Tribune News Network
Doha
Egyptian Tarek Momen ended home hopes with an exciting 3-1 win over Doha-born Abdulla Al Tamimi, while World No.1s Ali Farag and Nour El Sherbini reached the quarter-finals, alongside Nele Gilis of Belgium in the Qterminals Qatar Classic Squash at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Tuesday.
In a gripping contest, Momen and Al Tamimi both played quick, attacking squash which led to fast, energetic rallies.
Momen found his groove earlier in the match and took the first two games off the Qatari, but Al Tamimi came back strong in the third, using the front of the court and playing faster than the Egyptian to halve the deficit.
Momen was unflappable in the face of Al Tamimi’s home crowd, and won points consistently between the heroics the World No.35 was producing to stay in the match, as he completed a 3-1 (11-8, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8) victory.
The former World No.3 – who won the 2019 World Championship here – spoke afterwards about his feelings on the match.
“It’s good vibes, I’m happy that I was tested in that manner, this was a tough match for me mentally.“
Momen will face the World No.1 and two-time Qatar Classic champion Farag in his quarter final.
The No.1 seed beat former World No.7 Fares Dessouky in three games in their round three match, with Farag controlling things throughout despite some strong attacking efforts from his fellow Egyptian.
In the women’s round three matches, World No.1 El Sherbini came from behind to beat fellow Egyptian Rowan Elaraby 3-1.
The No.2 seed lost the first game in a tie break after Elaraby played on the attack to edge a close battle.
However, the 2023 PSA World Champion winner soon found her usual immaculate form and won the next three games in just 24 minutes to progress to the quarter final.
Speaking after the match, El Sherbini reflected on her previous times in Doha: “I have amazing memories on this court, I won my second World Junior Championship here.
“I’m really, really happy we’re playing a women’s event here in Qatar.”
El Sherbini will face World No.6 Nele Gilis in the last eight.
The Belgium No.1 earned her place in the quarter final with a 3-0 win against World No.29 Nada Abbas with the 27-year-old recovering well after being caught in the face by a loose shot.
