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MARIGOLD Singapore Open 2022 |
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MARIGOLD Singapore Open 2022
Men's Draw
15 - 20 Nov
OCBC Arena, Singapore, $110k |
ROUND TWO
16-17 Nov |
QUARTERS
17-18 Nov |
SEMIS
19 Nov |
FINAL
20 Nov |
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[1] Paul Coll (NZL)
9-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 (58m)
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) |
Eain Yow Ng
11-9, 11-3, 8-11, 11-8 (65m)
Joel Makin |
Joel Makin
11-8, 10-12, 11-2, 11-6 (73m)
Mohamed ElShorbagy |
Mohamed ElShorbagy
11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (46m)
Diego Elias |
[6] Joel Makin (WAL)
11-2, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7 (51m)
[9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI) |
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY)
11-8, 11-5, 4-11, 7-11, 11-6 (68m)
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) |
Tarek Momen
12-10, 11-6, 11-9 (41m)
Mohamed ElShorbagy |
[4] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG)
11-2, 11-6, 11-7 (31m)
[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) |
[3] Diego Elias (PER)
11-8, 11-6, 11-9 (39m
Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) |
Diego Elias
11-9, 11-2, 11-9 (37m)
Mazen Hesham |
Diego Elias
11-9, 5-0 retired (37m)
Mostafa Asal |
[7] Mazen Hesham (EGY)
11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2 (58m)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) |
[8] Victor Crouin (FRA)
11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)
[9/16] Grégoire Marche (FRA) |
Victor Crouin
11-4, 11-4, 11-4 (39m)
Mostafa Asal |
[9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG)
11-5, 11-3, 11-9 (37m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) |
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt [9/16] Saurav Ghosal (IND) 12-14, 11-4, 9-11,
14-12, 11-1 (90m)
[9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 9-11, 11-8, 8-11,
11-7, 11-4 (64m)
[6] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) bye
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) bt Sébastien Bonmalais (FRA) 11-8, 11-4,
11-6 (35m)
[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [WC] Samuel Kang (SGP) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9
(31m)
[4] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bye
Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) bt [9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 11-9, 11-9,
11-4 (38m)
Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT) bt [9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) w/o
[7] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bye
[8] Victor Crouin (FRA) bye
[9/16] Grégoire Marche (FRA) bt Ivan Yuen (MAS) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (35m)
[9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt Ramit Tandon (IND) 11-6, 11-9, 9-11,
8-11, 11-9 (65m)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye |
|
MARIGOLD Singapore Open 2022
Women's Draw
15 - 20 Nov
OCBC Arena, Singapore, $110k |
ROUND TWO
16-17 Nov |
QUARTERS
17-18 Nov |
SEMIS
19 Nov |
FINAL
20 Nov |
|
[1] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
11-3, 12-10, 11-7 (24m)
[9/16] Nadine Shahin (EGY) |
Amanda Sobhy
7-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 12-10 (65m)
Nele Gilis |
Amanda Sobhy
9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 (47m)
Nour El Tayeb |
Nour El Tayeb
11-6,12-10, 11-4 (41m)
Joelle King |
[9/16] Nele Gilis (BEL)
6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 (52m)
[6] Olivia Fiechter (USA) |
[5] Rowan Elaraby (EGY)
12-14, 11-9, 11-5, 11-3 (39m)
Rachel Arnold (MAS) |
Rowan Elaraby
12-10, 11-4, 11-4 (29m)
Nour El Tayeb |
[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
11-6, 16-14, 11-4 (28m)
Aifa Azman (MAS) |
[4] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 (42m)
[9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL) |
Sarah-Jane Perry
11-9, 11-8, 11-6 (32m)
Sabrina Sobhy |
Sabrina Sobhy
12-10, 7-11, 11-8,
5-11, 11-5 (58m)
Joelle King |
[7] Georgina Kennedy (ENG)
11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (24m)
[9/16] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) |
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL)
11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (34m)
[9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) |
Tinne Gilis
11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (29m)
Joelle King |
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN)
11-5, 11-5, 11-2 (26m)
[2] Joelle King (NZL) |
[1] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bye
[9/16] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bt Low Wee Wern (MAS) 10-12, 11-8, 13-11,
11-7 (43m)
[9/16] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 9-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-4
(34m)
[6] Olivia Fiechter (USA) bye
[5] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bye
Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt [9/16] Tesni Evans (WAL) 9-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-8
(47m)
Aifa Azman (MAS) bt [9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA) 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 13-15,
11-2 (56m)
[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bye
[4] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bye
[9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL) bt Leia Lee Zi Fang (SGP) 11-1, 11-1, 11-2
(17m)
[9/16] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt Mélissa Alves (FRA) 12-10, 12-10, 11-7
(43m)
[7] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) bye
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bye
[9/16] Salma Hany (EGY) bt Alexandra Fuller (RSA) 11-9, 12-10, 11-9
(33m)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) bt Au Yeong Wai Yhann (SGP) 11-6, 11-4,
11-2 (21m)
[2] Joelle King (NZL) bye |
King and ElShorbagy Claim MARIGOLD Singapore Squash
Open Titles
A week on from winning the New Zealand Open crowns, England’s Mohamed
ElShorbagy and New Zealand’s Joelle King have claimed the MARIGOLD
Singapore Squash Open titles, with both winning in straight games in
their respective finals at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy has captured his fourth PSA title of the
season after he defeated Peru’s Diego Elias to win the men’s title,
putting in yet another sublime performance to win the PSA World Tour
Gold crown in straight games on Sunday evening.
The last four best-of-five matches had gone the way of Elias, including
the final of the Necker Mauritius Open back in June. However, ElShorbagy
continued the incredible form which has already seen him win the Qatar
Classic, Oracle NetSuite Open and New Zealand Open this season to claim
an 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 victory in 45 minutes.
‘The Beast’ overpowered and outmanoeuvred Elias, playing at an
incredible pace which left the Peruvian struggling to keep up. The win
marks ElShorbagy’s 48th PSA title, whilst he has won back-to-back titles
for the first time since 2020.
Including his wins at the Carrus Nations Cup for England, ElShorbagy is
now on a run of twelve matches unbeaten, winning three titles in that
time, including his first victory for his new nation.
“I’m feeling very happy to have this tournament for the first time in so
many years and to put my name on that prestigious trophy which has the
names of a lot of greats from the past, it’s such an honour for me,”
said ElShorbagy.
“I’m very happy to win this title, I’m very happy to back it up after
last week in New Zealand, and I’m very happy that this is my fourth
title this season out of my first six events. I remember last season
there were many people that were saying that I could not play four tough
matches in a row, but here I am winning my fourth tournament of the
season. I’m far from done.
“Lots of people thought that they understood me, they knew who I am,
that they knew ‘The Beast’. They don’t know who I am and what I can do
when I’m angry. I’m really happy to come back and win events again and
I’m very happy to play in front of such a great crowd.
“He [Elias] beat me at the U.S. Open last month, he killed me 3-0
actually. He controlled the whole match, so I think it was my turn to
learn something. Next time he will probably learn something from today,
and that’s how you improve as rivals.
“Before this match, I had to speak to my team, to Greg [Gaultier] and my
brother as well. He just played Diego a couple of weeks ago, so I made a
point of calling him last night to understand what he did against him in
Switzerland. Luckily, I have a brother [Marwan ElShorbagy] who is
playing at the top of the rankings and we can think together sometimes
against opponents.
“He’s taught me so much about what I could do today. I think I did
everything that he told me last night, and he’s going to be a proud
brother, definitely.”
New Zealand’s Joelle King also made it back-to-back wins, as she put in
an impressive performance, nullifying World No.6 Nour El Tayeb’s
attacking skills to record an 11-6, 12-10, 11-4 victory in 40 minutes.
The Kiwi came through a five-game thriller against unseeded American
Sabrina Sobhy in the semi-finals, but she showed no signs of fatigue in
the early stages, finding her rhythm quickly on the glass court at the
OCBC Arena. El Tayeb struggled early, with her attempts at finding the
back corners seeing the ball spray out into the middle, giving King
multiple opportunities to put the ball away.
King won the first game 11-6, but El Tayeb showed he qualities in the
second. She went 10-8 and had a chance to level the contest, but King
produced four perfect rallies, showing supreme composure and confidence,
to come back and win the game 12-10. That broke El Tayeb’s resistance,
with the Kiwi storming to victory, capturing her 16th PSA title, and her
biggest victory since the 2018 Hong Kong Open.
“First of all, we have to talk about Nour,” said King.
“She’s had a baby and she’s been terrorising all of the draws. She’s
been unseeded and beating player after player. It was such a tough
match, I know it was 3-0, but the intensity was high and there was so
much skill and athleticism on display here.
“That’s what you get when you play Nour. Congratulations to her on a
great tournament, and I’m very pleased to win today. I was game ball
down [in the second game] and I thought that I just needed to fight. I
tried to get a bit of rhythm for the next game and get in front and
volley, and that seemed to work. That was the turning point, I think,
and I came out strong in the third and just tried to protect the lead,
so I’m very happy with this win today.
“It’s the first time we’ve brought world-class squash to Singapore for a
long time, and I hope to see all the fans again here next year.”
The PSA World Tour continues in just a couple of days time, as the
Malaysian Open Squash Championships begin in Kuala Lumpur. The PSA World
Tour Bronze event will take place from November 22-26. |
Semi Finals
King Survives Sobhy Test As MARIGOLD Singapore Squash
Open Finals Set
New Zealand’s World No.5 Joelle King is into a second PSA World Tour
final in as many weeks, as she came through a tough five-game battle
with World No.18 Sabrina Sobhy to make it into the MARIGOLD Singapore
Squash Open final at the OCBC Arena.
The Kiwi, who claimed the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open title on
Sunday in Tauranga, was yet to drop a game this week in Singapore prior
to the semi-finals. Neither had her opponent, with the American causing
an upset on day for to overcome English No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry.
It was King who broke her opponent’s streak first as she edged past
Sobhy 12-10, despite the American saving three game balls in the opening
game. Sobhy’s speed around the court and excellent shot selection paid
dividends in the second as she was able to shrug off a fightback from
King, with the World No.5 saving four game balls.
King took the lead once again after she won the third game 11-8, but
Sobhy produced another excellent display in the fourth to force a
decider after clinching an 11-5 win. In the end though, the experience
of King proved to be too much for the unseeded American as the
34-year-old won 11-5 to progress to Sunday’s final.
“I’m relieved, definitely! I was feeling a little bit flat throughout
that match, it was coming in waves and she was playing so well,” said
King.
“Her movement, her sharpness, I was just trying to find a way to keep
myself in the match. I knew in the fifth it was anyone’s game and
whoever was going to play the start of it well was really important,
which was what I tried to do.
“When you’ve been on tour for 16 years, you’ve got quite a lot of
experience and that was probably the difference today. I tried to use
that, start well, play each point as it came and I got a good start, so
it was about protecting that.”
King will face World No.6 Nour El Tayeb in the final of the MARIGOLD
Singapore Squash Open on Sunday afternoon, after the Egyptian overcame
World No.4 Amanda Sobhy in a gripping four-game clash.
Despite an hour-long quarter final on Friday, the American didn’t show
any signs of tiredness in the early exchanges. She finished off loose
balls well in the opening game, and despite El Tayeb saving a couple of
game balls, Sobhy took the early lead.
For the midpoint of the second game, the Egyptian, who has been as high
as World No.3, was able to turn things around. She was able to get in
front in each of the next three games, and she kept those leads to book
her spot in the final on Sunday afternoon.
“It feels great! It is a very nice win, a very big win for me today, to
back up yesterday and to come today. Amanda is playing well and at the
beginning I thought she was going to be tired, so I went short a bit too
soon, thinking she would be tired from yesterday’s match but she
wasn’t,” El Tayeb admitted.
“You can keep praising the game, it is nice to hear that! Hopefully
tomorrow’s opponent heard it as well! It is exciting to be able to play
this way again. I am very happy, grateful, to be able to play at this
level, to make it to the final of a Gold event in Singapore. It is all
very exciting! One more match tomorrow, it is very exciting for me!”
The men’s final will see England’s World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy and
Peru’s World No.5 Diego Elias do battle in Singapore, in a repeat of the
Necker Mauritius Open final from five months ago.
ElShorbagy downed Welshman Joel Makin in a tense four-game battle,
regrouping after losing the second game from a winning position. He was
10-4 up, but saw the World No.11 win eight straight points to clinch the
game. From there, ‘the Beast’ stepped his game up, and was too much in
the end for Makin. He will now feature in his fourth final from six
events this season.
He will take on the ‘Peruvian Puma’ on Sunday afternoon at the OCBC
Arena, after Elias defeated Egypt’s Mostafa Asal in a curtailed contest.
A 34-minute first game went the way of the World No.5. An earlier break
in play, which saw Asal step off court with an injury, would lead to the
end of the match, as the Egyptian shook hands with Elias at 5-0 down in
the second game.
All of the action from the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open will be
streamed live on SQUASHTV.
Stay up to date with anything related to the event by following PSA
Events on Twitter or Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok.
|
Quarter Finals
Sobhy Sisters Reach Singapore Squash Open Semi-Finals
In Contrasting Fashion
Amanda Sobhy
USA’s World No.4 Amanda Sobhy and World No.18 Sabrina Sobhy have both
made it through to the semi-finals of the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash
Open, after securing very different victories on the fourth day of the
PSA World Tour Gold level tournament at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
Older sister Amanda, the top seed for the women’s competition, took on
Belgium’s Nele Gilis, and the American held a 3-1 advantage over Gilis
in their previous four meetings. She also won their only meeting this
year, which came at the CIB PSA World Championships Cairo in May.
It was the Belgian who started strongly, and after seeing Sobhy fight
back in the middle of the opening game, she won four straight points
from 6-6 onwards to set up a first game win. The World No.14 then took
the lead again after the third game, responding to Sobhy’s win in the
second.
Gilis then almost managed to seal the deal at the end of the fourth. She
saved two game balls, but a stroke on the last of those gave the
American the 11-9 win she needed to extend the contest into a decider.
After a quick start from Sobhy in the fifth game, Gilis brought it level
to 8-8, making it a three-point shoot-out. It was the Belgian who had
the first match ball, but the World No.4 was able to save it at 10-9,
before winning the next two points to claim a 12-10 victory in the
fifth, to book her spot in the last four, where she will now face
Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb.
“I am a little tired! Very relieved, but definitely tired! She got a lot
of balls back, and definitely caught me off guard. I am definitely happy
to win that last point at the end!” Sobhy said.
“I had to try a little bit harder, a bit more effort, kick myself up a
gear. It was helpful not to have to do it alone, and to have someone in
my corner to tell me those things. So thank you Diego [Elias]. She gets
a lot of balls back, so it’s having to win the rally a few times to
actually win the rally. It was a really good match and I am just pleased
that I was the winner in the end.”
Amanda will be joined in the semi-finals by younger sister Sabrina,
after the World No.18 overcame English No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry in straight
games on Friday evening at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
The American’s exceptional movement was on full show, getting back
several shots that may well have been winners against other opponents.
The World No.18's retrieval abilities kept her in the big points, and
she was able to wrap up the victory in straight games, making it two
Sobhys in the last four in Singapore.
Sabrina Sobhy
“It feels awesome. I couldn’t have asked for a better week so far in
Singapore, it’s been really chilled and relaxing, the hospitality has
been fantastic and it adds a level of ease that all the players look
for. I feel like I've had that this week and that has made me a little
more relaxed on court and found some more enjoyment in there and I've
been having a great time,” Sobhy said.
“I appreciate the crowd and the liveliness that the atmosphere has. SJ
[Perry] is one of those players who will make you run to every corner
frantically, which I definitely felt in many rallies for nearly the
entire game but somehow, I managed to sneak it out in the end. Each
rally was physically and definitely difficult which is why she’s one of
the best squash players.”
The men’s quarter finals all went to seeding on the fourth day of the
MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open. England’s Mohamed ElShorbagy got the
better of Egypt’s Tarek Momen in a battle of two former World Champions,
and he will now take on Welsh No.1 Joel Makin in the last four. The
other semi-final will see Peru’s Diego Elias and Egypt’s Mostafa Asal do
battle on Saturday.
All of the action from the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open will be
streamed live on
SQUASHTV.
Stay up to date with anything related to the event by following
PSA Events on Twitter or Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok.
|
Round 2 Lower Half
Sobhy Joins Older Sister Amanda In Quarter Finals
Sabrina Sobhy (fore) in action against Georgina
Kennedy
USA’s World No.18 Sabrina Sobhy made sure there would be two American in
the quarter finals of the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open, as she
defeated England’s World No.9 Georgina Kennedy in straight games to join
older sister Amanda in the last eight at the OCBC Arena in Singapore.
The pair had met twice already on Tour this year, with Sobhy still
awaiting her first victory over the Englishwoman. However, she changed
that in Singapore, with a confident performance against the struggling
Kennedy.
The opening game was high quality with some long and intense rallies,
and in the end, it was the American that came out on top to take the
lead in the contest thanks to her solid and consistent length to the
back of the court.
With the No.7 seed evidently struggling, Sobhy powered on and continued
to move the ball into space to test the movement of Kennedy. The end
came quickly for the Englishwoman as the World No.18 moved through the
gears to win both second and third games 11-4 to upset the seedings and
reach the last eight.
“Gina is one of my best friends on tour, she has been so inspiring, we
played in college together and I’ve seen her rise up throughout the
rankings beating top players and knowing that she has been my teammate
and friend for so many years, she’s a huge inspiration,” said Sobhy.
“I knew it would be a tough one, obviously Gina is hurting physically,
and I only wish her the best to get back on tour, the tour needs her.
She’s such a strong presence and without her, it feels a little empty so
this was not a great feeling of a win. Obviously, I’m pleased to win but
you never want to win when someone is injured so I feel for her.
“I feel good. I didn’t anticipate this. I was due to fly out tomorrow so
I’ll have to change this. I’ve been away for over a month now and I’ve
been battling this feeling of wanting to go home but also wanting to
compete and play my best squash, so I guess I’m sticking around for at
least another day.”
After beating the English No.2, Sobhy will now take on the No.1, in
Sarah-Jane Perry, after the World No.8 overcame the challenge of fellow
Brit Emily Whitlock in a tight four-game battle.
Sarah-Jane Perry
Wales No.2 Whitlock started in great style and took the game to Perry
from the very start of the match. Loose balls from the Englishwoman were
being picked off with fantastic winners from Whitlock and the lower
ranked player, deservingly, took the first game 11-8.
Perry started to settle in the second game, but the short, sharp rallies
remained. The Englishwoman managed to hang on well in the second game
despite more Whitlock pressure and took the game 11-9. As the score
reached 5-5 in the third game, errors started to come from the racket of
the Welshwoman. Perry recognised this and capitalised fully to take the
next two games 11-7 and 11-8 to move into the quarter finals.
“Just pleased to get through that match. Emily is always a tough
opponent. Every opponent at this level Is really tough. Every win is a
good day,” she said.
“I just tried to get settled, Emily settled quicker than I did and found
her marks on the court, I was leaving the ball around the middle a lot
more than I wanted and she’s lethal when the ball is there so I had to
improve.”
The other two women to make it through on day three were New Zealand’s
Joelle King and Belgian No.1 Tinne Gilis. The pair both won in three and
will now meet in the quarters. Meanwhile, it was a day of wins for the
seeds in the men’s event. Egypt’s Mostafa Asal and Mazen Hesham join
Peru’s Diego Elias and Frenchman Victor Crouin in making the last eight.
All of the action from the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open will be
streamed live on
SQUASHTV.
Stay up to date with anything related to the event by following
PSA Events on Twitter or Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok.
|
Round 2 Top Half
Malaysia’s Ng Downs Top Seed Coll To Reach Singapore Open
Quarter Finals
Malaysia’s World No.24 Eain Yow Ng scored a major upset on the second
day of the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open, as he came from two games
down to defeat New Zealand’s World No.2 Paul Coll to reach the quarter
finals of the PSA World Tour Gold level competition at the OCBC Arena.
The Malaysian might have been forgiven for being fatigued after a
90-minute battle with Indian No.1 Saurav Ghosal on the opening day of
the competition, but he showed no signs of that, despite falling two
games behind.
The Kiwi, who featured in the final of the Robertson Lodges New Zealand
Open just three days earlier, won both of the first two games by an 11-9
scoreline, moving into the lead in the match, and looking like he would
take a straight games victory. However, the Malaysian fought back. He
went 5-0 up in the third, but Coll brought it back to 8-8. Ng was able
to regroup to win three of the last four points, winning it 11-8.
The World No.24 continued his fight back with a rapid start in the
fourth game where, despite Coll saving a couple of game balls, he won it
comfortably 11-5 to set up a tense deciding game. Everything seemed to
work in the fifth for Ng, and with Coll showing signs of fatigue, the
Malaysian was able to secure his spot in the quarter finals, and take a
big upset victory. He will now face Welsh No.1 Joel Makin in the last
eight.
“To be honest.. I don’t even know [how I’m feeling]. I am still
processing it. It means a lot this time round because I have been
knocking on the door for quite a long time now,” Ng admitted.
“It has felt like forever since I got a win against a top ten player,
and I have gotten close a few times. To pull through today, to the
finish line, I am really proud of myself! I just want to say thanks to
Andrew [Cross, Malaysian National Coach] who is here helping, my parents
supporting and to the crowd for their support, it’s been amazing!
“Once I went 2-0 down, I stopped thinking. In the first two games, I was
thinking a bit too much, trying to play a little bit too perfect. From
the third game onwards, I just believed in myself and tried to play my
own game, playing with my own instincts. I kept running, and I hit a lot
of winners today compared to what I normally do. That was encouraging,
but it was still a big mental battle. I was 5-0 up in the third and he
came back strong. I really had to dig deep to get that third game and it
really helped me in the fourth and the fifth.”
The other surprise result on day two of the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash
Open saw Belgium’s World No.14 Nele Gilis come from behind to defeat US
No.2, and World No.11, Olivia Fiechter.
The Belgian fell behind after the first game, as Fiechter came firing
out of the blocks. A change of plan going into the second game worked
wonders for Gilis, though, who came back to take the second, before then
winning both the third and fourth comfortably, with 11-4 scorelines. The
Belgian will now play US No.1 Amanda Sobhy in the quarter finals on
Friday,
World No.14 Nele Gilis
“I am very happy with my performance today. A bit of a slow start but
she came out firing, so after the first, I knew I had to change
something in my gameplan,” Gilis said.
“I am very happy that I mentally stuck to that, and I kept being
patient. I am very proud of that performance. She is such a fighter! Her
strengths are on the volley and with anything in the middle, she is
lethal. Honestly, I tried to focus on taking those weapons away from
there, and I am glad I managed to do that!”
Elsewhere, Egypt’s World No.7 Tarek Momen had to survive a comeback from
Colombia’s Miguel Rodriguez, eventually winning after 68 minutes in a
fifth game. He will now take on England’s Mohamed ElShorbagy on Friday
evening. Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby and Nour El Tayeb will also do battle
once again in the quarter finals.
All of the action from the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open will be
streamed live on
SQUASHTV.
Stay up to date with anything related to the event by following
PSA Events on Twitter or Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok.
|
Round 1
Malaysia’s Ng and Azman Win Five-Gamers On Opening Day
Eain Yow Ng (right)
Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng and Aifa Azman both got the better of
higher-ranked opposition on the opening day of the MARIGOLD Singapore
Squash Open, with both winning in five games to move through to the
second round of the PSA World Tour Gold level competition at the OCBC
Arena in Singapore.
The Malaysian took on World No.16 Saurav Ghosal in the first round, and
it was an incredible match, lasting an hour and a half. Both men saved
game balls in the opening game, but it was eventually the Indian No.1
that took it 14-12 to hold the advantage.
The second was much more straightforward for Ng, as he won six straight
points at the back end of it to level the match. However, Ghosal fought
back once more, and took the lead in the match again thanks to some
great attacking squash into the front of the court in the third.
The Malaysian requested a new ball for the start of the fourth game, and
it eventually paid off, but he had to save two match balls. He was 10-8
down, but fought back to come through and take the fourth 14-12, before
then dropping just a single point in the fifth and final game. Ng will
now take on World No.2 Paul Coll on Wednesday.
“I was a little bit disappointed with myself in the first game, I was in
a position to win it. We played a couple of weeks ago at the Asian Team
Championships, and something similar happened in the first game,” the
Malaysian explained.
“In the third and fourth games, I lost a little bit of focus, and at
match ball down, I knew I had to keep fighting, I had nothing to lose
and to be honest, I am not really sure what happened at the end of the
fourth. I just kept fighting and just kept running. I was really edgy
when he hit a high volley drop and I just tinned it. Luckily, I was
slightly stronger physically in the fifth game.
“I just want to say that playing in Singapore is like playing back home.
It has been a lot time since I have played back home. The Singaporean
crowd has been great, and my parents are here as well, which is also
great! My dad always watches every match overseas so it’s amazing to
have him here. The crowd has been great, that definitely helped today! I
am looking forward to putting on a good show against Paul [Coll]
tomorrow!”
Aifa Azman
Compatriot Aifa Azman, currently the World No.24, took on the USA’s
Olivia Clyne, who sits four places above her in the World Rankings.
After a quick start from the young Malaysian, the first game was tight,
with Clyne fighting back. However, Azman won the last three points to
secure an 11-8 win, and to move into the lead in the contest. The second
game followed a similar pattern, but this time, it was Clyne who snuck
through, winning it 11-9 to level the contest.
The Malaysian came out fighting again in the third, and she then went
match ball up in the fourth game as well. The American saved three match
balls, and also spurned a couple of game balls herself, before taking a
tie-break win 15-13. However, Azman played some incredible stuff in the
last game, winning the first ten point to almost guarantee the win.
Clyne saved two more match balls, but the World No.24 won it 11-2 to set
up a clash with World No.6 Nour El Tayeb.
“I am very excited to win this match! I didn’t do well in the U.S. Open.
I am very happy to win against Olivia, it’s always a tough match!” Azman
said.
“I am very happy to have come back in the fifth 11-2. I think my tactic
are getting much better! This is amazing, I have never been to Singapore
before, only transited in the airport. I am very happy to play here!
“I played her [Nour El Tayeb] in the World Championships, and she is a
top player. I am looking forward to play against her, but this time with
a better gameplan so I can give more of a fight against her than I did
last time!”
Elsewhere, Swiss No.1 Nicolas Mueller and England’s Patrick Rooney also
had to go the distance in their opening round encounters. The World
No.14 got the better of the USA’s Shahjahan Khan, while the Englishman
defeated India’s Ramit Tandon.
All three Singaporeans in action on the first day of the tournament
bowed out of the competition. Samuel Kang lost out to German No.1
Raphael Kandra in the last match of the day, while Leia Lee Zi Fang and
Au Yeong Wai Yhann were defeated by Wales’ Emily Whitlock and Canada’s
Hollie Naughton.
All of the action from the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open will be
streamed live on
SQUASHTV.
Stay up to date with anything related to the event by following
PSA Events on Twitter or Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok.
|
Preview
Ali Farag Withdraws From Upcoming MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open
World No.1 and World Champion Ali Farag has unfortunately been forced to
withdraw from the upcoming MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open Gold event,
set to start in just five days time.
Farag has not recovered from the knee injury that he picked up at the
U.S Open last month, which forced him out of the final against Diego
Elias after just 2 points.
Compatriot and World No.3 Mostafa Asal now becomes the No.2 seed for the
event and after receiving a bye in round one will face either compatriot
Omar Mosaad or England’s Patrick Rooney in round two.
QTerminals Qatar Classic and Oracle NetSuite Open Champion Mohamed
ElShorbagy has moved into a top-four seeded position and will await
either German No.1 Raphael Kandra or event wildcard Samuel Kang in the
second round.
France’s Victor Crouin will look to continue his excellent start to the
season as he moves into the top eight and after his round one bye will
play either compatriot Gregoire Marche or Egypt’s Mohamed ElSherbini for
a place in the quarter finals.
French No.3 Baptiste Masotti is now a 9/16 seed and plays dangerous
Egyptian Moustafa El Sirty in round one, whilst fellow Frenchman
Sebastien Bonmalais takes the available spot in the draw and will play
former British Open Champion Miguel Rodriguez for a spot in round two.
Updated men's draw
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) bye
[9/16] Saurav Ghosal (IND) v Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
[9/16] Nicolas Müller (SUI) v Shahjahan Khan (USA)
[6] Joel Makin (WAL) bye
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) bye
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) v Sébastien Bonmalais (FRA)
[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) v [WC] Samuel Kang (SGP)
[4] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) bye
[3] Diego Elias (PER) bye
[9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v Moustafa El Sirty (EGY)
[9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) v Abdulla Al-Tamimi (QAT)
[7] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bye
[8] Victor Crouin (FRA) bye
[9/16] Grégoire Marche (FRA) v Qualifier
[9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG) v Ramit Tandon (IND)
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bye |
Coll
and Sobhy Lead MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open Draws
The draws for the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open have been released.
World No.1 Paul Coll and Oracle NetSuite Open winner Amanda Sobhy will
be the top seeds for the PSA World Tour Gold level competition.
The tournament, which will take place from November 15-20 at the OCBC
Arena in Singapore, will be the biggest ever squash event to be hosted
in the Asian nation, with 15 top 10 players across the men’s and women’s
events taking part.
After taking the World No.1 spot for a second time on Monday, October 3,
Coll will be the top seed for the men’s draw at the MARIGOLD Singapore
Squash Open. After a first round bye, he will face either Malaysia’s
Eain Yow Ng or Indian No.1 Saurav Ghosal in the second round before a
potential meeting with Welshman Joel Makin in the last eight.
The Kiwi could then face 2019 World Champion Tarek Momen or World No.3
Mostafa Asal in the semi-finals, before yet another meeting with World
No.2 Ali Farag in the final, with the pair seeded to go all the way to
the finale of the competition.
Farag could come up against old foe Mohamed ElShorbagy, who has already
claimed the QTerminals Qatar Classic and Oracle NetSuite Open titles
this season, in the quarter finals. A potential meeting with Peru’s
Diego Elias, the World No.4, awaits in the semis for the former World
No.1.
US No.1 and World No.4 Amanda Sobhy will lead the way in the women’s
draw in Singapore, and she will face either Scotland’s Lisa Aitken or
Egypt’s Nadine Shahin in the second round. The three-time Oracle
NetSuite Open champion could then face compatriot Olivia Fiechter in the
quarter finals.
Amanda Sobhy
Sobhy could then come up against World No.6 Nour El Tayeb or World No.8
Rowan Elaraby in the semi-finals, before being seeded to meet New
Zealand’s Joelle King in the final.
King will be the No.2 seed for the competition, and could face Belgium’s
Tinne Gilis in the quarter finals, before a meeting with either or
England’s top two, as Sarah-Jane Perry and Georgina Kennedy are seeded
to meet in the last eight.
The MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open will feature two wildcards, both of
which will be playing on home soil. Au Yeong Wai Yhann will take on
Hollie Naughton in the women’s event, while Samuel Kang will do battle
with German No.1 Raphael Kandra in the men’s draw.
All of the action from the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open will be
streamed live on
SQUASHTV.
Stay up to date with anything related to the event by following
PSA Events on Twitter or Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok.
Men’s First Round Draw: MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open
[1] Paul Coll (NZL) – [Bye]
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) v [9/16] Saurav Ghosal (IND)
[9/16] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) v Shahjahan Khan (USA)
[7] Joel Makin (WAL) – [Bye]
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) – [Bye]
Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v [9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL)
[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) v [WC] Samuel Kang (SGP)
[3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) – [Bye]
[4] Diego Elias (PER) – [Bye]
Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) v [9/16] Victor Crouin (FRA)
[9/16] Fares Dessouky (EGY) v Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)
[8] Mazen Hesham (EGY) – [Bye]
[5] Mohamed ElShorbagy (ENG) – [Bye]
Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) v [9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA)
[9/16] Patrick Rooney (ENG) v Omar Mosaad (EGY)
[2] Ali Farag (EGY) – [Bye]
Women’s First Round Draw: MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open
[1] Amanda Sobhy (USA) – [Bye]
Lisa Aitken (SCO) v [9/16] Nadine Shahin (EGY)
[9/16] Nele Gilis (BEL) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[6] Olivia Fiechter (USA) – [Bye]
[5] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) – [Bye]
Rachel Arnold (MAS) v [9/16] Tesni Evans (WAL)
[9/16] Olivia Clyne (USA) v Aifa Azman (MAS)
[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) – [Bye]
[4] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) – [Bye]
Sana Ibrahim (EGY) v [9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL)
[9/16] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) v Melissa Alves (FRA)
[7] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) – [Bye]
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) – [Bye]
Alexandra Fuller (RSA) v [9/16] Salma Hany (EGY)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v [WC] Au Yeong Wai Yhann (SGP)
[2] Joelle King (NZL) – [Bye]
For more information on the event, visit the tournament
website or follow PSA Events on Twitter or Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
and
SQUASHTV. |
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