Reports and Reaction for Day One’s qualifying Round Matches from Fram Gommendy in Cairo …
It’s a bit of a manic start at OWest today, as it always is in Egypt to be fair. This one being even more complicated as the site is actually being built as we speak, the sound of the jackhammers balancing the hitting of balls on the front wall nicely. Add to that, Steve Cubbins our photographer and webmaster had the good idea to rely on British Rail transport to arrive to the Manchester Airport. 2h delay, missed the connection and the next one too, tried a Uber, heavy traffic on M62. Make a long story short, he is arriving tonight instead of yesterday.
So, no photos unfortunately – I didn’t take any cameras – and I have to do the results and draws along with chatting away with the players and typing. But as Cubs says, “do the draws, the rest is a bonus”!
Khaled Labib (EGY) bt [13] Mazen Gamal (EGY) 11-2, 7-11, 8-11, 18-16, 11-1 (74m)
Khaled
This was NOT EASY!
Mazen is a really experienced player, he is also one of my closest friends on court. It was tough for both of us, it was so difficult to set my mind into being aggressive against him, and probably the same for him.
So happy with the win today, and especially to fight back and come back from 2/1 down, saving two match balls in the process!
The ref gave me a few tough decisions in the second and third, but so proud I got through the match.
My game plan was to push him to the four corners, to tire him, as I know he is 38, and he is not as fit as he would like to be anymore. And he really needed that 4th game.
When I was in that endless tie-break, I didn’t think at all, I was in automatic pilot!
Tomorrow, I’m playing Aly Hussein, we played in Qatar once, and he won 3/1. So tomorrow, I am taking my revenge….
Ivan Perez (Esp) 3-1 [12] Spencer Lovejoy (Usa) 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8 (82m)
Ivan
First time in Egypt, I normally don’t get the chance to get into those tournaments. Spencer is really a strong opponent. I never played him but I watched him a lot in the bigger tournaments that he gets to play, as his ranking is better than mine.
I got on court with the feeling and the belief I could beat anyone, if I can play focused the whole match, which I nearly did today!
I really wanted this win, I really need this win. I had a really tough season last season, not playing my best squash, so I wanted to start this season better.
I’m based in Barcelona, with Victor Montserrat my coach. This summer has been intense in terms of training, we trained a lot with Iker, we train a lot together, and he just got the Bronze in the European Individuals, and he really deserves it, he is so serious in training, so professional.
I’m 23, I lost a couple of years, I wasted that time by not being really focused, a lack of maturity, on and off court. So now, I’m trying to work on that.
[7] Aly Hussein (EGY) 3-0 Yehia Essam (EGY) 11-3, 11-3, 11-2 (35m)
Aly
The score really doesn’t tell the story. Yehia is good, really good. My main focus today was to get the ball to the back, I feel that’s what you’ve got to do against skilled player and he sure is one of them. He can put the ball away anytime from anywhere.
If I was forcing him to attack from the back, I could see his attacking shots. So I played well but he is definitely a dangerous player.
The rallies were pretty long but I think I didn’t do too much work, I was in the middle of the court and controlling the rallies. It was a bit boring squash, but I feel squash is going to that direction, it’s becoming a very physical game, whoever is fitter, mentally and physically is going to win.
Matias Knudsen (Col) 3-1 [2] Shahjahan Khan (Usa) 11-8, 5-11, 11-4, 11-6 (50m)
Matias
I think I was able to put everything together quite well. I’ve been training really hard this off season. It’s the first off season I had since graduating from College – Drexel University. I spent 5 years of my life there, I got my Masters, and I always knew I wanted to go on the Tour.
It’s great to be able to put in a hard off season. I worked in Barcelona, with Victor Montserrat for a month, a little break to go to Peru for the Pan Am Games, and then here in Cairo for a couple of weeks, I stayed with my friend Moustafa Elsirty, who I’m actually playing tomorrow! We share the same coach as well, Hossam Nasser.
So the hard work this summer worked, I played really good squash, as I said, putting everything together. Apart fro the second game I was a bit soft. I know it’s not going to be easy playing Moustafa in Egypt, but as long as I keep playing good squash, keep working hard, I trust I can make it to the top with all those big guys.
[11] Moustafa Elsirty (EGY) 3-1 Owain Taylor (WAL) 11-4, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3 (46m)
Moustafa
The first match not only of the tournament but also of the season, we are bound to be a bit nervous. I didn’t have such a great last season, so today, that was for me the pressure, trying to get back to where I was.
I enjoyed the match today, it was a good match. Owain beat me last time we played, and I was not too happy about that, so happy to take my revenge.
Very happy with the atmosphere, also with the court, it’s new courts, a little bit tricky for some players, but I had all my friends here, my coach, my family.
Owen is a big guy, not sure there are many players like us two on the Tour. I tried to move him around, physically, I knew I could handle it, I don’t think he was, so that’s why I put a lot of work in his legs.
In the third game, I dropped a bit mentally, I didn’t know how to react with the stop start, it got a bit to my head, but in the fourth, I decided I don’t care what’s happening outside, I need to be focused on what’s going on on court. Happy with my performance today.
I’ve been working with Hossam Nasser for quite a while now, we’ve been trying to adapt and change what I feel went wrong last season, to get back to the top 20 level.
I’m playing the winner of Mathias and Shahjahan, I hope they have a five setter and that the winner will be cooked tomorrow…
[16] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) 3-0 Martin Svec (CZE) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (28m)
Yassin
Very good feeling to win today, here in Cairo, in front of my crowd, everybody is here, my family and friends, and my team.
Martin is a good player, he played well today. He is very tall, he volleys a lot. So my plan was to take him to the front, attacking a lot. I’m happy with my performance today and grateful to take it in three.
Tomorrow, I’m playing Ryunosukue, for the third time, actually. I lost twice, so tomorrow is REVENGE DAY!
[8] Mohamad Zakaria (EGY) bt Rowan Damming (NED) 3-0 Scores: 11-5, 12-10, 13-11 (56m)
Zakaria
No, I don’t like to make it long and difficult, at all, that’s not the intention!
He tried to hang in the games, and I thought I closed these games better than I have in the past in those situations. I’ve been working with my coach Ahmed Shohayeb to stay as little time as possible on court. Maybe I’m not the best now, but I’m sure I’m on the right track. I’m trying to go for more shots, and I’m going to achieve this.
Today, above all, I was very alert on court. When he started reading my cross courts, I was able to change it to a boast and try to move him to the front, finding a way to get the rally back into my hands. So after my boasts, I started to volley, which allowed me to go from critical in the third to winning that game and closing the math in three.
[1] Rory Stewart (SCO) 3-0 Edwin Clain (FRA) 11-7, 11-2, 11-7 (31m)
Rory
I’m just trying to stay out of the sun, it’s too hot… I have decided a long time ago not to be bothered if I get a sun tan or not…!
Pretty happy with the match today. It’s the begining of the season, you don’t know exactly where you are. I had a pretty decent win at the Nationals, and then a very bad performance so I was not sure how I play. I’ve known Edwin for years, he’s had a few good wins, he is pretty dangerous so to get off with a 3/0 win, I’m pretty happy.
I’ve spent the last three-four weeks praying that someone would pull out of the tournament, as I was the first qualifier for the longest time, but when I woke up this morning, the dream had gone… My lucky days are over…
It’s good to get matches, but it’s really quite tough. Still it gets people involved up to 90s in the world, but we don’t get a free hotel, it’s 4 5 days investment, and you are facing 30 unbelievable players .. tough. Silver lining is the hotel is pretty good and the weather is nice. If it was in the North of France or somewhere in England, we would be a little bit less happy about it…
[15] Toufik Mekhalfi (FRA)3-0 Finnlay Withington (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 (26m)
Toufik
We’re all fighters, we want to win. It’s never easy to lose in the first round, so I’m really happy to have won.
He’s a player who relies a lot on his feelings and can be a bit nonchalant. I approached this match with the mindset that I needed to start strong, to show him that I was the one who wanted the match at all costs and that every point would be hard-earned. Even if I lost one or two points, I wouldn’t give up and would try to claw my way to victory. I think that’s what made the difference.
I focused a lot on my strengths, my backhand, and my strong attacking game. In this kind of match, you have to focus on yourself and your strengths and then see what works and what doesn’t.
He’s a player with a very powerful racket when given time. So, I had to give him as little time as possible. When he had time, he had many attacking options and a lot of technical ease, which made him more dangerous. I’m happy with my match because I managed to prevent him from doing that.
I came here for the World University Championships, but it’s my first time on the PSA circuit. Edwin [Clain] and I were saying how happy we are to play a PSA in Egypt. It’s like the ‘Promised Land,’ the ‘Land of Champions,’ and even though we’re playing in the qualifiers, it means we’re starting to make our mark…
[6] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) 3-1 Seif El-Shenawy (EGY) 11-1, 6-11, 11-2, 11-3 (36m)
Ibrahim
Seif is not just an Egyptian to play, he is actually my closest friend on Tour, so it was not good for me at all today. We both share everything, on and off court, so today’s match was heartbreaking for us.
I’m happy I’m through in 4, so I can be ready for tomorrow’s battle against.. whoever is winning the match!
Seif is a huge guy, and when he takes control of the middle of the court, it’s difficult to get past him. So I was trying to move him out of the middle, take him to the four corners, and move him a lot, to force errors out of him.
As for me, I’m very happy with my movement today, I feel I moved better than I normally do, the way I moved in front of him and back, I can be happy with that. I feel that the work I have been doing with Omar Abdel Aziz is starting to pay off.
Viktor Byrtus (CZE) 3-2 [10] Sanjay Jeeva (MAS) 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 5-11, 11-7 (61m)
Viktor
I knew coming here that Sanjay was going to be a tough opponent. I’m coming back from injury, so I really had no expectations.
Being 2/0 up against him was amazing, but then I started thinking a bit too much; I got a bit anxious about my injury and if I was going to make it physically, about the result, etc, and I lost a bit of focus. Happy I could regroup in the 5th game, come back to game plan and clinch that fifth.
Tomorrow I’m playing Elkabbani, another very strong player. Let’s hope for the best.
It’s my first time to come to Egypt, ever. So, first reaction is.. it’s very hot and humid. Then there are so many people everywhere! But the driving on the road is the most significant, so different, much more crazy than in Europe. My driver took only 1 hour to come from the airport, I was holding to my dear life, I’m glad I survived…
[14] Emyr Evans (Wal) 3-0 Yannik Omlor (Ger) 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (30m)
Emyr
Pretty happy, a bit cliché, but happy to get off in three, a first match can be tricky. I played him a few times before, he’s been struggling with a few body issues, hopefully he can be more consistent and get more fitness in.
My first time in Egypt, yes. A few people have complained about it but I’m happy, to be honest. Nice hotel, it’s different, and I feel that if you get to play Squash in Egypt, it’s a good thing.
It’s great that they are running qualifying, it’s a great opportunity for the ones that are a bit lower down, that’s all what we asked. The people that around the 40odd in the world have to improve their level for beating us, people like me, instead of automatically get into the World Series. It’s good, it’s great, it’s what we want.
[8] Nour Heikal (EGY) 3-2 Lauren Baltayan (FRA) 11-4, 11-9, 5-11, 10-12, 11-9 (49m)
Nour
I’m really working on my brain at the moment because it’s my biggest enemy right now. We played together in August I think, and it was the exact same scenario! I was up 2/0, she came back to 2/2, and then I clinched the last game.
When I was leading 2/0, I was reliving the last match, like having flashbacks from that time, so I was fighting not to think too much about it.
I was 10/4 in the 5th, I don’t know what happened, my mind just goes places… In the pre-season training, it’s been happening a lot, being up 2/0, then losing the match. But happy that I got through it today, that I didn’t lose the match.
I’m playing Jana tomorrow, I know her well, we are both from Alexandria, she is tough….
[5] Marina Stefanoni (USA) 3-0 Elise Romba (FRA) 11-6, 11-3, 11-3 (24m)
Marina
I was excited to play my first match of the season, everyone wants to play well, they want to establish how they are going to feel for the rest of the season.
I thought I played very well. I never played Elise before, but she is athletic, and hits the ball quickly, so I was trying to match that pace and get into the corners, and feel good on court, and I’m going to play Alison Thomson.
I played quite a simple game today, getting the ball to the back, a little bit of a dying length, and when the ball is up, put it in. Simple squash sometimes just does the trick.
[4] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Lojayn Gohary (EGY) 11-3, 11-6, 11-9 (25m)
Torrie
I was putting a lot of pressure in the first game, pretty simple really, and then I seemed to switch off, got a bit brain dead, but I did what I had to do, get it done in three. My tactic was to make her run as much as possible. I know she got a bad injury a while ago, happy to be through.
I’m used to having so many brothers around me. I love them, they are all amazing, even though we argue a lot, and I cause most of the arguments. It’s good, we get on really well. We are very close, we work as a team, always together. You know you always have support wherever you go, it’s a very good feeling.
Yes we are very organised on social media, we have our own youtube channel, instagram, so yes, it’s good!
[6] Saran Nghiem (Eng) 3-2 Malak Fathy (Egy) 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8 (61m)
Saran
First time in Egypt, yes, first impression, it’s really HOT, that’s my first feel! You step outside and you are just hit with the heat. It takes a little bit to get used to it but I’m really happy there is a lot of AC around the courts. Even walking to breakfast from the rooms to the restaurant [it’s a compound, you walk oustide between the building blocks and the main hotel reception/restaurant], it’s so hot.
But it’s nice, it’s nice that I’m here with everyone, there are not many tournaments where you get all the players around your ranking, all the people you know in the same tournament. It’s nice to have everybody around, getting some advice from the people who have been here before. It’s been good, I’m enjoying it so far.
The first game, I went on I was concentrating, I took the first, it was good. The second, I fell behind, I just lost it after I came back on, she is a good player, she took me in a lot, and she capitalised when I was giving her chances, and I was giving her too many. I tried to claw back in the end, but it was too little too late, she was already game ball up and I went down in the second.
In the third, I recuperated a bit, got my game plan straight, it was better, but in the end, I didn’t take the big points well enough. She had a surge of points right at the end of the game, lost that one as well.
The games were close enough and I was playing well enough, I was right up there with her, and I knew I could take the match if I could screw my head on, which I did in the 4th and 5th.
Just mentally tough for me, I wasn’t concentrating all the way through, but I was happy that the physicality backed it up a bit, I felt that that’s where my base was, because my shots were not as great, and I couldn’t see my options today, which is hard and happens to everyone.
I’m glad I was able to get through it and change some things in the end…
Playing Hanna Craig tomorrow, I haven’t seen her play too much, but she went to the school I am at, Harvard. I know her a bit, it should be fun, she is always smiling, we have friends in common, hopefully we’ll have a good match tomorrow, a good England Ireland rivalry…
Nour Khafagy (Egy) 3-1 [11] Amina El Rihany (Egy) 11-8, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5 (41m)
Nour
The match today was actually so tough, I just come out of an knee injury. I was trying to play as accurately as I could, to not move too much. But then again, Amina is a so good, I couldn’t beat her just by playing shots. I had to build and build, finding the balance between shot selection and accuracy. Luckily, it went my way today.
Tomorrow, I’m playing Cindy, I hope she’ll recover from her injury and be fit for tomorrow. I know how tough ankle injuries are, so I really wish her well.
[3] Cindy Merlo (SUI) 3-1 Salma El Alfy (EGY) 11-1, 11-2, 5-11, 11-9 (65m)
Cindy
It was pretty comfortable at the beginning, I didn’t have to move much. But after, we had a couple of weird rallies, we just got stuck on each other, it was just ackward, I stepped on her foot, she stepped on mine, and it just kept going but eventually, I twisted my ankle. And then it was just over pretty much.
The physio here patched my up, took a bit of time and then I continued on playing, but I couldn’t move, so it was very awkward, and she was feeling so nervous as well. I ended up hitting my shots without moving. And I have no idea how I won that!
I’m just grateful for the win because it was such an easy and comfortable game, I didn’t have to do much so, but ending out of the tournament because I would have had to give up was just not an option for me. So I just had to try something, lucky for me it worked. On my way to the physio now…
[15] Hannah Craig (IRL) 3-1 Nour Ramy (EGY) 5-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-7 (36m)
Hannah
I’m very grateful to Cesar [Salazar] who helped me and coached me today, he sees the game so well and analyses it too. He is a good friend and actually introduced me to my boy friend, Connor Turk, a Canadian Squash Player.
Today I came in with the minset of not thinking about the outcome, and focus on the process, trying to build rallies, stay calm. I was at the European Individuals a few days ago and it’s my first few matches of the season. I was way too tense and overthinking.
So I just wanted to come today, relax and enjoy it, find my targets and play some tider squash.
I’m working with Peter Creed, he’s got the best energy ever, and he has done the Tour, so he always gives me insights. And I’m about to start with Angus Kirkland, who is working with Irish Squash as the High-Performance coach. I’ll get on court for the first time when I come back home.
I just want to give it everything. I’ve done College Squash, I’ve done New York business world, I feel like I’ve seen a lot and it’s always been my dream to play PSA. I’m kind of early to the Tour, but I want to try and and keep getting better, every week, every tournament, and see what happens…
[7] Asia Harris (ENG) 3-1 Ingy Hammouda (EGY) 11-2, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 (36m)
Asia
It’s my first time coming to Egypt as a player, I came but on holidays with my parents…
Today I tried to keep the intensity high, she drops off but at the same time, she is a really good player as well. It’s harder for me to stay in the rally as she is so inconsistent. So I have to focus a little bit more.
But I’m glad to get through my first round, the nerves are gone now, so looking forward to my second round against Rana. I have played her but it was a long time ago…
[10] Rana Ismail (Egy) 3-0 Sofia Mateos (Por) 11-9, 11-3, 11-9 (22m)
Rana
Happy with my performance today as I have been injured recently and was out of training for three weeks before this event.
Although it was my first time playing against Sofia, I started with confidence in the first two games, but I felt a little niggle in my leg – where I had my injury – so I started to think a bit too much and lost a bit of focus. But I’m glad I clinched the third game and the win today.
