ATCO Squash

Finals, Thu 9th October:

Omar Abdel Aziz (Egy) bt Hisham Ashour (Egy)                    11/7, 2/11, 12/10, 11/2 (50m)
Alister Walker (Eng) bt Simon Rosner (Ger)                         11/1, 10/12, 11/6, 11/7 (47m)

Joey Barrington (Eng) bt Julian Illingworth (Usa)                   8/11, 11/9, 11/2, 11/3 (69m)
Aamir Atlas Khan (Pak) bt Mansoor Zaman (Pak)                  9/11, 11/9, 11/4, 11/5 (47m)

Davide Bianchetti (Ita) bt Shawn Delierre (Can)                           11/4, 11/3, 11/8 (30m)
Daryl Selby (Eng) bt Renan Lavigne (Fra)                                      11/8, 11/2, 11/2 (40m)

Jonathan Kemp (Eng) bt Aaron Frankcomb (Aus)                           11/4, 11/9, 11/4 (32m)
Amr Swelim (Egy) bt Farhan Mehboob (Pak)                        4/11, 11/8, 11/8, 14/12 (55m)
  

Amr Swelim (Egy) bt Farhan Mehboob (Pak)
    4/11, 11/8, 11/8, 14/12 (55m)

Swelim makes the big upset

Swelim was playing extremely very well today as he was keeping the pressure on Mehboob, who was often playing strange shots at the wrong time.

Farhan made a good start but after that Swelim found his game as he was keeping the ball tight and concentrating from Mehboob’s shot as well, it was his day for sure.

Farhan still wasn’t at his best today, but he still had two game balls in the fourth, but it's Swelim gets to the main draw of a platinum tournament for the second time.
 

"I am very happy today to win and to get to Saudi.

"I played very well, I was concentrating today, I was keeping the ball very tight to the wall, I needed to be careful because his volley is so good.

Jonathan Kemp (Eng) bt Aaron Frankcomb (Aus)        11/4, 11/9, 11/4 (32m)

Kemp eases home

It’s always hard to play a left hander, especially a player like Kemp who is very talented. He was playing very well today, he was controlling very well and Aaron was trying very hard to play his game.

Aaron started well in the second as he started to control and Kemp hit the tin many times. The game became closer at the end, but it was Aaron who was making the mistakes at the end.

In the third Kemp hit four nicks from the volley, he was playing great squash.

"He was too good today, the court was alright I just didn’t play the right game with him.

"I am going to play Joey in World Open, looking forward to it."

Daryl Selby (Eng) bt Renan Lavigne (Fra)                                      11/8, 11/2, 11/2 (40m)

Selby in control,
No answers from Renan

Selby was totally in control today, he was playing very well. The first game they both played very well but after that Selby started to play some shorts ball and volleying and keeping the pressure on Renan who was totally out of concentration, he couldn’t do anything, his brain wasn’t working today.

"I am happy to qualify for Saudi, the first game was quite tough then I went for my short shots which were working today, then he started to make lots of errors - I haven’t seen him making errors like that before."



"I don’t know what happened today, my brain wasn’t completely working and I was out of concentration. I usually manage to qualify for the big tournaments, but I haven’t qualified for this tournament before, maybe just just once in my life ..."

Aamir Atlas Khan (Pak) bt Mansoor Zaman (Pak)                  9/11, 11/9, 11/4, 11/5 (47m)

Aamir on form

That was a very good match from both players. They started very well, both of them as they were playing very good squash, Mansoor is a talented player, he makes great shots especially from his volley.

Aamir didn’t have a good start like Mansoor, who was completely in control as Aamir gave him lots of easy shots so Mansoor was always taking advantage from these shots.

In the second Mansoor lost a bit of concentration, and Aamir was able to take advantage to go 7/3 up. Then Mansoor started to come back to 7/7, 8/8, 9/9 but Aamir made two tight shots to win the second game.

After that Mansoor seemed very tired, as Aamir was moving quite well and he is now going to play in Saudi.

"We played a fantastic match. Mansoor is a very good player, difficult to play because he is a shot maker.

"Today I was physically okay and I was moving well so I am quite happy now. I did some very hard training before Wolverhampton with my father Atlas Kahn and my cousin Amjad Khan, they gave me a good sessions and hopefully I will play well in the World Open."



"We played well today, I did my best but he is such a good player, he is so quick. But I am happy with my performance and I am really looking forward to the World Open. As I told you I was fasting so I didn’t have a good training in Ramadan so I was a bit tired at the end of the match.

Joey Barrington (Eng) bt Julian Illingworth (Usa)                   8/11, 11/9, 11/2, 11/3 (69m)

Joey looking good…

He had an injury last week in Wolverhampton and he has just recovered from it and he is fine now, he was moving well against Julian, who is a very dangerous player his backhand is so dangerous.

The first two games were very tough, Illingworth was putting the pressure on Joey in the first game; the match was all in the back hand side.

After that Joey found his game and in the third and fourth started to play with more confidence, Illingworth lost his concentration at the end.

Joey is in Saudi again now, he is going to the world open too ... let’s see what is he going to do.

"I am getting better with every match now, and I am really looking forward to Manchester.

"Julian had some good results, he played well yesterday against Mohamed, The first two games were very tough.

"He is a good player and I am looking forward to play him again."

"It was a tough match, he stayed steady in the second, third and fourth he was playing well. This court was quite different to the other one. I am looking forward to Manchester, I will play with another English guy Alister Walker."

Alister Walker (Eng) bt Simon Rosner (Ger)       11/1, 10/12, 11/6, 11/7 (47m)

Walker in control

It was their first time to meet each other on court, Walker was playing very well today, and Simon had a very slow start.

The first game Walker was in control and surprised Rosner with his squash.

In the second Walker was completely in control and he took the lead 8/4, then he lost his concentration and Rosner get back to the game strongly -  10/8 to Walker then two tight ball from Rosner.

At 10/10 an unforced error from walker and good shot from Rosner, gave him the second game.

After that Walker got back his concentration again and started to control the match again.

He has now got to Saudi again, and of course looking forward for the World Open.

"I played a clever game, I am quite happy with my game today.

"I lost my concentration in the latter half of the second, I wasn’t patient I wanted to win quickly, but then I got my concentration again.

"I am happy now I got to Saudi..."

Omar Abdel Aziz (Egy) bt Hisham Ashour (Egy)       11/7, 2/11, 12/10, 11/2 (50m)

What A Match..!!

They played last time in Hurghada, and Abd El Aziz won, but they are a very good friends outside the court. Abd El Aziz was fighting today, and Hisham was okay, I think his shoulder was much better than yesterday.

They were playing very good squash, Hisham played some great shots. They started with some long rallies, there were lots of killing shots from Ashour and lots of silly shots as well from him.

Abd El Aziz was moving very well today, he was very good today, it was his day.

Hisham was completely in control in the second game and Abd El Aziz was hitting the tin a lot. The third was amazing, Hisham was in control in the beginning, he was controlling the T and Abd El Aziz was fighting to get to every ball.

Abd El Aziz was up 10/7then Hisham started to come back and back point by point with amazing rallies. At 10/10 we saw the best point of the match as Hisham was making him moving in all the corners, and in the middle of the point the ball broken, so they stopped.

Ashour wasn’t happy with the referee as well. When they got back Abd El Aziz won the point and mistake from hisham,

After that Aziz got the confident and changed his game in the fourth and won the match and got to Saudi.

"First of all I am feeling sorry about his shoulder, but he is still playing very good squash , he is a solid player, I was feeling very well today, I was light. Second game he was playing very well and making me run to the four corners, in the third I was concentrating a lot when I was 10/7 up, he played good shots and came back.

"I changed my game in the fourth, I am very happy, and looking forward for the World Open, and I hope his shoulder will get better.

"I think he had never ran like that before, he was so quick. I was totally in control in the second and third ... then some funny calls from the referee, and tins ...

"I was 40% today. My shoulder was better today I was making him do all the running in the the second and third :D

"I think they have to stop the three referees system because everyone is saying a decision and they have different view, it has to be one decision."

Round One, Wed 8th October:      finals from 12.00 Thu, 2 courts

Hisham Ashour (Egy) bt Joe Lee (Eng)                          6/11, 11/5, 9/11, 11/8, 11/7 (57m)
Omar Abdel Aziz (Egy) bt Jesse Engelbrecht (Rsa)                  11/6, 11/6, 8/11, 11/3 (42m)

Alister Walker (Eng) bt Tom Richards (Eng)                                   11/6, 11/7, 11/5 (33m)
Simon Rosner (Ger) bt Kashif Shuja (Nzl)                                       11/5, 11/8, 11/8 (38m)

Joey Barrington (Eng) bt Mohd. Nafizwan Adnan (Mas)                    11/4, 11/4, 11/5 (41m)
Julian Illingworth (Usa) bt Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy)                11/8, 11/6, 13/11 (43m)

Aamir Atlas Khan (Pak) bt Ryan Cuskelly (Eng)                              11/4, 11/6, 11/9 (43m)
Mansoor Zaman (Pak) bt Rafael Alarcon (Bra)                       9/11, 11/9, 11/8, 11/7 (36m)

Shawn Delierre (Can) bt Chris Ryder (Eng)                           8/11, 11/5, 11/2, 11/7 (48m)
Davide Bianchetti (Italy) bt Peter Creed (Wal)                               11/3, 11/5, 11/6 (30m)

Daryl Selby (Eng) bt Ali Anwar Reda (Egy)                                     11/7, 11/8, 11/9 (48m)
Renan Lavigne (Fra) bt Julien Balbo (Fra)                              7/11, 11/8, 11/8, 11/8 (71m)

Aaron Frankcomb (Aus) bt Charles Sharpes (Eng)                        11/9, 11/3, 11/3 (24m)
Jonathan Kemp (Eng) bt Jonathan Harford (Eng)                            11/6, 11/6, 11/3 (23m)
 
Amr Swelim (Egy) bt James Snell (Eng)                                         11/7, 11/3, 11/8 (34m)
Farhan Mehboob (Pak) bt Liam Kenny (Irl)                           11/9, 7/11, 11/6, 11/4 (50m)

Farhan Mehboob (Pak) bt Liam Kenny (Irl)          11/9, 7/11, 11/6, 11/4 (50m)

Farhan not at his best

Farhan was unlucky today, he made too many errors, he wasn’t playing his best squash, I saw him in Egypt ad he was just an amazing player, one of the most talent players in the world.

Liam, it was  my first time to see him playing but he did well, he could have won today when he was 5/1 up in the third.

Then Farhan started to come back from 5/1 to win the game 11/6 so he was just losing his concentration in the match, but the fourth he didn’t give him any chance to play. He is going to play against Amr Swelim, we will see two talented players on court then.

I started very well, controlling my shots were working very well, then I relaxed and I started to make some silly errors. He was playing quite well I didn’t play my best I hope I will get better and better tomorrow.

Aaron Frankcomb (Aus) bt
Charles Sharpes (Eng) 11/9, 11/3, 11/3 (24m)

"It was a very good match. I got nervous in the first game at 9-all, he is a local player so he had a very good crowd, it’s good atmosphere for the tournament.

"I'm glad to get through and I'm looking forward to playing Kemp."



"It was a hard match for me, he is such a very good player.

"First game I played very well, after that I got tired, he is too good. Hopefully I can try again next year ..."

Daryl Selby (Eng) bt Ali Anwar Reda (Egy)                 11/7, 11/8, 11/9 (48m)

Selby in control

Daryl Selby more experience than Mohamed Ali Anwar, who played well today but was a bit unlucky, the match was quite tough, they never played before.

The first game Daryl was in control but Mohamed made some mistakes which helped his opponent.

The second game was quite tough, Daryl was always leading and Mohamed Ali couldn't close the gap. At 9/7 Daryl hit a great nick, the next point Mohamed hit another great nick, but then Daryl won 11/8

Anwar needed to be more patient in the match, the last game Daryl had the lead again all the game and Mohamed made some silly mistakes.

Daryl against Renan should be another interesting match to watch.

"I played quite well, I knew it was going to be very tough because he had some good results in the last few tournaments, but I am happy to get through and to win 3/0.

I played good squash, and tomorrow it's Renan, who is very experienced. I want to win ... I am really looking forward to playing in Saudi ..."


"I didn’t play bad, but the end of each game was very bad for me, and he played better so he deserves to win."

Davide Bianchetti (Italy) bt Peter Creed (Wal   11/3, 11/5, 11/6 (30m)

An easy ride for Bianchetti

Davide Bianchetti was playing very well today, controlling the match and moving very well against Peter Creed, who is a student here at Millfield so he got an entry as a local.

"Good start, I am happy with that court, I like it, I think I am ready. I am playing well, and looking forward for my match tomorrow."

Shawn Delierre (Can) bt Chris Ryder (Eng)                          
                8/11, 11/5, 11/2, 11/7 (48m)

Shawn makes the upset

Shawn Delierre made the first upset of the day, beating Chris Ryder, who was very tired after just winning the Leinster Open followed by a league match.

Shaw is a good player, he played very good squash today and was moving quite well. First game Shawn was up 8/5 then Ryder came back strongly to win the game 11/8.

After that Delierre controlled everything, as he didn’t give any chance to Ryder to play or give him any confidence to get to the game. Shawn will play Davide next, it is going to be an interesting match to watch.

"I never saw Chris played in my life. In the first game I thought that I had a very good chance to win but I needed to do more work. And I got the energy to do that. And every game I played very well after that so I am very happy."

Aamir Atlas Khan (Pak) bt
Ryan Cuskelly (Eng)  11/4, 11/6, 11/9 (43m)

"I played pretty well, the ball was quite bouncy, it’s a hot court so I was trying to keep the pace slow.

"I have to be careful - I will play Mansoor which is bad because we came from far away to play with each other, but we have to play and we are going to do our best."



"I had a very good start, and I was concentrating all the match, but he is a very good player and very quick on court. I felt that I was controlling the rallies, but he is different and hard to play."

Alister Walker (Eng) bt Tom Richards (Eng)  11/6, 11/7, 11/5 (33m)

"I am happy to win 3/0 , I was concentrating from the start. He played well, he was hungry, I played well too. He will get better and better this season.

"Tomorrow I will play Simon, who I never played before so it will be a good experience for both of us."



"He was too good I played badly. He was confident and I played the wrong game.

"It wasn’t my day ..."

Mansoor Zaman (Pak) bt Rafael Alarcon (Bra)            9/11, 11/9, 11/8, 11/7 (36m)

"I played all my shots today, I didn’t give him any chance to play, I was making him under pressure all the time.

"As you know I was fasting in Ramadan so I was training all the time, so I am happy to play with that quality, happy with my performance. I hope to play well against Aamir tomorrow."



"Good to play after long time without any matches. It was a very tough match, he is a shot maker, a very good player.

"I hope to play well in the world open in Manchester."

Julian Illingworth (Usa) bt Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egy)                11/8, 11/6, 13/11 (43m)

Julian on form

They had never played before, and El Shorbagy was a bit nervous because he was playing in his school so he had some pressure. It was my first time to watch Illingworth he is so dangerous on court, he has lots of very good shots.

In the first game Shorbagy had a slow start then the game became more closer, Illingworth was slowing the pace, he didn’t like some decision from the referees. Then he made two good shots to win the first game,

El Shorbagy had a very good start in the second he took the lead 4/0 buy after that he made lots of unforced errors and Illingworth started to get back to the game. Illingworth was playing with the right plan.

The third was very close and El Shorbagy was leading in that game, 8/5 then Illingworth back to 9/8 and then El Shorbagy had a good chance to win the game, but he lost the point then Illingworth got 11/10 but he couldn’t win the first match point but he won the second to get through to the next round to play against another home favourite Joey Barrington.

"Mohamed didn’t play his game he was very nervous, made lots of mistakes, was putting lots of pressure on himself and he didn’t play his best today.

"Julian is a very good player he is a very good professional and he has a very good drop back hand, Mohamed felt more pressure playing in his home in Millfield - maybe he will feel the same in Alexandria, he will learn more and more and get more experience, and we will see what is he going to do in the world open, of course he will play better.

"All the guys in Julian’s category are very good squash players and are very calm in their preparation for matches, Mohamed still from time to time gets a little bit excited, which is necessary up to a point but if it becomes too much it is not good.



"I am happy to win 3/0 today. I was a bit nervous because I didn’t play him before I got excited when I got to the match, I was attacking very well today I was always keeping him behind me. He is so dangerous in the middle so I was trying to keep the ball away from him. I  play Joey now,  another local player - I hope to win. I never played him before but it should be a long match ..."

Joey Barrington (Eng) bt Mohd. Nafizwan Adnan (Mas)      11/4, 11/4, 11/5 (41m)

Safe Start for Barrington

A comfortable first match for Joey.

They had a very long start to the match, with lots of lets, Joey is fine now, he has just recovered from his injury, he played very well and was moving well.

Nafizwan had a problem with his leg and he didn’t feel happy with his game.

"I am happy to get through to the next round, and to play in my home club Millfield.

"There are no easy matches though, they are all tough."



"I played too bad. I have a problem with my leg, the ball was bouncy, but he played better, he deserved to win."

"I played pretty well today I was attacking and controlling. I had my plan at the start, but I was getting nervous at the end of the second and third. I didn't make many mistakes today, I am looking forward for my match tomorrow."

Omar Abdel Aziz (Egy) bt Jesse Engelbrecht (Rsa)                  11/6, 11/6, 8/11, 11/3 (42m)

Good Start for
Abdel Aziz

Omar played well today, he played his game and it was working, the court is hot and the ball is so bouncy which why I think it was working for Omar.

Omar was playing long rallies and Jesse was making too many mistakes.

First game they started well 2/2 3/3 4/4 5/5 and then Abd El Aziz found his game, he was moving very well in the second game. Jesse was a bit unlucky.



Third game Jesse found the game and started to be more patient, and he won the third as Abdel Aziz made many unforced errors.

Last Game Abd El Aziz played at very fast pace he won eight points in a row and reached the second round.

"We played at very high pace, the ball was so bouncy. I was playing very well in the first two games I was playing my game and then he found his.

"I wish good luck to Hisham now who is still playing and I hope to play with my big brother tomorrow."





"I was flat today, I played his game which he liked it a lot but he played well."

Jesse Engelbrecht

Hisham Ashour (Egy) bt Joe Lee (Eng)        
        6/11, 11/5, 9/11, 11/8, 11/7 (57m)

Ashour survives…

Joe had the chance to win today, Ashour is still suffering with a shoulder injury he got in the USA.

Joe started well in the first game, and Ashour didn’t get into the game as I think he was thinking about the injury. Ashour wasn’t hitting the ball, he was just slowing the pace as he could, he was waiting the mistake from Joe Lee.

In the third game Ashour came back from 10/5 to 10/9 but Joe Lee finished the game with a great drop shot. Ashour came back strongly in the fourth game, he was leading all the game and finished the game with a great nick.

In the last game Joe seemed very tired, Ashour was in control, and making him run all over the court.



Ashour will play his mate Omar Abd El Aziz tomorrow, but we will see how is he going to do with his injury ...

"He played very well, all credit to him he played very well and he improved a lot I think his ranking is going to improve.

"My shoulder's not too bad I had 15 days off because of my injury and I had a tough match but still won. My problem is my body is tight so I feel like I'm pregnant!

"I have another match tomorrow and I don’t know how I am going to do with my shoulder."



"He played well, very well in the fourth and fifth. I was playing his game so that was my problem today, so I had too much work to do, but I think I played well."

More about Millfield

The Pakistan, Egypt & England parties prepare ...