Fathi gives hard time to Pakistan# 1 Tayyab Aslam in $28,000 CAS International Men Squash Championship 2019 quarters
Egypt’s Karim Al Fathi thrashed Tayyab Aslam by 3-0 to advance into semis of $28,000 CAS International Men Squash Championship 2019 at Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex, Islamabad.
The $28,000 CAS International Men Squash Championship 2019 is continue in full swing where Greg Lobban, Mostafa Asal and Karim Al Fathi move into the semifinals of mega event which is begin played at Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex, Islamabad.
Scottish star player Greg Lobban defeated Mohamed ElSherbini of Egypt by 3-1 as the top seed Greg produced skillful game to move into the semifinal with the final score line of 11-5,11-6, 9-11, 11-7.
The second quarter-final was played between Egyptian Mostafa Asal against his compatriot Mazen Gamal where third seed Mostafa defeated Mazen by 3-1 with the final score line of 9-11, 11-6, 11-6 ,11-5.
In the third quarterfinal, Egypt’s Karim Al Fathi thrashed Tayyab Aslam by 3-0, Karim who ended the campaign of local hope Asim Khan in the pre-quarterfinal round. Fifth seed Tayyab who rose to 51st position in world ranking and won three PSA events in 2018, was the only Pakistani player in the quarterfinal of $28,000 event.
The first game started with Tayyab settling down well while Fathi also responded in style. Both players were involved in fierce battle and displayed quality squash, which was duly appreciated by the crowd. Fathi soon changed gears and started to pile more and more pressure on Tayyab, who was just looking cornered and had no clues what was coming next at him. Tayyab was looking puzzled as Fathi was pressing hard and putting Tayyab to run to all corners of the court. Fathi played one of the best squash of the tournament and took first game by 11-5.
Tayyab matched fire with fire for the majority of third game and occasionally, he did pose serious challenge to Fathi, but he committed unforced and uncharacteristic mistakes, which simply gifted second game to Fathi by 11-8.
The real battle was witnessed in the 3rd game. Fathi was not ready to concede easily and was giving his all. On the other hand, Tayyab was sensing if he allowed Fathi room and space, it will spell disaster for him. Both played long rallies and pushed each other hard and it was seesaw battle, which kept on swinging from one way to another, both fought for each and every point. It was very hard to determine, who will eventually prevail, as both were not ready to back off but Fathi manage to win the game 11-5 and book berth into the semifinal.
