Quarter Final day

Yesterday I managed to get past World No.5 Nick Matthew, 3-1, to earn a place in the Quarter Finals. The 90 minute match was kind of played in two parts. I feel I dominated the match until I was 2-0 and 10-6 match ball up. Yep, 4 match balls... Then Nick played some great squash from 10-6 down and managed to force the tie break and sneak the game. He had a 3 point lead at 7-4 up in the 4th, and at this point I just had to hang in there, make it tough, and play each rally as it came. There was no thinking about winning the match, it was literally point by point.
It's so pleasing when you can see the hard work you've done in training, pays off. As I can suffer from cramps from time to time, it was also a great feeling to feel quite strong at the end of the match.

I found it funny to read in the press that maybe the reason Nick lost was that a) he played the wild card in the first round (had no rhythm and no feel for he court); and b) he was 'still flat' from the British Open. Does that mean he was 'flat' during the British Open? I would love to see him not flat then! Correct me if I'm wrong but if you've just won the British Open, or any big tournament for that matter, you have a fair bit of momentum and confidence going into your next event. And playing the wildcard, surely that's a nice way to ease into the tournament.

I play Karim Darwish tonight in the Quarters and as the glass court is in absolute shambles, the matches will be played on the traditional glass back courts in the club. It's a massive challenge playing the World No.1 in his home country and I can't wait to test him out.

Petrosport Open - EGYPT!

Well I am now in Cairo playing the Petrosport Open. It's a pretty big event with a total prize pool of $135,000 USD - significantly more than the 'prestigious' British Open last week ($75,000). The first round was played today and there was only one upset really with Reda defeating Bozza 3-1. I managed to beat Ong Beng Hee 3-1. I played quite well actually. Hitting the ball nicely and surprisingly moving very well!
I'm playing Nick Matthew tomorrow at 12pm in a re-match of the British Open. Hopefully this time my ankle will pull up ok in the morning. Last week in Manchester was pretty embarrassing and I possibly shouldn't have played with my ankle that bad. But I've never retired before or during a match so I thought, 'what the hell, give it a go..'
Looking forward to tomorrow's match for a place in the Quarter finals of a Super Series Platinum event.

British Open update 2

Yesterday was Round 2 in the British Open and unfortunately I went down to Nick Matthew 3-0. The day didn't start well when I woke in the morning and realised I could barely put any weight on my right leg. I didn't twist my and or leg or anything in the 1st round, but something must have jarred during the match. The Physio managed sort my hip out in time for my 2pm match but even with my ankle heavily strapped, I couldn't really lunge on it. Pretty disappointing to be honest as I was looking forward to playing on the glass court against a 'local' boy in the British Open. Shit happens I suppose!

Selby is playing really well this tournament and I think he will push Matthew today. Azlan is also on form and if he plays anything like he did in the World Games a month ago, he will beat Willstrop.

Petrosport Open in Egypt starts next week and I fly out on Wednesday. All the top players are playing and those who make the final in the British will need to back up quite well for their 1st round next week!

British Open update

The first round of the main draw got under way today in the British Open in Manchester. The top 16seeds all got through bar Amir Atlas Khan and Shorbagy. Kiwi Kashif Shuja contained Shorbagy extremely well and didn't give him much chance to hit outright winners, while Selby was 1 game up and 9-4 up before Khan decided to call it quits.

I played Farhan Meboob and managed to get a 3-0 win under my belt. He beat me a year ago in Egypt and 4 weeks ago in Malaysia - both matches going the distance - so I was really up for this one. I played most of the match down the right side wall, hammering his backhand. The tactic worked and I got an 13-11, 11-4, 11-9 win.

I play Nick Matthew tomorrow at 2pm. It will be on the glass court at the National Centre and hopefully a good crowd will turn up.