All News

British Open – Round Two concludes

15 May 2015

The second day’s Round Two action of the Allam British Open in Hull saw the quarter-finalists decided …

Heroic Hesham Downs Mosaad In British Open Upset

21-year-old Egyptian talent Mazen Hesham produced a stunning performance in the second round of the 2015 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament, to book his place in the quarter-finals after downing compatriot Omar Mosaad in a giant-killing act at Hull’s Airco Arena.

The World No.32, who only found himself in the main draw following the withdrawal of four-time World Champion Amr Shabana prior to the start of the competition, twice came from behind in a thrilling encounter with the towering World No.9 in which he displayed a dazzling array of talents that was at times totally sublime.

Despite never previously making it past the qualifying stages at the prestigious ‘Wimbledon of Squash’ the youngster followed up his first round win over Hong Kong’s Leo Au to take out Mosaad and move into the quarter-finals of a PSA World Series event for the first time in his career.

“I’m so happy to be in the quarter-finals of a World Series event for the first time in my life especially in such a big event like the British Open,” said Hesham.

“This is one of the biggest wins of my career. It’s the second time I have played and beaten a top ten player and it’s an awesome feeling but it’s also a little emotional because I know him so well.

“Omar has been a role-model for me and all the other Egyptians and he’s a great sportsman and example to all of us – he’s like a big brother to me.

“I play him probably once a week so we know each other’s games pretty well but I’m sure he’s going to be happy for me, he’s a good guy, and I’m very very happy to win and I’m going to sleep as much, and eat as much, as I can to get ready for tomorrow.”

Hesham will now face defending champion Gregory Gaultier in the last eight after the Frenchman rolled past England’s Tom Richards, taking just 34-minutes to complete a straight-forward 11-3, 11-1, 11-7 win.

Elsewhere there were wins for Egyptian Tarek Momen, who defeated compatriot Zahed Mohamed, and Colombian World No.5 Miguel Angel Rodriguez, who kept alive his hopes of reaching the semi-finals of a PSA World Series for the second time with a comfortable 3-0 win over Karim Abdel Gawad.

“It’s been a long tough season for all the players but I need to push especially now I’m in my second world series quarter-final of the year and I’m going to give it my best tomorrow,” said Rodriguez.

Perry & Massaro Take Home Interest Into British Open Quarters

Former champion Laura Massaro and 13th seed Sarah-Jane Perry have ensured home interest in the women’s quarter-finals of the Allam British Open Squash Championships after four-game victories in today’s second round of the WSA World Series event at the Airco Arena in the English city of Hull.

Avenging a shock defeat by left-hander Donna Urquhart only seven days ago, world No.14 Perry beat the Australian qualifier 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 in 40 minutes.

It was in last week’s quarter-finals of the CourtCare Open in Lancashire that favourite Perry made a surprise exit courtesy of Urquhart, the former world No.13 making a return to competitive action after foot surgery last year.

On the all-glass court in Hull, Birmingham-born Perry notched up the first two games comfortably before Urquhart surged back in the third game and forced the England international to find an extra gear.

“I thought I played pretty well,” said the Kenilworth-based British National champion who will play her first British Open quarter-final on her 25th birthday. “It got a little bit edgy in the middle, a few errors but managed to rein it in. She kept me fighting so I was pretty pleased to win that last rally. I’m playing well, I hit the ball well. I love that court.

“I was seeded to get to this round today, so anything else is a bonus really, I’m really pleased to get through to tomorrow, and we’ll see firstly who I’m playing and then just go out there tomorrow, give it my best shot. It’s my birthday so I’ve got to enjoy myself.”

In the first match of the evening session, third seed Laura Massaro joined her England team-mate in the last eight after seeing off Egyptian prospect Nouran Gohar in four games. The 17-year-old from Cairo was making her second successive appearance in the championship – but 31-year-old Massaro’s experience ultimately proved to be the decisive factor as the 2013 champion powered her way through to the quarters after a solid 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-1 victory in 48 minutes.

“I think one of the strengths of my game is that I can play the big points well – I would always back myself to win those – and I’m glad I was able to show that tonight,” said the Lancashire lass from Preston who two years ago became the first English winner of the women’s title since 1991.

“But Nouran is definitely a talent for the future,” added Massaro, the world No.4.

“Becoming the first English winner of the title for 22 years two years ago was very special for me. And the crowd almost carried me over the finishing line in last year’s final!”

Perry will now face top seed Nicol David for a place in the semi-finals. The defending champion from Malaysia took one step closer to a sixth title in 11 years when she beat England’s Emma Beddoes 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5.

Massaro’s opponent will be 10th seed Joelle King, the former world No.4 from New Zealand who is playing her first Tour event since rupturing her Achilles last August. The 26-year-old has been in sparkling form in Hull – securing her second successive straight games victory with a 28-minute 11-5, 11-7, 11-2 victory over England wild card Victoria Lust.

Results – Men’ Second Round (Bottom Half)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-4, 11-2, 11-4 (28m)
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt [Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (46m)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 10-12, 11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7 (65m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [Q] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-3, 11-1, 11-7 (34m)

Women’s Second Round (Top Half):
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [14] Emma Beddoes (ENG) 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 (53m)
[13] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [Q] Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 (40m)
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [16] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-1 (48m)
[10] Joelle King (NZL) bt [WC] Victoria Lust (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 11-2 (28m)

Quarter-finals
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v [3] Nick Matthew (ENG)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [5] Tarek Momen (EGY)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)

[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [13] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [10] Joelle King (NZL)
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [6] Camille Serme (FRA)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [Q] Delia Arnold (MAS)