[1] Ali Farag (Egy) 3-1 Nicolas Mueller (Sui) 6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 (48m)
A bit too relaxed at times, Mr Fantastic was I thought, I even thought “THIS IS NOT A DRILL” at times, but then again, start of the season, playing the most laid back player on the planet, difficult to be intense!!!
A very pleasant match, they know each other quite well, appreciate each other, and it showed tonight…
That is unbelievable from @MuellerNicolas 🤯
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— PSA Squash Tour (@PSASquashTour) September 1, 2024
Nicolas : Yes, Fram, it’s always hard to play against me, there is not much rhythm!
As Ali just said, I found my length better than he did in the first game. I took him by surprise there. I played some good lines, especially on the forehand, I was hitting the ball harder than usual.
I had a good summer training, but after one and a half two game, I run out of gas. Maybe the two matches I had, 5 setters, the heat, and obviously, he is the world number one for a reason!
In the third, I had some good lines but after a while, again, I just run out of gas, and downhill from there.
But it’s a good start of the season, I feel really good, I feel fitter than when I was in my 20s. I tell you something. The Olympics, and watching all the Paris’ stuff gave me a massive boost, and it’s definitely one of my goals to keep going for another 4 years, so you are going to be seeing me for the next four years…
Ali : “It’s always the story between me and Nicky, he always starts better than I do. He finds his corners earlier on and for me, it’s tricky playing outdoors on a glass court for the first time in a long time. I was being stubborn and going for silly boasts and he punished me for it.
“It’s an honest court, it hits the ball really truly. And playing outdoors is never easy, although I’m saying that as an Egyptian so I’m sure it’s even harder for Nicky! I thought he fought really hard. This is what you train for.”
