Youseef, Ivan cruise into the FMC International Squash Championship final
Egyptian Yousaf Soleman set title clash with Malaysian Ivan Yuen in the FMC International Squash Championship final at the Punjab Squash Complex, Lahore.
Youseef Soliman of Egypt will face second seed Ivan Yuen of Malaysia in the FMC International Men's Squash Championship final, Youseef toppled experienced Farhan Mehboob of Pakistan in a four-game semi-final at the four-sided glass court while Malaysian overpowered Tayyab Aslam in four game battle.
Farhan, a 30-year old, who has defeated Mazan Gamal of Egypt in the quarter-final, in three straight sets, failed to match the speed and skill of 21-year old Soliman, who returned a score of 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3 to book a place in the final. Even though Farhan gave tough fight, but on the crucial moments he made unforced errors and paid the penalty.
After losing the first game, Farhan fought back to win the second to restore parity with 1-1. From thereon, the Egyptian showed his guts and exhibited a more skilful game to win the remaining two to fold up victory after a 43-minute fight.
Soliman had entered the semi-final after beating Asim Khan of Pakistan in a tough quarter-final, which stretched to five games. But even he proved himself to be a better player having lots of stamina, as Farhan, in the last stages was looking fatigued.
Tayyab Aslam is another Pakistani who entered the semi-final last night after beating Auguste Dussourd of France in three straight sets. Tayyab, 22, won the match with the score lines of 11-8, 11-9 and 12-10 in just 35 minutes. Though Dussourd gave a tough fight in each game, he failed to win because Tayyab dominated him with his speed and stamina.
Besides Soliman, another foreign player who made the last four was Ivan Yuen of Malaysia after beating another Pakistani Israr Ahmad after a 31-minute long fight. The Malaysian overwhelmed Israr with scores of 11-8, 11-6 and 11-7.
Ivan Yuen of Malaysia qualified for the final of the International Squash Championships after defeating Tayyab Aslam of Pakistan in the second semi-final 3-1.
In the final, the Malaysian will take on Youseef Soliman of Egypt, who had defeated Pakistan’s Farhan Mehboob in the first semi-final.
Top Pakistani player Tayyab was in good shape and was expecting to overcome high-flying Ivan, but the Malaysian had other ideas as he not only fought exceptionally but also sealed the spot in the final against the Egyptian.
Tayyab had to face tough resistance from the Malaysian player before winning the first game 11/9. But it was all that Tayyab could get from the crucial match as he couldn’t match the splendor and supremacy of the well-composed and vigorous Malaysian, who won the next three games in a row to grab place in the final.
Ivan’s brilliance and form helped him make a strong comeback and win the second game by 11/7, the third one by 11/8 and then the fourth and decisive one by 11/9 to register a tremendous triumph.
