[7] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 3-0: 11-3, 12-10, 3-0 retired (26m)
New Zealand’s Paul Coll breezed into the last eight at the 2018 Qatar Classic for the first time in his career following the withdrawal of his third round opponent Borja Golan of Spain.
Coll had been in complete control of their clash, taking a two game lead against little resistance, but injury forced Golan to concede the match in the early stages of the third game, gifting Coll safe passage through to the quarter-finals to face Germany’s Simon Rösner.
“In the first game I was feeling really good and fining my range,” said Coll. “I could feel from the start he wasn’t quite there.
“It was a weird one mentally. I’d rather had a real hard match and he came out injury free, it’s a shame to come through that way but obviously I’m also happy to into the quarters. I can chill out a bit today now and hopefully be fresh for tomorrow.”
Rösner Tested By Richards But Comes Through
Result – 2018 Qatar Classic Squash Championship: Second Round
[4] Simon Rösner (GER) bt Tom Richards (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7 (45m)
Germany’s Simon Rösner, the World No.5, saw off the threat of England’s Tom Richards to book his place in the quarter-finals of the 2018 Qatar Classic – the PSA World Tour Platinum event taking place in Doha.
Rösner, who reached the semi-final stage here twelve months ago in what was a breakthrough result for him, was at time sluggish on court, but managed to find enough in his locker to prevail 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7 and set up a last eight encounter with Paul Coll of New Zealand.
“Tom and I know each other well, we have played many matches against each other over the years and he played well today so I am pleased to come through,” said Rösner.
“It was good to have a few days at home last week, seeing familiar faces and getting some good training and preparation in. I know the next round will all be very tough. Against Paul you have to fight for every point. I will have to be totally focused and leave everything I have on court.”
Elias Cruises Past Hesham
Result – 2018 Qatar Classic Squash Championship: Third Round
[8] Diego Elias (PER) bt Mazen Hesham (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (36m)
Peruvian former World Junior Champion Diego Elias, the Lima-based World No.13, sailed into the quarter-finals of the 2018 Qatar Classic squash tournament with a straight-games demolition of Egypt’s Mazen Hesham.
Elias, a quarter-finalist here last year, endured an injury-ravaged start to 2018 but has begun to find his form again in recent months and showed signs of returning to his best as he swept aside Hesham – one of the most gifted players on the PSA World Tour – with ease, prevailing 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 in just 36-minutes.
“The key today was the warm up – I had to be ready for him from the start because he’s the kind of player who can send you five directions in one rally,” said Elias, who will play World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy in the next round.
“Last season, I got injured and lost in the first round of nearly every tournament. But now, I’m feeling fine and it is always good to play the World No.1 and challenge yourself so I’ll be ready for it.”
ElShorbagy Sees Off Waller
Result – 2018 Qatar Classic Squash Championship: Third Round
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (31m)
World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy’s march towards the retention of the PSA World Tour Platinum Qatar Classic title continued unabated today as he dispatched England’s Adrian Waller in straight-games to cruise into the quarter-finals.
Waller had ruthlessly dispatched former World No.3 Omar Mosaad in the previous round for the loss of just seven points in total, but he was unable to deal with the pace and power of ElShorbagy as the Egyptian, based in Bristol, England, showed why he’s the favourite to triumph again in Doha this week.
“The way he played against Mosaad was unbelievable – you don’t beat Mosaad like that if you aren’t a great player and he showed that he is a great player with the way he played this week,” said ElShorbagy.
“He put me under a lot of pressure throughout the whole match but the most important thing is that you don’t let it get to you. I feel like I had good preparation for this event – I feel good, physically strong and mentally fresh.”
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