2 for Alsaraj. The Egyptian appeared more comfortable and composed managing to tie the game at 5-5. Ahmad quickly recouped and led by 9-5 playing precise drop shots and deceptive balls. Hosny was still very much in the game but Alsaraj continued to win points. The score was now 10-8 and match ball. Ahmad won the next point and won the match.

He will play Aslam for the title at noon tomorrow ...

15-Aug, Quarters:
Amin Messayeh reporting from Amman
 
The first match of the day was between the number one seed and current Asian Champion, Tayyab Aslam and Muhamed Asim Khan, a qualifier from Pakistan. The match started with long distance rallies as both players knew each other's game very well. In the first game Aslam was ahead 6-3 with his steady game style and consistency in hitting accurate shots. Aslam committed some mistakes losing points to Khan who was trailing now 6-9. Aslam won 2 straight points, winning the first game 11-6

In the second game, both changed the pace and slowed down the game. Aslam led 2-0, with fantastic volleys and drop shots. Aslam was now ahead 5-0. Suddenly the Asian champion speeded up the pace and played more aggressively and led 10-4. Khan hit the tin on the next ball losing the second game to Aslam who now leads 2:0.

Aslam, with an absolute control of the match, left Khan without any reasonable ideas. Aslam was quickly ahead 5-3 and then 8-4. Another ball in the tin from Khan and the score was 9-4. Aslam eventually won the third game 10-5, winning the match.

The second match was between the fifth seed, Ashley Davies (Eng) and the fourth seed Nosherwan Khan (Pak). Ashley had good start leading 10:5, benefiting from a series of mistakes from the Pakistani. The game was quickly over 11-5

The second game was rather competitive in its first points, but the English left hander was more consistent leading 6-1 and then 9-5. Ashley managed to win the second game 11-7

The third game witnessed some more tension between the 2 opponents. The Pakistani, exploiting the unfocused English, led and won the third game 11-5.

The fourth game was rather equal with some good rallies but the English managed to hit some great balls leading 7:6. A minor collision between the 2 players prompted Khan to ask for an injury break. The players were back in action after the short 3 minute break. Ashly, appearing more confident and determined, led 9-7 and then 11-10 and won the game 12-10 and the match.

The third match was between fellow Egyptians Shehab Hosny (3rd seed) and Mohamed El Tabaa (8th seed). Good start for Hosny with some great shots into the nick bringing the score to 10:7. Hosny won 11-7. He quickly led in the second game by 9:2 with El Tabaa struggling in his movement after recognizing a slight pain in his feet. Hosny won the second game. The third game was a stroll in the park for Hosny against the injured El Tabaa. Hosny won the game 11-3 and the match

The fourth and last match of the day pitted Jordan's hope and number two seed and current British Junior Open Champion Ahmad Alsaraj against the talented Ahmad Hussein from Egypt. What a fabulous start for Alsaraj with 9:0 lead followed by one great drop shot and easy win 11:1. It appeared that there was something wrong with Egyptian, and all eyes were now on the second game.

Hussein was now more comfortable in the court, finding his game and hitting some good lengths, giving him a 10-8 lead. Alsaraj committed lots of unforced errors It was game ball to the Egyptian at 10-9. Ahmad tied the score 10-10 but Hussein managed to hit another great straight shot to the wall leading 11-10 and winning the second game 12-10.

The third game saw Hussein leading 4:2. But Alsaraj came back with the determined not to let this one slip away. He quickly won the game 11:5.

In the fourth game, Hussein led 3:2 but Alsaraj assumed control leading 10-5. Hussein managed to score some points. The score was now 10-8. Alsaraj scored a match point winning the game 11-8 and the match.

14-Sep, First Round:
Amin Messayeh reporting from Amman

First match of the day...
between wild card holder and Jordan's new hope and British Junior Open U17 Runner Up Mohammad Alsaraj (Jor) and number one seed and current BU19 Asian Champion [1] Tayyab Aslam (Pak)

First game 11/4 for Aslam. Alsaraj junior coping very well in the second and showing professionalism in his early age and his first PSA MATCH. 3:1 lead for Alsaraj in the second followed by 8:4. Aslam started attacking and Alsaraj showing some kind of tiredness reaching 7:8. But Alsaraj managed to point again. The Asian champion leveled and had game ball 10/9 but still not finding his game. 10:10 and 11:10 and 12:10 within few seconds. Alsaraj was fatigue.

Third game and a new shirt for Alsaraj. Some court difficulties and there it stands 3:2 for Aslam. Mistakes from Alsaraj with some troubles focusing on his game. 6:3 for the Pakistani. 8:6 and some referee discussions with a stroke decision that took Aslam to lead 9:7. Match ball for Aslam 11:9

Second match...
Asim (Pak) vs Bader (Kuwait). The Pakistani and qualifier shows some flow in his game and lead 10:7 with first game ball winning the first and second game. Although leading two games up it is a rather close game with points and rallies taking a long distance both players attacking from front and back of the court. Asim lead 6:2 with five straight points.

After few faults from the Pakistani Bader managed to lead 8:6. But again the Pakistani managed to level 8:8 and 10:10 with some great nicks. Bader is back 1/2. Bader fought back in the forth with some fabulous diving attitudes and leveled 7:7 but Asim managed to win two direct points and 10:8 with first match ball. All in all the first seeded player going out with another surprise.

Third match...
Between fifth seed Ashley Davis (Eng) and qualifier Hesham Aly from Egypt. Ashley won the first more or less easily 11:4. The Second started with a new strategy for the Egyptian qualifier leading 6:1 followed by 9:3 with lots of attacking shots into the front court. The Egyptian managed to level in games 1:1. Third game started with the Egyptian showing no regrets with his aggressive attacking style and some great shots into the nick. He remind us of the young Ashour in his younger years and calmness. 11:4 and Hesham Aly lead 2:1.

Ashly Davis knew he must do something to change his strategy of winning. He did and won 3:2 with excellent efforts and concentration. Hard luck for Hesham that struggled with his endurance qualities.

Foruth match..
Between two Pakistanis Mubarak Mohsin and Nesherwan Khan. No special effects with Nosherwan winning in three straights.

Fifth match...
between Shehab Essam Hosny (Egypt) and Alex Noakes (Eng). Match was rather clear for the Egyptian although he faced some struggle in the third winning 13:11 and 3/0. Alex Noakes a very young and talented player with great future and endurance. We will definitely hear more great news and results in the near future.

Sixth match...
It's another Egyptian and eight seed El Tabaa against Haseeb Gul (Pak). The tall Egyptian managed to take the first game 11:9. The second game was rather equal until the Pakistani started making some unnecessary faults loosing 11:7. Third game started equal where the Pakistani managed to lead for the first time 10:7 but El Tabaa equaled and won the next two points and match 12:10.

Seventh match...
Between seventh seed Jamie Henderson from Scotland and Ahamd Hussein (Egypt). The Egyptian took the first game. 7:6 in the second and another point for Jamie leveling 7:7 with some hard referee decisions. 9:10 game ball and the Egyptian is back leading and winning in three straights 3/0.

Match of the day....
Was between current British Junior Open Champion and Jordan's number one [2] Ahmad Alsaraj and Egyptian giant and qualifier Hossam Nasser.

First went in favour of Alsaraj winning 11:9. The Jordanian and British Junior Open star played a very solid game in the second with some great deceptive shots. But Hossam managed to lead and it's 12:10 for the Egyptian.

6:6 in the third after 3 minute injury break for Hossam and 10:7 game ball for Alsaraj. Ahmad struggling with his game. 2:1 for Jordan and looking like the Egyptian is not moving quite well with mistakes and loss of concentration. Ahmad leading 9:4 and closing the match 11:6

Tomorrow's quarter final matches will start at 6pm Jordan time with some great squash.