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.
Category: "players"
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
Darwish and Matthew made the semis in El Gouna!
April 11, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, Karim Darwish, Nick Matthew, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Defending champion Karim Darwish was the 1st player to reach the semi-finals of the El Gouna International as Darwish played more conservative than fellow Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy. Darwish started to win the 1st as Shorbagy pulled back, but Darwish again stepped ahead and Shorbagy was able to level again. In the decider, it was the experienced Darwish who was moving 9-6 ahead as Shorbagy slipped in the back corner and took 3 minutes recovery time. But afterwards Darwish quickly finished (11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6) to reach the last 4.
In the 2nd quarter-final World Champion Nick Matthew faced Egyptian Hisham Ashour, whose magic style had delivered him a long-awaited win over Amr Shabana yesterday. The Englishman was a different proposition as he was controlling the game and limiting Ashour’s attacking opportunities. Even with a 10-6 lead in the 2nd Ashour missed his chances as Matthew pulled back to win on extra point and took the momentum to take the 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 victory.
In the 2nd quarter-final World Champion Nick Matthew faced Egyptian Hisham Ashour, whose magic style had delivered him a long-awaited win over Amr Shabana yesterday. The Englishman was a different proposition as he was controlling the game and limiting Ashour’s attacking opportunities. Even with a 10-6 lead in the 2nd Ashour missed his chances as Matthew pulled back to win on extra point and took the momentum to take the 11-6, 12-10, 11-7 victory.
No surprises on the Show Glass Court in El Gouna!
April 11, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, Greg Gaultier, James Willstrop, Karim Darwish, Nick Matthew, PSA • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Egyptian Ali Anwar Reda (le) gave home hopes a push as he took the opening game and had game balls at 10-8 in the 2nd against Nick Matthew (ri). But the English World champion survived the scary situation to take the game 14-12 and closed out the match 9-11, 14-12, 11-6, 11-6.
Defending champion Karim Darwish looked to be taken by surprise by Jonathan Kemp as the Englishman took the 1st game 11-7. But the Egyptian dominated the next 3 games in style 7-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3.
Top seed James Willstrop saved 5 game balls in his 1st game as Saurav Ghosal played very well on the ASB all glass court. But Willstrop got the upper hand 14-12, 11-2, 11-7.
The final match saw 2nd seed Greg Gaultier 2 games ahead and had match balls at 10-4. Mermany’s Simon Rosner fought back to 10-all and took the tiebreak and pulled a game back. But Gaultier took the next 9 points in a row take a 11-6, 11-8, 12-14, 11-1 victory.
Defending champion Karim Darwish looked to be taken by surprise by Jonathan Kemp as the Englishman took the 1st game 11-7. But the Egyptian dominated the next 3 games in style 7-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3.
Top seed James Willstrop saved 5 game balls in his 1st game as Saurav Ghosal played very well on the ASB all glass court. But Willstrop got the upper hand 14-12, 11-2, 11-7.
The final match saw 2nd seed Greg Gaultier 2 games ahead and had match balls at 10-4. Mermany’s Simon Rosner fought back to 10-all and took the tiebreak and pulled a game back. But Gaultier took the next 9 points in a row take a 11-6, 11-8, 12-14, 11-1 victory.
Three Egyptians through on traditional court session!
April 10, 2012 • Tags: Egypt, El Gouna, El Gouna International Open, Hisham Ashour, Laurens Jan Anjema, Mohamed El Shorbagy, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
The 1st 4 matches of the 2nd round in the El Gouna International have been played on the traditional courts. 8th seeded Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema met speedy Egyptian Tarek Momen. Both shared the 1st 2 games but Anjema had more energy left to close out the match 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7.
The next match was featured by 21-year-old Mohamed El Shorbagy and 36-year-old Thierry Lincou. The Frenchman was 7-5 ahead in the decider as Shorbagy got back to take the 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8 victory.
In the all-Egyptian affair, it was the 1st time in 10 meetings that Hisham Ashour (ri) beat four-time world champion Amr Shabana (le) 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8. Hisham’s 1st reaction: “I feel like crying, man …”.
Ramy Ashour made it 3 for Egypt in the session as he beat England's Adrian Grant in 4 fast and furious games 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 11-1.
The next match was featured by 21-year-old Mohamed El Shorbagy and 36-year-old Thierry Lincou. The Frenchman was 7-5 ahead in the decider as Shorbagy got back to take the 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8 victory.
In the all-Egyptian affair, it was the 1st time in 10 meetings that Hisham Ashour (ri) beat four-time world champion Amr Shabana (le) 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8. Hisham’s 1st reaction: “I feel like crying, man …”.
Ramy Ashour made it 3 for Egypt in the session as he beat England's Adrian Grant in 4 fast and furious games 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 11-1.
Koukal crowned Konutlari Champion!
April 8, 2012 • Tags: Avrupa Konutlari International, Istanbul, Jan Koukal, Julien Balbo, PSA, Turkey • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Czech Jan Koukal notched up the 20th PSA World Tour title of his career when he beat Julien Balbo in the final of the Avrupa Konutlari International in its 2nd year in the Turkish city of Istanbul.
Czech Jan Koukal notched up the 20th PSA World Tour title of his career when he beat Julien Balbo in the final of the Avrupa Konutlari International in its 2nd year in the Turkish city of Istanbul.
A seeding collapse early in the event meant that favourite Koukal won the title without facing another seed - reaching the final after fighting back from a game down to beat German outsider Raphael Kandra 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8.
Frenchman Balbo made his breakthrough in the opening round, where he ousted 2nd - seeded compatriot Yann Perrin. The 32-year-old made the final - the 14th of his career - after dismissing Kuwaiti Bader Al Hussaini in straight games.
Balbo stretched Czech number one Koukal to 4 games - but the 28-year-old from Prague maintained the upper hand to win 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-4.
Final: [1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Julien Balbo (FRA) 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-4
Semi-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8
Julien Balbo (FRA) bt Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7
Quarter-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [Q] Bart Ravelli (NED) 11-7, 11-6, 11-9
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [4] Jens Schoor (GER) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8
Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) bt Joan Lezaud (FRA) 9-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-5
Julien Balbo (FRA) bt Geoffrey Demont (FRA) 13-11, 11-8, 11-9
1st round:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [Q] Patrick Miescher (SUI) 11-7, 11-6, 11-8
[Q] Bart Ravelli (NED) bt Fabien Verseille (FRA) 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [Q] Osama Khaled Khalifa (EGY) 11-6, 11-7, 11-7
[4] Jens Schoor (GER) bt Alejandro Garbi Caro (ESP) 6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5
Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) bt [3] Kashif Shuja (NZL) 7-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9
Joan Lezaud (FRA) bt [Q] Frank Hartkoren (NED) 13-11, 11-5, 11-6
Geoffrey Demont (FRA) bt Huseyin Gumus (TUR) 11-4, 11-1, 11-3
Julien Balbo (FRA) bt [2] Yann Perrin (FRA) 11-3, 11-8, 11-9
Czech Jan Koukal notched up the 20th PSA World Tour title of his career when he beat Julien Balbo in the final of the Avrupa Konutlari International in its 2nd year in the Turkish city of Istanbul.
A seeding collapse early in the event meant that favourite Koukal won the title without facing another seed - reaching the final after fighting back from a game down to beat German outsider Raphael Kandra 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8.
Frenchman Balbo made his breakthrough in the opening round, where he ousted 2nd - seeded compatriot Yann Perrin. The 32-year-old made the final - the 14th of his career - after dismissing Kuwaiti Bader Al Hussaini in straight games.
Balbo stretched Czech number one Koukal to 4 games - but the 28-year-old from Prague maintained the upper hand to win 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-4.
Final: [1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Julien Balbo (FRA) 11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 11-4
Semi-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 7-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8
Julien Balbo (FRA) bt Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7
Quarter-finals:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [Q] Bart Ravelli (NED) 11-7, 11-6, 11-9
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [4] Jens Schoor (GER) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8
Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) bt Joan Lezaud (FRA) 9-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-5
Julien Balbo (FRA) bt Geoffrey Demont (FRA) 13-11, 11-8, 11-9
1st round:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [Q] Patrick Miescher (SUI) 11-7, 11-6, 11-8
[Q] Bart Ravelli (NED) bt Fabien Verseille (FRA) 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [Q] Osama Khaled Khalifa (EGY) 11-6, 11-7, 11-7
[4] Jens Schoor (GER) bt Alejandro Garbi Caro (ESP) 6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5
Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) bt [3] Kashif Shuja (NZL) 7-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9
Joan Lezaud (FRA) bt [Q] Frank Hartkoren (NED) 13-11, 11-5, 11-6
Geoffrey Demont (FRA) bt Huseyin Gumus (TUR) 11-4, 11-1, 11-3
Julien Balbo (FRA) bt [2] Yann Perrin (FRA) 11-3, 11-8, 11-9
Outrageous rally with Alister and Ramy!
April 6, 2012 • Tags: Alister Walker, PSA, Ramy Ashour • Categories: all posts, players, videos
One day to go to the main draw action at the El Gouna International Open in Egypt. To prepare you for spectacular squash, check out the outrageous rally at the World Open, featured by Alister Walker and Ramy Ashour ...
Willstrop extends World Ranking lead!
April 3, 2012 • Tags: Greg Gaultier, James Willstrop, Omar Mosaad, PSA, Thierry Lincou, World Ranking • Categories: all posts, associations, players
England's James Willstrop (le) has extended his lead at the top of the new April PSA Men's World Squash Rankings, as the 28-year-old is celebrating his 3rd month in pole position after 1st topping the rankings in January.
Fellow countryman Nick Matthew still remains in 3rd place in the list, just behind Frenchman Greg Gaultier (re). A trio of Egyptians occupy the next 3 places - Karim Darwish, Ramy Ashour and Amr Shabana.
Frenchman Thierry Lincou bounce back into the top at ten after a 4-month absence - on his 36th birthday!
Twin title success in March for Omar Mosaad has led to the Egyptian recording a career-high world No12 ranking. And England's Tom Richards also marks a career-best ranking this month - leaping five places to No15.
April 2012 top 20 (inc. points average):
1 [1] James Willstrop ENG 1,569
2 [2] Gregory Gaultier FRA 1,296
3 [3] Nick Matthew ENG 1,261
4 [4] Karim Darwish EGY 930
5 [5] Ramy Ashour EGY 872
6 [6] Amr Shabana EGY 643
7 [7] Peter Barker ENG 627
8 [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy EGY 599
9 [9] Laurens Jan Anjema NED 478
10 [12] Thierry Lincou FRA 445
11 [11] Daryl Selby ENG 431
12 [13] Omar Mosaad EGY 426
13 [10] Mohd Azlan Iskandar MAS 389
14 [15] Cameron Pilley AUS 340
15 [20] Tom Richards ENG 336
16 [14] Hisham Mohd Ashour EGY 335
17 [16] Adrian Grant ENG 335
18 [18] Simon Rosner GER 319
18 [17] Alister Walker BOT 319
20 [19] Tarek Momen EGY 310
Fellow countryman Nick Matthew still remains in 3rd place in the list, just behind Frenchman Greg Gaultier (re). A trio of Egyptians occupy the next 3 places - Karim Darwish, Ramy Ashour and Amr Shabana.
Frenchman Thierry Lincou bounce back into the top at ten after a 4-month absence - on his 36th birthday!
Twin title success in March for Omar Mosaad has led to the Egyptian recording a career-high world No12 ranking. And England's Tom Richards also marks a career-best ranking this month - leaping five places to No15.
April 2012 top 20 (inc. points average):
1 [1] James Willstrop ENG 1,569
2 [2] Gregory Gaultier FRA 1,296
3 [3] Nick Matthew ENG 1,261
4 [4] Karim Darwish EGY 930
5 [5] Ramy Ashour EGY 872
6 [6] Amr Shabana EGY 643
7 [7] Peter Barker ENG 627
8 [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy EGY 599
9 [9] Laurens Jan Anjema NED 478
10 [12] Thierry Lincou FRA 445
11 [11] Daryl Selby ENG 431
12 [13] Omar Mosaad EGY 426
13 [10] Mohd Azlan Iskandar MAS 389
14 [15] Cameron Pilley AUS 340
15 [20] Tom Richards ENG 336
16 [14] Hisham Mohd Ashour EGY 335
17 [16] Adrian Grant ENG 335
18 [18] Simon Rosner GER 319
18 [17] Alister Walker BOT 319
20 [19] Tarek Momen EGY 310
Lincou celebrates early birthday present in Canada!
April 1, 2012 • Tags: Bluenose Classic, Canada, Daryl Selby, Halifax, PSA, Thierry Lincou • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments
Just 2 days before his 36th birthday, unseeded Frenchman Thierry Lincou (front) emphatically showed what a major force he still is after upsetting 4th seed Daryl Selby (back) in a marathon Bluenose Squash Classic final to win in Halifax.
Both players had reached the climax after notable upsets, world No12 Lincou over Egyptian favourite Amr Shabana, the world No6, and Selby over second-seeded Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, ranked 9 in the world.
Lincou, whose remarkable PSA Tour record now reads '44 final appearances and 23 titles', was delighted to have successfully defended his 2010 title 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4 after 92 minutes. "I am a happy man - and it's a great early birthday present, as I am 36 in two days", said the Frenchman.
Final:
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [4] Daryl Selby (ENG) 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4 (92m)
Semi-finals:
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [3] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 (36m)
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (53m)
Quarter-finals: Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [1] Amr Shabana (EGY) 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 (48m)
[3] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 (52m) [4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 (56m)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-4, 13-11, 11-7 (38m)
1st round:
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [Q] Chris Simpson (ENG) 11-9, 12-10, 11-4 (33m)
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Martin Knight (NZL) 11-2, 11-9, 11-4 (30m)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt Andrew Schnell (CAN) 11-6, 11-8, 11-2 (31m)
[3] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-3, 11-4, 2-0 ret. (20m)
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (40m)
Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (42m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-2, 9-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8 (69m)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-7, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8 (63m)
Qualifying finals:
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt Matt Bishop (CAN) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (28m)
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt Robbie Temple (ENG) 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 (42m)
Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Charles Sharpes (ENG) 9-11, 12-14, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4 (73m)
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Joe Lee (ENG) 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 3-11, 11-6 (78m)
1st qualifying round:
Matt Bishop (CAN) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 9-4 ret.
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt David Letourneau (CAN) 6-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 (78m)
Robbie Temple (ENG) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-5, 11-5, 13-11 (50m)
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt Dane Sharp (CAN) 11-8, 11-8, 2-11, 11-4 (52m)
Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 9-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (64m)
Charles Sharpes (ENG) bt Eric Galvez (MEX) 3-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 (60m)
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Fred Reid (CAN) 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3 (37m)
Joe Lee (ENG) bt Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 11-3 ret.
Both players had reached the climax after notable upsets, world No12 Lincou over Egyptian favourite Amr Shabana, the world No6, and Selby over second-seeded Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, ranked 9 in the world.
Lincou, whose remarkable PSA Tour record now reads '44 final appearances and 23 titles', was delighted to have successfully defended his 2010 title 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4 after 92 minutes. "I am a happy man - and it's a great early birthday present, as I am 36 in two days", said the Frenchman.
Final:
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [4] Daryl Selby (ENG) 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4 (92m)
Semi-finals:
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [3] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 12-10, 11-5, 11-5 (36m)
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (53m)
Quarter-finals: Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [1] Amr Shabana (EGY) 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 (48m)
[3] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 11-8, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 (52m) [4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 11-6, 11-7, 11-7 (56m)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-4, 13-11, 11-7 (38m)
1st round:
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [Q] Chris Simpson (ENG) 11-9, 12-10, 11-4 (33m)
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Martin Knight (NZL) 11-2, 11-9, 11-4 (30m)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt Andrew Schnell (CAN) 11-6, 11-8, 11-2 (31m)
[3] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-3, 11-4, 2-0 ret. (20m)
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (40m)
Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (42m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [Q] Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-2, 9-11, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8 (69m)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-7, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8 (63m)
Qualifying finals:
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt Matt Bishop (CAN) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (28m)
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt Robbie Temple (ENG) 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 (42m)
Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Charles Sharpes (ENG) 9-11, 12-14, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4 (73m)
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Joe Lee (ENG) 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 3-11, 11-6 (78m)
1st qualifying round:
Matt Bishop (CAN) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 9-4 ret.
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt David Letourneau (CAN) 6-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 (78m)
Robbie Temple (ENG) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-5, 11-5, 13-11 (50m)
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt Dane Sharp (CAN) 11-8, 11-8, 2-11, 11-4 (52m)
Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 9-11, 11-13, 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (64m)
Charles Sharpes (ENG) bt Eric Galvez (MEX) 3-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 (60m)
Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt Fred Reid (CAN) 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3 (37m)
Joe Lee (ENG) bt Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 11-3 ret.
