Top seed Aamir Atlas Khan (pic) defeated defending champion Nasir Iqbal in today's final of the COAS International in Islamabad for the 4th time.
Iqbal, the 18-year-old world No140 from Peshawar, had carried on where he left off last year - upsetting seeds in both the quarter and semi-finals to reach the final against expectation for the second year in a row.
But Atlas Khan, the 21-year-old world No32 and highest-ranked player in Pakistan, was too strong for the teenager - winning 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in 42 minutes to repeat his title triumphs of 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The success marks the 7th PSA World Tour title of Khan's career.
Final:
[1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Nasir Iqbal (PAK) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (42m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt [4] Farhan Zaman (PAK) 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9 (57m)
Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt [3] Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (61m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Waqas Mehboob (PAK) 11-9, 11-1, 11-5 (29m)
[4] Farhan Zaman (PAK) bt Muhammad Saqib Yousaf (PAK) 4-11, 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 (57m)
[3] Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Mansoor Zaman (PAK) 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 (37m)
Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt [2] Farhan Mehboob (PAK) 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 (50m)
1st round:
[1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt [Q] Shamsul Islam Khan (PAK) 11-6, 11-3, 11-6 (22m)
Waqas Mehboob (PAK) bt [Q] Syed Hamzah Shah Bukhari (PAK) 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (52m)
Muhammad Saqib Yousaf (PAK) bt Ammad Fareed (PAK) 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (29m)
[4] Farhan Zaman (PAK) bt Muhammad Shah Nawaz (PAK) 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (42m)
[3] Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Waqar Mehboob (PAK) 11-8, 11-3, 4-11, 11-5 (70m)
Mansoor Zaman (PAK) bt [Q] Kashif Khan (PAK) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (29m)
Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt [Q] Syed Ali Shah Bokhari (PAK) 11-2, 11-8, 11-1 (27m)
[2] Farhan Mehboob (PAK) bt Aqib Hanif (PAK) 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 (32m)
Category: "all posts"
Aamir wins 4th COAS International crown!
April 22, 2012 • Tags: Aamir Atlas Khan, Islamabad, Nasir Iqbal, Pakistan, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Daryl Selby vs Greg Gaultier: dive or not?
April 19, 2012 • Tags: Daryl Selby, Greg Gaultier, PSA, ROWE British Grand Prix • Categories: all posts, players, videos
Match between Greg Gaultier and Daryl Selby at the ROWE British Grand Prix 2011. It looked like a collision in the 1st place and a letball was given. But was there any contact or was it a dive like some football players used to do?
Qatar to Host 2012 PSA World Championship!
April 17, 2012 • Tags: Doha, Men's World Championship, Men's World Open, PSA, Qatar • Categories: all posts, associations, tournaments
The 2012 PSA World Squash Championship will be held in Doha in December, following an agreement reached between the Professional Squash Association and the Qatar Squash Federation.
The $300,000 event, the second richest in the sport's history, will take place from 7-14 December. Qatar will be hosting the event formerly known as the 'World Open' for the 3rd time, having previously staged the premier championship on the PSA World Tour in 1998 and 2004.
On the issue of the event's title change, Beachill explained: "The winner is the World Champion - so we decided to drop 'Open' and replace it with 'Championship' for clarity. Most other sports also have a world championship - we feel it's much more understandable."
England's Nick Matthew is the reigning PSA World Champion after becoming the 1st player for 15 years to successfully defend the title last November in Rotterdam.
The $300,000 event, the second richest in the sport's history, will take place from 7-14 December. Qatar will be hosting the event formerly known as the 'World Open' for the 3rd time, having previously staged the premier championship on the PSA World Tour in 1998 and 2004.
On the issue of the event's title change, Beachill explained: "The winner is the World Champion - so we decided to drop 'Open' and replace it with 'Championship' for clarity. Most other sports also have a world championship - we feel it's much more understandable."
England's Nick Matthew is the reigning PSA World Champion after becoming the 1st player for 15 years to successfully defend the title last November in Rotterdam.
Walker beat Richards to take Berkshire Open title!
April 16, 2012 • Tags: Alister Walker, Berkshire Open, PSA, Tom Richards, USA, Williamstown • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
As World Open Champion Nick Matthew will be live in BBC1 at 10.35 UK time today, it was a 2nd successive Berkshire Open runner-up finish for Tom Richards (ri) as top seed Alister Walker (le) romped to a straight games victory over the Englishman in the final in Williamstown, USA.
Walker, the world No18 from Botswana who survived 131 minutes a 5-game semi-final battle against 3rd seed Borja Golan was in surprisingly fresh form as he despatched his former compatriot Richards 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in 44 minutes.
The triumph marks the 6th title of Walker's career - but the 3rd since the 29-year-old former Englishman switched his allegiance to Botswana, his country of birth, last June.
"After last night's brutal match with Borja, my body was really struggling and I didn't expect much in the final - which probably worked in my favour because I was very relaxed against Tom in the final," said Walker post-match.
"For me it is a real privilege to get Botswana its third PSA title - and I am hoping the results will help in our association's attempts to re-energise the sport at home. In turn hopefully we can send a national team to the World Team Championships in France next year."
Final:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [2] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (44m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [3] Borja Golan (ESP) 12-10, 4-11, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 (131m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (55m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 (38m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-1, 11-4, 11-6 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Yasir Butt (PAK) 2-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (41m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (40m)
1st round:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (74m)
[Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (50m)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [Q] Scott Arnold (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9 (82m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [4] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 (70m)
Yasir Butt (PAK) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9 (56m)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-7, 12-10, 11-7 (44m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 (65m)
Walker, the world No18 from Botswana who survived 131 minutes a 5-game semi-final battle against 3rd seed Borja Golan was in surprisingly fresh form as he despatched his former compatriot Richards 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 in 44 minutes.
The triumph marks the 6th title of Walker's career - but the 3rd since the 29-year-old former Englishman switched his allegiance to Botswana, his country of birth, last June.
"After last night's brutal match with Borja, my body was really struggling and I didn't expect much in the final - which probably worked in my favour because I was very relaxed against Tom in the final," said Walker post-match.
"For me it is a real privilege to get Botswana its third PSA title - and I am hoping the results will help in our association's attempts to re-energise the sport at home. In turn hopefully we can send a national team to the World Team Championships in France next year."
Final:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [2] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (44m)
Semi-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [3] Borja Golan (ESP) 12-10, 4-11, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 (131m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (55m)
Quarter-finals:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt [Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 (38m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-1, 11-4, 11-6 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Yasir Butt (PAK) 2-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (41m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 (40m)
1st round:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (74m)
[Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (50m)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [Q] Scott Arnold (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9 (82m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 (27m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [4] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 (70m)
Yasir Butt (PAK) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9 (56m)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-7, 12-10, 11-7 (44m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10 (65m)
PST Champion vs PSA Champion …
April 15, 2012 • Tags: Alex Gough, David Palmer, Nick Matthew, PSA, PST • Categories: all posts, associations, players
As you may be aware, the US-based PST has issued a challenge to the PSA whereby their respective champions or representatives play in a challenge match or two. There’s been a bit of a debate on this on the Let’s Talk forum …
Here’s the thread and here’s the Original PST Challenge. But we couldn’t resist copying this latest post from forum regular “Prophet“.
Brriing brriing…. Brriing brriing….Brriing brriing
NM: Hello, Nick speaking.
AG: Oh hi Nick, Alex Gough here. Sorry to bother you right now, I know that you’re over in Egypt playing the world’s best players over the next few days but I thought you should be made aware of something. It’s all over the internet. You’ve been challenged by the PST Crew.
NM: The who?
AG: No, not The Who, that’s an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey, Pete Townsend, John Entwistle and the legendary Keith Moon.
NM: No, I meant who is PST?
AG: Oh sorry, silly me, just had a blonde moment. It’s the Professional Squash Tour.
NM: Isn’t that us, the squash touring professionals?
AG: Well yeah… but no… but yeah… but no… but yeah… but no… but yeah… but no ‘cause they only play in America.
NM: But I distinctly recall playing in America in February, at the North American Open. So it is us then.
AG: No Nick, this is a completely different group of professionals.
NM: Really! What makes them different?
AG: They play a different kind of squash. It’s called ‘No Lets’ squash.
NM: Hmm…‘No Lets’ squash eh…You winding me up?
AG: No no Nick, it’s straight up.
NM: Playing without lets. Isn’t that a little bit dangerous?
AG: Well I’m sure it would be but as I understand it they do call lets in dangerous situations.
NM: So… they call it ‘No lets’ squash but they actually call lets. Isn’t that slightly disingenuous/misleading/dishonest?
AG: Probably.
NM: So why do they call it ‘No lets’ squash when they actually call lets?
AG: Erm…… well…… er……
NM: Never mind, skip that one. So what’s in it for me?
AG: Well, let me see. You might get to play the PST World champion.
NM: You what!!! But I’m the World champion. How can there be another World champion.
AG: Well, the PST calls the winner of their tour the PST World champion.
NM: You are winding me up. That’s completely loony….. Oh never mind. So, who’s likely to be this alternative ‘World’ champion then?
AG: Er… David Palmer.
NM: David Palmer!!! The only David Palmer I know is Australian David Palmer who retired after the World Open in Rotterdam and then cleared off to the States to earn some cash playing in some tinpot………. Oh! So it is David Palmer.
AG: Yes Nick
NM: With all respect to Dave I beat him at least on the last three occasions we played, all in 2011, and when he retired I was World #1 whilst he was World #9. So, at the risk of sounding repetitive, what’s in it for me?
AG: Well, PST Commissioner ‘Dodgy’ Joe McManus expects it would be ”the single most anticipated match of the era” on a par with the Ali vs Frazier Thrilla’ in Manilla heavy weight fight in ‘75, the whole squash watching public want it to happen and you might even get to try out ‘No lets’ squash. So Nick, what do you think?
NM: ...
AG: Did you hear me Nick?
NM: ...
AG: Hello Nick, are you still there Nick? Hello Nick, hello, hello…..
Original version at SquashSite365.com
Here’s the thread and here’s the Original PST Challenge. But we couldn’t resist copying this latest post from forum regular “Prophet“.
Brriing brriing…. Brriing brriing….Brriing brriing
NM: Hello, Nick speaking.
AG: Oh hi Nick, Alex Gough here. Sorry to bother you right now, I know that you’re over in Egypt playing the world’s best players over the next few days but I thought you should be made aware of something. It’s all over the internet. You’ve been challenged by the PST Crew.
NM: The who?
AG: No, not The Who, that’s an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey, Pete Townsend, John Entwistle and the legendary Keith Moon.
NM: No, I meant who is PST?
AG: Oh sorry, silly me, just had a blonde moment. It’s the Professional Squash Tour.
NM: Isn’t that us, the squash touring professionals?
AG: Well yeah… but no… but yeah… but no… but yeah… but no… but yeah… but no ‘cause they only play in America.
NM: But I distinctly recall playing in America in February, at the North American Open. So it is us then.
AG: No Nick, this is a completely different group of professionals.
NM: Really! What makes them different?
AG: They play a different kind of squash. It’s called ‘No Lets’ squash.
NM: Hmm…‘No Lets’ squash eh…You winding me up?
AG: No no Nick, it’s straight up.
NM: Playing without lets. Isn’t that a little bit dangerous?
AG: Well I’m sure it would be but as I understand it they do call lets in dangerous situations.
NM: So… they call it ‘No lets’ squash but they actually call lets. Isn’t that slightly disingenuous/misleading/dishonest?
AG: Probably.
NM: So why do they call it ‘No lets’ squash when they actually call lets?
AG: Erm…… well…… er……
NM: Never mind, skip that one. So what’s in it for me?
AG: Well, let me see. You might get to play the PST World champion.
NM: You what!!! But I’m the World champion. How can there be another World champion.
AG: Well, the PST calls the winner of their tour the PST World champion.
NM: You are winding me up. That’s completely loony….. Oh never mind. So, who’s likely to be this alternative ‘World’ champion then?
AG: Er… David Palmer.
NM: David Palmer!!! The only David Palmer I know is Australian David Palmer who retired after the World Open in Rotterdam and then cleared off to the States to earn some cash playing in some tinpot………. Oh! So it is David Palmer.
AG: Yes Nick
NM: With all respect to Dave I beat him at least on the last three occasions we played, all in 2011, and when he retired I was World #1 whilst he was World #9. So, at the risk of sounding repetitive, what’s in it for me?
AG: Well, PST Commissioner ‘Dodgy’ Joe McManus expects it would be ”the single most anticipated match of the era” on a par with the Ali vs Frazier Thrilla’ in Manilla heavy weight fight in ‘75, the whole squash watching public want it to happen and you might even get to try out ‘No lets’ squash. So Nick, what do you think?
NM: ...
AG: Did you hear me Nick?
NM: ...
AG: Hello Nick, are you still there Nick? Hello Nick, hello, hello…..
Original version at SquashSite365.com
Ramy El Gouna Champion as Willstrop concede!
April 13, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, James Willstrop, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Everythings seems to be fine with World No1 James Willstrop in the 1st game as the Englishman managed to control and lead most of it, but Ramy Ashour (pi) injects pace at the end to take the game on extra points.
Ramy’s comeback had different effects on the players. As Ashour was on fire and dominated the 2nd game at his discretion, Willstrop started to complain about the court conditions. Ashour did not take any notice and doubled his advantage before an appreciative crowd.
During the break between game 2 and 3 Willstrop was in intense discussions with PSA CEO Alex Gough. Whatever had been discussed, Willstrop did not look as he seems to be very happy but came back on court for the 3rd game. The Egyptian did not mess around and lead the 3rd game 5-2 as Willstrop conceded the match due to the floor conditions (12-10, 11-5, 5-2 rtd).
Check out the El Gouna International gallery.
Ramy’s comeback had different effects on the players. As Ashour was on fire and dominated the 2nd game at his discretion, Willstrop started to complain about the court conditions. Ashour did not take any notice and doubled his advantage before an appreciative crowd.
During the break between game 2 and 3 Willstrop was in intense discussions with PSA CEO Alex Gough. Whatever had been discussed, Willstrop did not look as he seems to be very happy but came back on court for the 3rd game. The Egyptian did not mess around and lead the 3rd game 5-2 as Willstrop conceded the match due to the floor conditions (12-10, 11-5, 5-2 rtd).
Check out the El Gouna International gallery.
El Gouna conditions cause disruption at the semis!
April 13, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, James Willstrop, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
It was an unfortunate start to the El Gouna International semi-finals when the 1st semi-final was suspended in the 2nd game due to the players slipped on the floor of the glass court, as the wind at the Abu Tig Marina was loaded with sand too. James Willstrop had taken that game, which the players decided to continue on the traditional court inside the Movenpick hotel – where Willstrop quickly finished the match off in straight games (11-7, 11-5, 11-2).
Meanwhile after extensive court cleaning and testing of the floor by the players, the 2nd semi-final started on the ASB glass court, where Ramy Ashour (le) and Englishman Nick Matthew (ri) did not have any of the problems the 1st semi-final contenders had. Ashour reached his 2nd El Gouna final, winning a fast-paced and enthralling 4-game encounter 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 to set up another Egypt v England clash in tomorrow’s final.
Meanwhile after extensive court cleaning and testing of the floor by the players, the 2nd semi-final started on the ASB glass court, where Ramy Ashour (le) and Englishman Nick Matthew (ri) did not have any of the problems the 1st semi-final contenders had. Ashour reached his 2nd El Gouna final, winning a fast-paced and enthralling 4-game encounter 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 to set up another Egypt v England clash in tomorrow’s final.
Willstrop and Ashour followed to El Gouna semis!
April 12, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, James Willstrop, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
World No1 James Willstrop faced an early onslaught from Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, who was delighted as he took the 28-minute 1st game 11-9. Willstrop quickly regrouped himself and started dominating the game to take the 9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 victory after 69 minutes.
In the last quarter-final of the day Ramy Ashour (ri) delighted his home crowd at the Abu Tig marina with a marvelous attacking display against 2nd seed Greg Gaultier (le). To be fair, the Frenchman was equally impressive for most of the match, but Ashour found the necessary extra when it was needed to win 11-5, 12-10, 11-8.
The set-up of the semi-finals at El Gouna will be Egypt v England, Willstrop v Darwish and Matthew v Ashour.
In the last quarter-final of the day Ramy Ashour (ri) delighted his home crowd at the Abu Tig marina with a marvelous attacking display against 2nd seed Greg Gaultier (le). To be fair, the Frenchman was equally impressive for most of the match, but Ashour found the necessary extra when it was needed to win 11-5, 12-10, 11-8.
The set-up of the semi-finals at El Gouna will be Egypt v England, Willstrop v Darwish and Matthew v Ashour.
