Egypt’s El Hammamy, England’s Curtis Malik advance to semi-finals of squash event
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s last remaining hope Asim Khan suffered a quarter-final defeat at the Venice ABC Cup at DHA Creek Club here on Friday, losing 3-1 to Egypt’s Karim El Hammamy in the men’s singles event.
Asim, one of Pakistan’s experienced campaigners, made a promising start after losing the opening game 11-8. He fought back strongly to win the second set 11-7 and level the match 1-1.
However, El Hammamy regained control in the following games, winning 11-8 and 11-7 to seal victory and book his place in the semi-finals.
The Egyptian capitalised on Asim’s weaknesses in the closing stages while the Pakistani appeared to struggle with fatigue as the match progressed.
Pakistan’s other experienced player Nasir Iqbal had already exited the competition in the first round, leaving Asim as the country’s key representative in the men’s singles quarter-finals.
In another men’s singles quarter-final, top seed Curtis Malik of England defeated Z Ibrahim 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals. Malik dominated the encounter, winning 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.
Egypt’s Yassin Shohdy also progressed after defeating compatriot Salah Eltorgman 3-1. Shohdy lost the second game 11-4 after taking the opener 11-9, but recovered to win the third 11-5 before clinching the fourth 12-10.
In the women’s singles quarter-finals, Egypt’s Habiba Rizk overcame England’s Lucy Turmel 3-2 in a closely contested encounter. Rizk won 11-7, 11-8 and 11-8 in the first, third and deciding games, while Turmel took the second 11-8 and the fourth 11-3.
Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby defeated Hong Kong’s Toby Tse 3-0, winning 11-4, 11-1, 11-8. Nadine Shahin of Egypt beat Japan’s Akari Midorikawa 3-1, while compatriot Amina El Rihany swept South Africa’s Hayley Ward 3-0, winning 11-7, 11-2, 11-9 in the quarter-finals.