Egypt's Youssef Ibrahim celebrates after defeating compatriot and top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy during the third round of Qatar Classic yesterday.
Promising youngster Youssef Ibrahim yesterday produced a stunning performance to cause one of the major upsets in Qatar Classic Squash Championship history, shocking top seed and World No.2 Mohamed ElShorbagy in a five-game thriller to march into the quarter-finals.
The all-Egyptian clash, which lasted for 65 minutes, is the most fascinating battle yet in this year’s edition as World No.41 saved a match point to tame the ‘Beast of Alexandria’ in the third round.
Barring ElShorbagy, it was a routine day for other top seeds yesterday as they cruised into the quarter-finals at the Khalifa International and Tennis and Squash Complex. Ibrahim, a stylish lefthanded talent, showed stunning shots from both sides, barely putting a wrong foot throughout the match to stun his experienced compatriot.
“The word would be surreal,” said the 21-year-old sensation after his memorable win yesterday.
“I don’t know how to describe how I’m feeling right now. I’ve been waiting for a break for a really long time and training really hard for so many years and I haven’t had a good win – this just makes it so much better,” he added.
Ibrahim made his intentions clear right from the beginning as he won the first game before ElShorbagy claimed back-to-back games to take control of the match. But Ibrahim rallied back and survived a match point in the fourth game to draw level. The young Egyptian played fierce shots and exploited some loose serves from ElShorbagy in the decisive game to confirm his place in the quarter-finals.
“It’s a roller-coaster of emotions, to beat someone like Mohamed in his form and where he is now, top seed of the tournament – it’s just massive. I knew I was in for a fight, I had nothing to lose today,” said Ibrahim, who will meet another countryman Fares Dessouky in the quarter-finals.
“I have no doubt in myself after beating Mohamed. I’ll just try to enjoy today and recover. I’ve played with Fares (Dessouky) in practice matches, we play with the same fitness coach, so I know what to expect, we know each other’s game very well,” he added. Dessouky dispatched Spaniard Borja Golan 11-2, 12-10, 11-2 in 34 minutes, earlier yesterday.
World No. 1 Ali Farag (left) and Eain Yow Ng of Malaysia in action during their third round match yesterday.
Farag and Momen sail into quarter-finals
World No.1 Ali Farag, who will keep his top ranking intact after ElShorbagy’s early exit, eased into the quarter-finals after a 3-0 victory over Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng. The defending champion looked in top form giving Yow Ng a run for money with his total grip in the match, which he won 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 in only 35 minutes.
Second seeded Farag’s next challenge will be against Peru’s World No.7
Diego Elias, who won the all-South American clash against Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez with a 11-5, 13-11, 11-9 score-line in 53 minutes.
“I’ve only beaten Ali (Farag) twice and he’s beaten me more than 10 times, so it’s a really tough match. I’ve been training hard and right now I just want to recover and be ready for tomorrow,” said Elias after winning yesterday’s last match.
Tarek Momen of Egypt in action against Englishman James Willstrop.
Meanwhile, Tarek Momen also entered the quarter-final after overcoming England’s former World No.1 James Willstrop 3-1 (11-8, 11-3, 3-11, 11-4) to continue his title hunt in Doha, where he won the world crown last year.
Momen conceded a five-point lead early in the first game before he fought back to take 2-0 game lead. Willstrop reduced the deficit by winning the third game but the World No.3 Egyptian comfortably won fourth game to complete victory.
“As always it’s a pleasure to play James,” said Momen.
“Overall, I’m happy with the performance and all credit to James, he played a great match today,” he added. The reigning world champion will be up against eighth seeded Welshman Joel Makin after he sent Frenchman Lucas Serme packing 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 in 52 minutes.
Earlier in the first third round fixture yesterday, World No.6 Marwan ElShorbagy defeated Germany’s Raphael Kandra 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 to advance in the $175,000 event.
The Egyptian was in complete control against World No.33 Kandra, winning the first game easily. An adductor injury in the second game to the German ended his hopes of making a comeback as Marwan dominated the remainder of the match to advance with ease. Marwan will take on fourth seeded Paul Coll in a mouthwatering quarterfinal today after the World No.5 from New Zealand made a comeback against Frenchman World No.17 Gregoire Marche to book his place in the last 8.
