27-Nov, Final:

[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [2] Chris Simpson (Eng)
                           5/11, 11/6, 11/8, 6/11, 11/4 (63m)

Gawad takes the inaugural Cup in five

Karim Abdel Gawad took his final against Chris Simpson 3-2 to become the first champion of the inaugural Dubai Squash Cup.

It was an exciting match from the start, with both players hitting some incredible lengths. But the similarities ended there. Simpson played a very strong, straight game throughout, but in the end Gawad’s flair for the dramatic shot took the day.

Both players played to their strengths in the first two matches, to bring it 1-1. Gawad took control in the third, immediately sending out two lovely straight kills that soared past Simpson. A couple of lightening reactions by Gawad expanded the lead, and Simpson came out with a lovely counterdrop in response to take it to 4-2. The two later exchanged some lovely kills but in the end Gawad got the edge, ahead two games to Simpson’s one.

Gawad seemed to inexplicably back off a bit in the fourth, while Simpson kept out front and sped up his pick-ups for the win. Gawad shines in a five-setter, though, and the last match was all his.

Simpson made some incredible retrievals, and managed to steal one match point, but a straight kill from Gawad sealed the deal.

Gawad: “I am really happy to win the tournament. It’s my last tournament of the year, so I’m really happy. I’ve been suffering from a back injury from February, so it’s not been the best season. But I’m happy to finish it like this.

I want to thank Chris for such a great game. It was really tough. I’m lucking to have the lead in the fifth, it made me more confidence and relaxed. It could have been a much tougher
match.

Thank you to the organizing committee for such a great week. I’m looking forward to the next tournament in Dubai.”

Simpson: “It was a strange match. The court here is so lively, it’s a little bit different from anywhere else. You have to really think and keep changing your game.

"I felt in the first two games I played well, he played well. After that it turned into a bit of a dog fight.

"Unfortunately for me, I didn’t play well in the fifth, and he played his best game.”

8/11, 11/7, 12/10, 11/8 (71m)

[7] Zahed Mohamed

 14/12, 3/0 rtd (18m)

[6] Nasir Iqbal

[1] Karim Abdel Gawad

5/11, 11/6, 11/8, 6/11, 11/4 (63m)

[2] Chris Simpson

11/5, 11/4, 9/11, 14/12 (45m)

 [3] Mohamed Abouelghar

11/8, 11/9, 11/8 (40m)

Muhd Asyraf Azan

11/7, 11/7, 11/8 (39m)

[2] Chris Simpson

11/4, 11/5, 8/11 ,11/5 (45m)

[2] Chris Simpson

21-Nov, Qualifying Round One:

Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) 3-0 Kareem Akmal Hussein Elrayes (UAE)    11-6, 11-3, 11-1 (20m)
Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) 3-1 Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA) 4-11, 11-6, 11-9, 12-10 (49m)
Saad Shahid (PAK) w.o Mubarak Mohsin (PAK)
Christo Potgieter (RSA) 3-0 Adham Saleem (UAE)                    11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (18m)

Sandeep Ramachandran (IND) w/ov Amaad Fareed (PAK)
Muhammad Asim Khan (PAK) 3-1 Jamal Al-Barwani (OMA) 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4 (40m)
Lance Beddoes (NZL) 3-1 Ali Miski (LEB)                         11-0, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7 (25m)
Paul Rawden (ENG) 3-0 Amine Regaye (UAE)                            11-0, 11-8, 11-4 (22m)

Khaled Mostafa (EGY) 3-0 Bader Al Hussaini (KUW)                12-10, 11-9, 13-11 (21m)
Mike Lewis (USA) 3-0 Muhammad Faheem Khan (PAK)              11-3, 11-5, 11-3 (20m)
Patrick Miescher (SUI) 3-0 Talat Mehmood (UAE)                      11-2, 11-4, 11-1 (15m)
Abbas Maniar (USA) w/o Ali Bader Al-Ramzi (KUW)

Youssef Abdalla (ENG) 3-0 Niraj Makija (UAE)                           11-6, 11-8, 11-8 (18m)
Hossam Nasser (EGY) 3-1 Ammar Saleem (UAE)              8-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (29m)
Shehab Essam Hosny (EGY) 3-0 Ahmed Kremil (UAE)               11-3, 11-3, 11-2 (17m)
David Haley (WAL) 3-0 Mohammed Adel Al Khanfar (KUW)        11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (25m)
 

26-Nov, Semis:
Top seeds through to final

Top seeds Karim Abdel Gawad and Chris Simpson win through to the final in Dubai ...

In the opening semi-final Gawad played brilliantly in the first game, favoring the corners with some lovely shots. Iqbal wowed with impressive, if not always lovely, pick-ups and at 10-9 moved into the lead.

But the Pakistani gave up two game balls, and Gawad pressed in, taking the game 14-12. Iqbal favored one side yesterday and throughout today’s game, and his concession at the start of the second game was unfortunate, but not a shock.

Gawad: “I feel sorry for him. I wish he gets well soon and ready for next season. He’s one of the most talented players in Pakistan and on the tour, too. I’ve played him once before; it was also a tough match.

"I was expecting a very tough match today and had to focus really well from beginning to end. I’m just happy to be in the finals and put all my concentration for tomorrow’s match.”

Iqbal: “I am trying to do my best because Karim Gawad is a very experienced and very good player. I am trying to take the first game, but I’m not feeling well and could not continue. Inshallah, I hope next year I’ll be trying to do my best and improving my ranking.”

The next match was a study in contrasts – Simpson’s solid, English style, and Khan’s aggressive attack. Simpson, ranked world #23, had a good showing last week in Doha, making the world championship’s main draw.

Khan, too, made the main draw at worlds, and has been slowly climbing toward his former #10 high from his current #78. In the end, the unflinching Englishman won out, returning everything Khan sent at him. Khan started out well, quickly racking up a 7-3 lead in the first game with a wide and varied game.

At least four times, Khan sent out amazing straight drives off the backhand to trouble Simpson. Simpson played steady throughout, with solid pick-ups and brilliant lengths. At 4-7 down in the first game, he took control and went on a straight run for the win. From that point on, Simpson dominated, winning the match in three games to enter the final.

Simpson: “I’m very, very happy to win, and very, very happy to win with a 3-0 score. It wasn’t a cruise. It was a very tough match with lots of concentration required. It was a tough balancing act of playing long enough and not playing negative.

"I’ve watched Gawad play a lot. It’s quite nice to play someone new.”
 

25-Nov, Quarter-Finals:
Iqbal and Khan join top seeds in semis

Top seeds Karim Abdel Gawad and Chris Simpson made it safely through to the semi-finals in Dubai, where they will face surprise packages Nasir Iqbal and Aamir Atlas Khan,

Match reports from Liesl Goecker

Nasir Iqbal (PAK) 3-1 Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)

Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal brought the speed in today’s quarterfinal against Mohamed Abouelghar, keeping up a punishing attack that frustrated the higher seed’s game. Abouelghar was slow on his pick-ups in the first two games, which Iqbal took quickly. Iqbal eased back in the third, though, giving Abouelghar the time he needed to get in his shots.

The Egyptian took his time and waited for the right opportunities. Down 4-7, he went on a six-point run, scoring off a lovely corner drop at 5-5 before taking the lead and the game.

Iqbal returned to his earlier place in the fourth game, but this time Abouelghar was ready. The two went point for point, until Abouelghar, behind at 10-11, coolly stole two match balls in a row before Iqbal finished it off.

Iqbal: “First of all, thanks to all. I played well today and my opponent played well. We played in the British Juniors in 2006 for the 3rd or 4th position and we are playing now. I’m not fully fit for this match and his fitness and skill is very well.

"I was trying to kill the balls, finish the balls. Inshallah, I’ll be fully ready for the semifinal tomorrow. I hope I’ll be playing well.”


Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-1 Zahed Mohamed (EGY)

Zahed Mohamed and Karim Abdel Gawad met for an all-Egyptian match-up in today’s quarterfinal. Both played their usual strong, attacking styles, and it appeared Gawad was in for yet another five-setter.

Mohamed took the first game off a lovely cross kill that Gawad was just short of returning. But by 7-7 in the second game – frustrated by several long, beautiful rallies that ended in lets – Mohamed was too focused on the quick points, and Gawad took it 11-7.

The third game again saw neck-and-neck play. Gawad appeared to be in some discomfort midway through and just barely claimed the game in extra points. But he battled through a very close fourth match, perhaps sensing a fifth would be unwise, and in the end clinched his top-seed status.

Gawad: “I know how good he [Mohamed] is. We’ve played many times in juniors but only once in PSA. This is the second time. I know how tough it was going to be. I had to prepare myself very well before and keep myself calm and concentrating during the match. He’s very talented and very strong mentally, also physically. I had to do my best.”

Chris Simpson (ENG) 3-1 Paul Coll (NZL)

Chris Simpson controlled the play for the first two games of his match against Paul Coll. Coll seemed to struggle with the court, and Simpson comfortably played from the T to get a quick 2-0 lead. In the third game, Coll found his legs and kept in front of Simpson, trading points with the higher seed before taking it 11-8.

But he couldn’t quite keep it up through a fourth, and Simpson’s gifted hands carried the game. Simpson sent out several lovely drops that Coll couldn’t pick up, and took the game and match 11-5.

Simpson: “The court was very, very bouncy. It was hard to play at any real pace. The ball was hard to control. I felt like it was really about whoever could keep the ball away from the middle would win. I did that well for the first two games, then he upped his game. It was a tough match.”

Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 3-0 Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS)

Aamir Atlas Khan dominated his quarterfinal against Muhd Asyraf Azan and upset the higher seed in a quick three-game match. From the start Khan took control, sending the ball all over the court with precision.

Azan struggled to keep up, though he managed several sharp shots of his own. In the end though, Khan’s accuracy and speed paid off, and he took the match 3-0 to enter tomorrow’s semifinal.

Khan: “It was good playing today. I’m happy to be in the semifinal. Hopefully tomorrow I will also do my best against Chris [Simpson].”

Azan: “He was playing very well. I couldn’t cope with his strategy. Each game was the same. He’s a smart player. It’s amazing to play with this kind of player. I can learn a lot.”
 

24-Nov, Round Two:
Gawad survives again in Dubai

Top seed Karim Abdel Gawad survived a second successive five-game encounter as he came from two games down to beat Ammar Altamimi in today's quarter-finals, which saw local favouritye Adil Maqbool bow out and yesterday's giantkiller Aamir Atlas Khan continue his winning run ...

Match reports from Liesl Goecker

Nasir Iqbal (PAK) 3-1  Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY)

Qualifying juggernaut Ahmed Effat Ashoush’s run came to an end today, but not before he troubled fifth-seed Nasir Iqbal) through four games. Iqbal took the first two games easily before the Egyptian, seeded 17th in the qualifying draw, broke away at 6-3 in the third for the win.
Ashoush looked poised to send it to a decider, quickly jumping ahead 7-3 in the fourth with some solid squash. But Iqbal stayed steady and calmly ate up the points to level it at 8-8 before closing out the match.

Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) 3-2 Abdullah Al Mezayen (KUW)

Muhd Asuraf Azan upset Abdullah Al Mezayen in a five-setter full of beautiful rallies. Azan took the first game handily against the Asian Games gold medalist, 11-5. But Al Mezayen was cool and calculated in the second, sending out some great precision shots and taking it 11-8.

Al Mezayen kept his play tight in the third, despite some apparent leg pain, but Azan’s pick-ups were on point and the game went his way. Al Mezayen started down 2-9 in the fourth, but battled back, going on a lovely run of corner drops to level it at 9-9 and then take the game. But Azan had a bit more life in him for the decider, and though the two went point for point, he claimed the game and match in extra points.

Azan: “It was not easy, first of all. He’s a very good player. I was just focused on my game all the time. His shots were just amazing. In the third and fourth games, he attacked me more on the inside of the corners.

In the third game, I was leading 9-1 and suddenly the game changed. By then he got his feeling and I didn’t have mine. In the fifth set, we both fought for it, but it ended up for me.”

Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 3-1 Tayyab Aslam (PAK)

Aamir Atlas Khan put his full skill on display in his match against Tayyab Aslam. Khan dominated the first game, moving Aslam around deftly. But Aslam kept his head, and came back from 3-10 down to pick up five more points before Khan took it 11-8.

Aslam fought back in a second game punctuated by long, splendid rallies that kept Khan busy and sent the game into extra points. It took everything Aslam had to close it out, but close it he did at 14-12. Khan’s experience and court presence became apparent, though, in the third game.

And while Aslam fought well in the fourth, coming back from 5-10 down to almost level it 9-11, Khan took the game and match with a final, lovely shot.

Khan: “It was a good match against Tayyab Aslam. He’s an up-and-coming player from Pakistan and improving day by day. Today the court was very bouncy and the tin was 19 inches, so I had to make a game plan to play in this type of court. I’m happy the game plan worked out.

It’s good to see tournaments in the UAE now. Special thanks to the organizers and sponsors for organizing such a great event. The venue, hospitality, everything is very good.”

Chris Simpson (ENG) 3-0 Hossam Nasser (EGY)

Chris Simpson shot through to the Quarterfinals after Hossam Nasser retired injured after 15 minutes of play.

Simpson was strong and solid in the first game, moving Nasser all over the court. The Egyptian appeared tired and in obvious discomfort in the second game, and Simpson pressed the advantage in a shut-out set. Nasser hung on into the third, nabbing one point off Simpson before retiring with a shin injury.

Paul Coll (NZL) 3-2 Farhan Mehboob (PAK)

Farhan Mehboob looked poised to win in three straight sets, taking his first two games against New Zealand’s Paul Coll and leading well into the third.

But the tiniest things can change the course of a match, and 8-6 up in the third, Mehboob’s racquet string – and game – snapped. His returned with a lovely boast that would have fooled Coll had it not hit the tin. From then on, Coll owned the match, drawing out unforced error after error from the unraveling Mehboob.

The decider was close, with the players sticking to basics and biding their time for the right opening, until at 4-3, when Coll went on a five-point run. Mehboob found some equilibrium in the end and managed to take two more points, declining a stroke in his favor, before Coll closed it out 11-5.

Coll: “It was very tough, changing courts and tin sizes. I think he [Mehboob] struggled with the tin change. I think my fitness in the end was what won it for me.”

23-Nov, Round One:
Trio of Qualifiers progress in Dubai
as Maqbool delights home fans ...
Match reports from Liesl Goecker

Adil Maqbool (PAK) 3-1 Lance Beddoes (NZL)
                                   9-11, 14-12, 11-8, 12-10 43 min

Adil Maqbool was the crowd favorite today, in the Dubai-native’s first pro tournament on home soil. Up against New Zealand’s Lance Beddoes, who had a very good showing in last week’s World Championship, Maqbool struggled to find his legs in the first game, losing 9-11.

But he came back in a spirited second game that was evenly paced, going into extra points before Maqbool closed it out 14-12 with a lovely drop.

Maqbool was steady in the third, winning it handily 11-8. Beddoes fought back well in the fourth, getting in a couple of nice shots and keeping it level throughout.

But Maqbool, playing his first pro match in front of a home crowd, was on a roll – at 10-10 he sent two shots in a row past Beddoes to take the game and match 12-10 in 43 minutes.

Maqbool: “I just started training hard again with my dad before the Worlds. So I wasn’t sure where my fitness level was at. I was a bit tense in the first game, going for too many shots. The second onwards I tried to be steady before going for shots and it seemed to work for me.

"This is the first tournament in my country. I’ve been number one here for 12 years, so there is a lot of pressure to do well. I’m glad I pulled through in the end.”

Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) 3-2 Alex Ingham (ENG)
                                11-6, 13-11, 4-11, 1-11, 11-8 45 min

Yesterday’s Goliath, Ahmed Effat Ashoush, continued his rush toward the trophy. The qualifier upset Alex Ingham in a five-setter that could have gone either way many times. Ingham played well, especially in the fourth game when he went on a run that Ashoush interrupted only once, winning it 11-1. But in the end Ashoush’s extra inches gave him the edge once more.

Ashoush: “I was two games up and I stuck with the plan. I could feel my body was too heavy and I couldn’t push anymore. Then I lost two games and I started to feel like it was a bad dream. I then gave it a big push and I’m very happy with this win.

"This is my best win since starting with PSA. I feel no pressure for tomorrow, I will give a 100% push and will try to win it. I want to thank all the people behind me, especially my best friend, Abouelghar.”

Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) 3-2 Reiko Peter (SUI)
                              5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 63 min

Muhd Asyraf Azan took a long, tricky match against Reiko Peter in a punishing 63 minutes. Peter set a very good pace in the first two games, beating Azan comfortably and taking a 2-0 edge that had spectators expecting yet another upset in a day of surprises. But Azan made a spirited comeback in the third game, picking up the pace and closing it out 11-6.

Peter played some great squash in the fourth game, but couldn’t quite keep up with Azan, who maintained a fast clip and sent it into a decider. A nail-biting fifth game ensued, with great play by both, but at 10-9, Azan finished it off with a brilliant nick.

Paul Coll (NZL) 3-2 Abdulla Al Tamimi (QAT)
                               9-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7 55 min

Paul Coll also shook up tomorrow’s draw with his win over higher-seed Abdulla Al Tamimi. Al Tamimi started on point in the first, killing everything Coll sent at him. But Coll came back fast in the second, pushing up the pace up and taking it 11-5.

The two then traded games to take it to a decider in the 55-minute match, earning the respect of spectators along the way when Coll asked for a let after the referee ruled a shot down by Al Tamimi. The fifth game was far and away the best of the match, the two going neck and neck throughout.

But it was Coll’s day and in the end he upset Al Tamimi 11-7 to take a place in tomorrow’s second round.

Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-2 Farhan Zaman (PAK)
                              9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-0, 11-8 60 min

Tournament top-seed Karim Abdel Gawad toughed out an intense five-setter with Farhan Zaman through 60 minutes of great squash. Zaman started very strong, controlling the first two games from the middle to give him the lead at 2-0. But Gawad came out steely-eyed in the third, winning it 11-7 before shutting out Zaman entirely in the fourth 11-0 to applause from a rapt crowd.

The two then went point-for-point in the decider, up to 9-8, when Gawad ultimately showed the reason for his higher seeding. Two, final lovely shots sent the match his way, 11-8.

Gawad: “Zaman is one of my best friends on the tour. We grew up together, but this is the first time we have played together since nine years old. But of course, I know how good he is. I was expecting a very tough match.

"I’m a bit lucky, I was down 2-0 and managed to win in five. I’m just looking forward for my next matches.”

22-Nov, Qualifying Finals:
Selected match reports from Liesl Goecker

Mike Lewis (USA) 3-2 Khaled Mostafa (EGY)

It was a study in contrasting styles between Mike Lewis and Khaled Mostafa  in today’s second qualifying round: Lewis’ brawler approach took the match over Mostafa’s precision in a lengthy five-game match, but it could very well have gone either way. Mostafa sent Lewis to every corner, but Lewis ran out the rallies and deployed his counterdrop effectively.

The third game saw some brilliant shots by both in a fast exchange that ended with a tin shot by Mostafa. Lewis took the game with a gentle corner drop, 11-5, but Mostafa retaliated in the fourth game, deftly moving Lewis around the court. Lewis was all determination in the last game, and down 3-4 when he went on a run to take the game and match 11-5.

Lewis: “It was definitely back and forth. It felt really good to pull it out in the end. Any time a match goes to five, it’s what we train for, to be able to finish it off. It was really close and could’ve gone either way. I’m really pleased to pull out the win. I think Khaled played really well.”

Patrick Miescher (SUI) 3-0 Abbas Maniar (USA)

Patrick Miescher had Abbas Maniar’s number today, using his speed and precision against the American. Miescher played a fast game from the start, turning Maniar’s size against him and putting the ball just out of his reach. Maniar kept his head and played some nice shots, taking his first point from Miescher in the third game, down 0-9, with a lovely drop to the corner. Maniar scored once more in the last game before Miescher took the match 11-2.

Ahmed Effat Ashoush (EGY) 3-1 Ahsan Ayaz (PAK)

It was a close, grueling match for Ahsan Ayaz and Ahmed Effat Ashoush. The David versus Goliath match-up pitted Ashoush’s size and reach against the smaller Ayaz’s speed. The first two games were close, with not much difference between the two, though Ayaz seemed a bit loose. Both had some nice shots and picked up the balls well.

Ashoush took the third game, to give him the lead going into the fourth. But Ayaz had a good start and shot ahead for game ball at 10-7 by playing some brilliant squash. But the Egyptians are never out till it’s over. Ayaz was too tentative with his attacks at the end and Ashoush capitalized. Ashoush waited for his chance and, using the court well, put the ball just beyond Ayaz at 12-11 to take the game and match 13-11.

Ashoush: “I never did play him before. I’m happy with my performance, really. I needed this win; it was a hard one. It’s a big push for me to continue in PSA and give 100 percent. It’s never too far to win. I want to thank all those behind me, my parents, my fitness coach, my number one supporter – my brother, Haitham Effat, and my friends.”