Defending Champion Gaultier completes
winning return to action in Zurich
based on PSA report
Following a two-month injury enforced absence, 2017 Grasshopper
Cup champion Gregory Gaultier marked his return to competitive
action on the PSA World Tour with a straight-games defeat of
local hero Nicolas Müller in the first round of the 2018
Grasshopper Cup in Zurich.
The 35-year-old, who was deposed as World #1 this month by
Mohamed Elshorbagy, was halted by an adductor
injury suffered during January's Tournament of Champions but put
those troubles behind him as he out-classed Müller, the World
#18.
"Everybody knows I've been injured and had a tough year,"
said Gaultier.
"I missed the game so much but luckily the doctor gave me the
green light a few weeks ago but to come back at my age takes
longer and a lot of work.
"So I was trying to be smart on the court today. There's a
balance between wanting to play but also on the other hand
trying to make sure you don't aggravate any injuries, but I'm
just very happy to be back on court and back here in Zurich.
'I've had great memories here over the past few years and hope
that can continue this week."
Gaultier now meets Mohamed Abouelghar, the eighth
seed who overcame fellow Egyptian qualifier Mazen Hesham in four
close games.
"Mazen and I have been playing since we were kids and even
though we’ve played hundreds of times together you still never
know what to expect with him," said Abouelghar. "I had to be on
my toes and stay focused in every rally so I’m pleased I was
able to do that and get the win at the end."
A second Egyptian won through to the last eight as Ramy
Ashour, the three-time World Champion who has also been
plagued by injury throughout the past three years, looked to have resurrected elements of his former
self as he moved effortlessly around the court against German
qualifier Raphael Kandra, striking winners with ease to triumph
in straight games.
"Last time I was here, I didn't make it to the semis," said
Ashour. "I had two very hard first rounds and today, that
crucial game ball in the 2nd, it was his point, and I just
killed myself until the last point, the last shot hoping for
something to come down from the sky .. and that's what happened!
"It's good to be back again, and I am hoping for better
results."
Ashour's quarter-final opponent will be Simon Rösner,the
in-form hard-hitting German number one who earned his quarter-final
berth by coming from a game down to beat Daryl Selby, his fourth
straight win over the Englishman this year.
"I gave away too many points early on with errors and that
allowed him to get off to a good start," said Rösner.
"But I felt like I got into my rhythm in the second game and I'm
happy with how I managed to change my approach and turn the game
around. To come through with the win against a player of Daryl's
quality is very encouraging."
