Producing an electrifying game, Qatar's top squash player Abdullah al-Tamimi yesterday crushed France's Lucas Serme in straight games to reach the second round at the Men’s QTerminals Qatar Classic got underway on Sunday.Al-Tamimi, who was out of the game for five months before resuming competitive squash last month, yesterday won 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 in just 34 minutes on the Centre Court at Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex." I'm really happy to win my first match in this season finally and I'm really looking forward for tomorrow," Al-Tamimi said with a smile during an on-court interview after his win."It worked pretty good. I kept my focus up till 7 two and then I did one gimme shot. I think Rodney wasn't happy about it and I knew it straight away and I lost three points after it. So it just shows you one point can make a difference in each game and I'm trying to get better at these things and keep my focus and yeah," the 28-year-old added.Also yesterday, English World No.45 Charlie Lee produced a fine performance to stun French World No.25 Gregoire Marche in straight games to reach a maiden Platinum second round at the six-day championship.Also yesterday Malaysian World No.44 Sivasangari Subramaniam upset American World No.14 Olivia Clyne in round two of the women’s draw.In their first meeting on tour, 25-year-old Lee looked the more confident player from the beginning, hitting accurately as he opened up a 1-0 lead against an out of sorts Marche.The Frenchman threatened to spoil Lee’s party when he saved five game balls in the second game to reach a tie break from 10-5 down, but Lee was able to hang on and edged the second and third games by 12-10 scores in both to complete the upset.Lee will face England No.1 and defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy in the next round."(Marche) is a fantastic player and I’m super happy to reach round two of a Platinum for the first time, especially after not reaching the heights I hoped to in Paris last week," Lee said."It’s not always easy when someone has nothing to lose and they’re 10-5 down, you have to prepare in advance for a change of tactics, luckily I got away with it, but that won’t happen every time."Also yesterday, Hania El Hammamy came back from a game down to beat Egyptian compatriot Hana Ramadan, Egyptian top seed Nouran Gohar beat Wales’ Emily Whitlock and Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar beat Hong Kong’s Henry Leung.On the traditional courts, Malaysia’s Subramaniam put in a dominant performance to beat Clyne.The World No.44, who missed much of last season following a serious traffic accident, looked to be back to her best as she harried the American, refusing to give the World No.14 any respite as she took the match 11-7, 11-5, 11-8 in 24 minutes."I think I’m ready for this season. I’m excited to be back, playing close to my best I feel!" Subramaniam said after match.In another match yesterday, Scotland’s Rory Stewart fought back to upset Iker Pajares Bernabeu and 16-year-old Amina Orfi came back from two games down to beat fellow Egyptian Fayrouz Aboelkheir.END
September 10, 2023 | 10:13 PM