Rösner Defeats Willstrop on Thrilling Third Day of Qatar Classic

The third day of action at the 2016 Qatar Classic - the World Series tournament taking place at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha - saw German No.1 Simon Rösner put in an immaculate display to defeat former World No.1 James Willstrop.

Rösner, the current World No.13, was deadly from the outset and executed his game plan to perfection, with a powerful and accurate performance sending Willstrop into all four corners of the court, drawing the normally accurate Yorkshireman out of his comfort zone and into a number of errors to record a superb 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 victory.

"I think I played my best squash, my best squash of the season, at least," said Rösner.

"I kept him behind me most of the time and I was able to attack quite well at the front. I played attacking squash and I think that I can't play much better than that.

"It’s so tough to beat this guy, I think he's pretty much back to normal and playing the way he used to before he was injured. To beat him in this form is quite special for me, so I'm really glad."

Rösner will take on defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy for a place in the semi-finals after the World No.1 overcame a strong challenge from Hong Kong’s Leo Au.

A focused start from the man from Hong Kong saw him start the better of the two players, but ElShorbagy ramped up the pace to force Au into a number of errors towards the latter stages to take the lead.

Au fought back in the second to draw level, but the Egyptian soon rediscovered his rhythm to pull through with a 12-10, 11-13, 11-8, 11-8 triumph.

“I thought I was up and down again like the first round and I lost focus at times," said ElShorbagy.

"Mentally, I felt a bit tired in the first round, but today I felt fresh. When you're playing short, sharp rallies, you have to be mentally fresh to keep it up. If you're not, you're going to struggle big time in these kinds of conditions.

"Yesterday, I took the full day off, I didn't even touch my squash racket for even a minute, and I never normally do that during tournaments, but I had to. After a long two years, I had to take one day off and I felt that I deserved one."

World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad continued his title charge, but was forced all the way to five games after a dogged challenge from fellow Egyptian Zahed Mohamed to set up a quarter-final fixture with World No.7 Marwan ElShorbagy, with the 23-year-old defeating Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly.

Gawad twice saw a one-game lead wiped out by Mohamed, who dug in and hit a number of sumptuous winners against his in-form compatriot. But a fast start to the fifth game from Gawad saw the 25-year-old finally break Mohamed’s resistance, and he recorded a 13-11, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 victory to reach the last eight.

"Since my first tournament here in Qatar, I played really well and I always play well here," said Gawad.

"I was looking forward to this tournament especially, I've done well the last few tournaments, and I believe I can also do well here. Tomorrow is a new day, I will just come on court and focus as if it is the first match and I will try to grab the win.”

Frenchman Gregoire Marche has reached his first ever World Series quarter-final after coming through an intense five-game contest with World No.9 Tarek Momen.

It was one-way traffic in the beginning of the encounter, with Momen looking sharp as he went a game ahead for the loss of four points. Marche moved up through the gears to take the next two games, but a combination of strong retrieving from Momen and some errors from the racket of Marche saw the Egyptian level, before Marche took the fifth to close out a hard-fought triumph.

"It’s my first ever World Series quarter final, and I feel this is not the end," said Marche.


"I felt good on court today, and even if there were a few moments I felt a bit in the red, at the end, I had a lot left under the foot, and that’s a great feeling to have. I cannot describe the feeling you get when you beat somebody like Tarek, somebody I’ve always admired.”

Three-time World Champion Nick Matthew will face Marche for a place in the semi-finals after defeating tenacious Scotsman Alan Clyne, while Australian No.1 Cameron Pilley and World No.19 Daryl Selby will contest the other quarter-final fixture courtesy of respective wins over Mexico’s Cesar Salazar and qualifier Adrian Waller.

Results - Second Round: 2016 Qatar Classic
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Leo Au (HKG) 3-1: 12-10, 11-13, 11-8, 11-8 (56m)
[7] Simon Rösner (GER) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 (45m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [6] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-2: 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9 (76m)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-1: 11-5, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9 (55m)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 3-2: 13-11, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 (58m)
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 3-0: 15-13, 13-11, 11-7 (60m)
[8] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX)3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 (39m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 (48m)

Draw - Quarter-Final: To be played Wednesday November 16
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) v [4] Nick Matthew (ENG)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[8] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Daryl Selby (ENG)

Updates & more: Selby Sends Mosaad Crashing Out on Day Two of Qatar Classic

England’s Daryl Selby claimed one of his biggest wins in recent years after he came through a five-game battle with World No.4 Omar Mosaad on the second day of the 2016 Qatar Classic, World Series tournament held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

The World No.19 relinquished a one-game lead to go 2-1 down, but produced a spirited fightback to claim a huge 11-9, 5-11, 2-11, 11-9, 11-2 victory for the 34-year-old - his first win over Mosaad at the sixth attempt.

"It was tough as it always is, and it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but I’m delighted obviously to beat him for the first time," said Selby.

"It was a similar match to the ones we’ve played in the past, they always seem to be five-gamers and they’re always fairly physical. I expect that really because he’s such a big guy. He’s tough to play because he hits the ball so hard and so cleanly.

"Maybe I kept my head a little bit better in the fifth game and he looked a little bit despondent. He’s lacking a little bit of confidence at the moment, whereas I’ve been having some decent results."

World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad got his tournament off to a winning start as he led compatriots Marwan ElShorbagy and Zahed Mohamed through to the second round, where there will be a five-strong Egyptian contingent after World No.1 Mohamed, the older brother of Marwan, and World No.9 Tarek Momen claimed wins on the opening day of action.

Gawad, competing less than two weeks after he defeated compatriot Ramy Ashour in the PSA Men’s World Championship final in Cairo, went a game behind courtesy of some consistent play from Reda.

But the 25-year-old found his range and showcased his sublime attacking talents to full effect as he won the next three games in comfortable fashion, taking it 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 to ensure that he will take on Mohamed - who beat England’s Tom Richards - for a place in the quarter-finals.

"I was very, very tired after the World Championship,” said Gawad.

“I finished on the Friday and then I had to travel on Monday to Qatar. I only had a couple of sessions in Qatar, I didn't have enough time to do loads of fitness, I just tried to relax my body and tried to recover.”

World No.7 Marwan booked his place in round two after rising to a routine 3-0 win over Hong Kong’s World No.41 Tsz Fung Yip.

Yip, who claimed a notable win over World No.8 Miguel Angel Rodriguez in August’s Hong Kong Open, started brightly and went 3-0 ahead in the opening game before ElShorbagy took control, coming through 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 in 27 minutes – and he will face Australian No.2 Ryan Cuskelly in the next round.

“I was very happy, it was my first time playing Yip, he’s had a few good wins and I had to watch a few of his matches to study him,” said ElShorbagy.

“I had to be careful from the beginning and not give him any chances as he would have taken them. I’m very happy to win in less than half an hour. There are no rest days for us in the bottom half, so it’s perfect for me against Cuskelly."

Cuskelly made history at this tournament last year after he became the first player since 2001 to come through qualification and progress to the last four of a World Series tournament - and he required five games to see off World No.17 Max Lee.

Lee was irresistible early on as he swept to a one-game lead for the loss of three points, but a tenacious Cuskelly refused to bow down to the pressure as he battled back to go 2-1 ahead. The 29-year-old was unable to convert a match ball though, and Lee forced a decider, only to succumb to cramp as Cuskelly closed out a 3-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9 victory.

"I probably didn’t play the best but I tried to stay solid and he gave me a few cheap ones in the end before he started cramping, so I was a bit lucky," Cuskelly admitted.

"Overall, I’m happy with the win. I’ve had a couple of bad results, so everything was going through my head. I could have lost it but .......

Qatar Classic Squash Championship coming up this November

The much anticipated Qatar classic Squash championship is scheduled to hold on the 13th of November  to 18th 2016.
So painful I'll miss 2 of my favorite squash players.  The likes of Ramy and Gaultier.
Wish you guys a quick recovery.. ...Really hope this miss won't affect Ramy's World Series in Dubai due to points

oh! No! The general is out!Gaultier withdraws from Qatar Classic

Gaultier Withdraws from Qatar Classic
World No.2 Gregory Gaultier has withdrawn from the 2016 Qatar Classic after he was unable to recover from the ankle injury he sustained during last week’s PSA Men’s World Championship.

The Frenchman, a 2011 Qatar Classic winner and a runner-up last year in Doha, picked up the injury during his quarter-final clash with Egypt’s Tarek Momen in Cairo last week and was forced to withdraw from his semi-final fixture with World No.10 Ramy Ashour as a result.

His ankle problem is the latest in an injury-hit year for the 33-year-old, who has already spent two months on the sidelines after damaging ligaments on the same ankle during January’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions.

World No.4 Omar Mosaad replaces Gaultier as the number two seed and will play England’s Daryl Selby in round one, while 2009 winner Nick Matthew moves up to the number four seeded position and will play tournament wildcard Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi.

Elsewhere, Momen moves up to become the new number eight seed and will face a qualifier, with Hong Kong’s Leo Au moving into the main draw where he too will lock horns with a qualifier in the opening round.

Revised Main Draw – 2016 Qatar Classic
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Leo Au (HKG) v [Qualifier]
James Willstrop (ENG) v Chris Simpson (ENG)
[Qualifier] v [7] Ramy Ashour (EGY)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) v [4] Nick Matthew (EGY)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Tom Richards (ENG) v Zahed Mohamed (EGY)
Max Lee (HKG) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[Qualifier] v [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[5] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Cesar Salazar (MEX) v Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)
Simon Rösner (GER) v [Qualifier]
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [2] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

The qualifying stages of the 2016 Qatar Classic will take place on November 11-12, while the main draw begins a day later, with the final taking place on Friday November 18 – entry to the tournament is free of charge.

-ends-

Wasiu Sanni Lagos State Official Squash coach shared pic of himself and wife

Wasiu Sanni, the official Lagos State squash coach, former head Lagos State Coaches  shared an amazing picture of himself and beautiful wife on facebook.
In case ur all don't know,  Wasiu Sanni is one of Nigeria's squash Legend who is still very much active in the game.
More pic of Wasiu Sanni

Isn't he handsome? 

Ashour Pulls Out of Qatar Classic

World Championship runner-up Ramy Ashour has pulled out of the upcoming Qatar Classic after failing to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up during last week’s PSA Men’s World Championship final.

The maverick Egyptian has suffered a barrage of hamstring injuries over the past two years, however his body looked to be coping as he made it all the way to the final in Cairo.

But he was forced to shake hands in the fourth game of his clash with compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad, bringing a premature end to the match and preventing ‘The Artist’ from appearing in Qatar, the scene of two of his three World Championship triumphs.

The injury will also dent Ashour's hopes of being one of the eight qualifiers for the season-ending Dubai PSA World Series Finals as he will be unable to accrue vital points on the PSA Road to Dubai Standings - where he currently sits in third place - with the Qatar Classic acting as the third stage on the PSA Road to Dubai.

As a result of the injury, German No.1 Simon Rösner takes Ashour's place as the number eight seed and will meet a qualifier in the opening round, while Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller moves into the main draw and will also face a qualifier.

Revised Main Draw – 2016 Qatar Classic
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Leo Au (HKG) v [Qualifier]
James Willstrop (ENG) v Chris Simpson (ENG)
[Qualifier] v [8] Simon Rösner (GER)
[7] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) v [4] Nick Matthew (EGY)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Tom Richards (ENG) v Zahed Mohamed (EGY)
Max Lee (HKG) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[Qualifier] v [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[5] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Cesar Salazar (MEX) v Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)
Nicolas Mueller (SUI) v [Qualifier]
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [2] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

The qualifying stages of the 2016 Qatar Classic will take place on November 11-12, while the main draw begins a day later, with the final taking place on Friday November 18 – entry to the tournament is free of charge.

-ends-

El Welily Lifts Wadi Degla Open Crown

Egypt’s World No.4 Raneem El Welily claimed the inaugural 2016 Wadi Degla Open title after overcoming compatriot Nouran Gohar in the final of the PSA W50 tournament taking place in Cairo.

The duo are both representatives of the prestigious Wadi Degla Club and it was El Welily who took an early lead after coming through a nervy start and a flurry of errors to go a game ahead, only for Gohar to capitalise on some loose shots from her opponent in the second to draw level.

Gohar’s comeback was short-lived though as El Welily worked her way back into the contest, moving the younger Egyptian into all four corners of the court as she restored her lead in the third, before an unstoppable display in the fourth and final game saw her surge to victory, closing out an 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 11-5 triumph to lift her second PSA World Tour title of the season.

"I’m absolutely happy, Nouran is such a tough opponent, she’s a great player," said El Welily.

"It’s a pleasure playing with her in the final in front of the Wadi Degla Club and I’m really happy that I managed to win today.

"I was trying to get the ball to the back and was volleying as much as I could. I was trying to do that in the second, but then my length got short and I had to find another way to get the ball to the back. I’m really glad I found a solution there, otherwise it would have been a nightmare."

Result - Final: 2016 Wadi Degla Open
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 11-5 (42m)

Gawad Takes World Championship Title After Ashour Retires Through Injury

Egypt’s Karim Abdel Gawad is the 2016 Wadi Degla PSA Men’s World Champion after his final opponent in Cairo, three-time winner Ramy Ashour, was forced to retire in the fourth game of their climactic clash after a reoccurrence of the hamstring injury that has ravaged the last two years of his career.

Gawad, the 25-year-old World No.3 from Giza, battled back from a game down to go 2-1 up after a series of explosive rallies brought a vociferous crowd at the Wadi Degla club to their feet time and time again.

But, just two years after he marked a return from six months on the sidelines by taking the 2014 World Championship title, Ashour was unable to repeat the feat as his troublesome hamstring flared up again with the maverick 2-1 down in the fourth to hand the title to Gawad, who becomes only the third Egyptian of all time to hold the sport’s most illustrious title after Amr Shabana and Ashour himself.

"I still can’t believe it," said Gawad.

"It has been a very long week, I didn’t have a good start, but I think I had good performances this week. I’m grateful to my team as I was able to get back on court today after my match yesterday.

"I need to thank my parents, my father, my mother, my sister and my fiancée, who support me always, and came this week to help me win this.  Also, my coaches, Omar Abdel Aziz, Mohamed Abbas, and my fitness coach, Ali Ismail. The results I had this season are 50% my work, but 50% their effort, and they work hard to keep me fit and allow me to recover between tournaments when we have a very short time between events.

"I feel very sorry for Ramy for having the injury again and not being able to complete the match today. He’s a great ambassador for our sport and we are all happy to have him around at the tournaments.

"He’s great for many generations and all the generations learn a lot from him, even me. I wish him a speedy recovery."

Ashour said: "It was an honour to play this week, I’ve been through a lot, and every time I fall down I learn.

"As long as I’m still breathing, I’ll just keep trying. It’s the thing that I feel so much happiness when I do and thank you all for being here today."

Result - Final: 2016 PSA Men's World Squash Championship
[6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [5] Ramy Ashour (EGY) 3-1: 5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 2-1 retired (50m)

Gawad and Ashour to Contest World Championship Final

Egyptian duo Karim Abdel Gawad and Ramy Ashour will go head-to-head for the most coveted and illustrious title the sport has to offer when they meet in the final of the prestigious 2016 Wadi Degla PSA Men’s World Championship in Cairo.

Gawad will be appearing in his first ever World Championship final after coming through a brutal test against World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy to claim the most important win of his career to date.

The 25-year-old from Giza put in a superb display, unleashing a veritable feast of winners on his opponent as they contested high-octane rallies throughout the 90-minute clash. With the scores poised at two games apiece and with Gawad 5-1 up in the decider, ElShorbagy was forced off court with an apparent achilles injury. Despite battling on, ElShorbagy was unable to prevent Gawad from taking a huge 13-11, 10-12, 11-13, 11-2, 11-5 triumph to reach the final.

"I’m over the moon, I'm really, really happy and glad at the way I played today, I was playing really well throughout the whole match," said a delighted Gawad.

"I just need one more push, I have to focus really well and recover well for tomorrow. Tomorrow is a very big day. Everyone knows Ramy and everyone watches squash because of Ramy. Tomorrow, I just have to start well and I can't put too much pressure on myself.

"It's a very, very big dream and I've been dreaming about this since I started playing squash and started thinking that squash was my career. Even if I don't do it this time I will keep going for it and keep pushing for it. Hopefully one time I will win it."

Ashour, meanwhile, will aim to win a fourth World Championship title after his semi-final opponent, 2015 champion Gregory Gaultier, was forced to pull out with an ankle injury sustained in his quarter-final clash with Egypt’s Tarek Momen.

World No.10 Ashour, who captured the World Championship title in 2008, 2012 and 2014, has been besieged with numerous injuries over the past two years, with a calf injury picked up in September’s Al Ahram Open keeping him out of action for two months.

The enigmatic 29-year-old defied all critics when he triumphed in 2014 after returning to competitive action following a six month injury enforced break to take the crown and he will he will be hoping history repeats itself as he looks to draw level with compatriot Amr Shabana on four World Championship titles.

“I feel truly sad for Greg,” said Ashour.

"I have been there many times and I know exactly how it feels so I wish him a speedy recovery."

Results - Semi-Finals: 2016 PSA Men's World Squash Championship
[6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) 3-2: 13-11, 10-12, 11-13, 11-2, 11-5 (90m)
[5] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) w/o

Draw - Final
[6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [5] Ramy Ashour (EGY)

-ends-

El Welily And Gohar To Meet In Wadi Degla Open Final

Egyptian World No.3 Nouran Gohar and World No.4 Raneem El Welily will face off for the title of 2016 Women’s Wadi Degla Open Champion tomorrow when they meet in the final of the PSA W50 tournament taking place at their home club in Cairo.

The duo, both of whom train and play at the Wadi Degla club, came through contrasting yet challenging last four battles with eight-time World Champion Nicol David and Welsh qualifier, and tournament surprise package, Tesni Evans to set up what will be their sixth PSA World Tour encounter and their second title-decider.

It was El Welily who triumphed when the pair met in the 2014 China Open final and she secured her place in tomorrow's finale after banishing the demons of her World Championship final defeat to Malaysian Nicol David on Egyptian soil two years ago. El Welily held four championship balls in that encounter but put the record straight by coming from behind in the fifth to secure victory this time around and book her place in the final.

"Even in the last few points I don’t think my head was there anymore but she made the errors and I’m really grateful for those," said El Welily.

"I wasn’t [thinking about her World Championship final defeat] until before the match. Then in the fourth game it kind of came back. I was down in the entire fifth and I think the memory from last time gave me the push to not quit and to keep pushing harder."

Gohar, the 19-year-old World Junior champion who has already ascended to No.3 on the World Rankings, came through her encounter with Evans in more comfortable fashion, prevailing 3-1.

"I realised in the third that my pace wasn’t as high as it was in the first two games," said Gohar.

"I was trying volley as much as I could in the fourth and I was trying to get my concentration back and make it faster.

"Raneem and I train a lot together here at the same club and I’m glad we both got to the final. It’s such an honour for us to play in this club in front of this crowd tomorrow."

Results - Semi-finals: Women's Wadi Degla Open
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS) 3-2: 9-11, 13-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7 (70m)
[2] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt [Q] Tesni Evans (WAL) 3-1: 11-5, 11-2, 9-11, 11-4 (51m)

Draw - Final:
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

-ends-

Referee call caused commotion among spectators in the quarter final match between Ramy & Dassouky

Last night match between Rammy & Fares Dassouky didn't go so smooth as Fares worked out of court due to referee call during a game between him and the Egyptian  Squash Artist Ramy  which ended in 3-0 in favor of Ramy
Fares apologises  to family ,fans and friends  for working out

BREAKING: Defending Men's World Champion Gregory Gaultier officially withdraws due to injury ...

BREAKING: Defending Men's World Champion Gregory Gaultier officially withdraws due to injury ...
Gregory Gaultier is OUT of the World Champs due to an ankle injury - @RamyAshour into the Final
#WSqChampsStats @RamyAshour now in 5th @wcsquash final – just 4 less than Jahangir & Jansher’s shared 9-final record

More info soon on Africa's most visited squash blog. 

November 2016 world Squash Ranking

Male and Female world Squash ranking for November 2016

Ashour to Face Gaultier in Mouthwatering World Championship Semi-Final

Three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour and defending champion Gregory Gaultier will lock horns for the 33rd time on the PSA World Tour after both players triumphed in their last eight clashes at the 2016 Wadi Degla PSA Men’s World Championship to set up a highly-anticipated semi-final clash in Cairo.

Ashour - who lifted the sport’s most illustrious title in 2008, 2012 and 2014 - dispatched fellow Egyptian Fares Dessouky in straight games to move to within one win of a fifth World Championship final.

The maverick Egyptian stormed to a one-game lead, before coming out on top of an intense tie-break by a 17-15 margin to put one foot in the semi-final. Both players traded a series of high-octane blows until, with Ashour 10-8 up, an emotional Dessouky reacted to a referee decision by inexplicably conceding the match and walking off court to hand the win to Ashour.

"That was very stressful, definitely," said Ashour.

"I was relaxed but I wasn’t there, I couldn’t find it. He was physical, I got into his physical game and things weren’t going my way in my short game. When things happen like that I find it a challenge.

"I wouldn’t say I enjoy it, but I find it a challenge because life is not fun, it’s supposed to be a burden. When things happen that way I accept it and I have to go through it."

Meanwhile, Gaultier booked his place in a fourth consecutive World Championship semi-final after overcoming World No.11 Tarek Momen to become the only non-Egyptian semi-finalist.

The charismatic ‘French General’ put in a masterclass of a performance in the opening two games as he mixed up the pace well and utilised all four corners of the court to power into a 2-0 lead, but he surrendered three match balls in game three after a litany of errors to give Momen a lifeline.

A series of high-quality rallies in the fourth lit up the Wadi Degla club as the match drew to a nail-biting finale, with Gaultier managing to reassert himself on proceedings to edge out an 11-5, 11-5, 14-16, 11-8 triumph to set up an explosive semi-final clash with Ashour, who currently leads the head-to-head record 25-7.

“He’s a really skilful player, he’s very dangerous, talented and he can put the ball away at any time,” said Gaultier.

“If you don’t pay attention, you lose the big points, that’s what happened on the game balls. I didn’t play tight enough and I rushed myself. He’s talented and a hard worker.

“You have to remember that at the end of the day, in any kind of country, it’s two lions battling as hard as possible on the same territory. There’s only one winner coming out, but today I felt it was really tough."

Results - Quarter-Final (Bottom Half): 2016 PSA Men's World Squash Championship
[5] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [15] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 17-15, 10-8 retired (67m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [11] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-1: 11-5, 11-5, 14-16, 11-8 (73m)

Draw - Semi-Final
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
[5] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)

-ends-

Bala shared some pics after game at Transcorp Hilton Hotel

Abubakar Bala is one of Nigeria's best squash player who hails and represent Niger state, graced with several medals. The squash talent who has been participating in different tourney across the country lately shared a pic of himself puffing having a nice time after a tourney knows at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.  Chilling Beside him is Bello Wasiu, one of Nigeria's best 10 Squash Athlete.