Qatar Classic: Rosner eliminates Willstrop

PSA 14:11 16/11/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • 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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Recommended