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Hong Kong Open 2022 Day Two: Side Courts – Player Reaction
The seeds enter the fray for day two of the Everbright Securities International Hong Kong Squash Open 2022, with places in the last 16 up for grabs.
They are joined by the winners from round one yesterday, with another 32 matches across four courts – including three side courts.
On court 9, the No.5 seed Nour El Tayeb faces Millie Tomlinson, while the No.5 seed in the men’s draw Marwan ElShorbagy takes on Dimitri Steinmann.
Meanwhile unseeded Nele Gillis, who became the first female Belgian player to reach the top 10 in the latest PSA World Rankings, locks horns with Georgia Adderley.
Play gets underway from 12:00 (GMT+8), and all 24 matches on the side courts can be watched LIVE by clicking here, while the eight matches on the glass court are available to watch on SQUASHTV.
You can see what the winners had to say from the side courts below.
Hutton Fights Back To Defeat Ramadan
Jasmine Hutton produced a terrific fightback from 2-0 to defeat Hana Ramadan to book her place in the last 16.
Ramadan raced into a 2-0 lead when she won games one and two 11-8 and 11-5, but Hutton battled back to take game three 11-8 before drawing level to force a decider by clinching game four 15-13.
But Hutton completed the fightback in the fifth as she came out on top with an 11-6 victory to advance to the third round.
“I’m very relieved! At 2-0 down I thought I was booking my flight back home to London, but I’m super happy to get myself geed up again and win it in five,” Hutton explained.
“I thought to myself that I need to focus on one specific thing, such as taking that one opportunity that I need and going for it.
“I think I was bit too relaxed – being 2-0 down you have to then give it everything and from there there’s no expectations or pressure on you.
“I took it one point at a time and focused on controlling it at the back and when I had that opportunity, just making sure I took it.”
Elsewhere, Satomi Watanabe reached the third round of a Platinum event tournament for the first time as she defeated Aira Azman 3-0, while Egyptian and tournament No.6 seed Rowan Elaraby got the better of her compatriot Sana Ibrahim 3-1.
Results
Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt Hana Ramadan (EGY) 3-2: 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 15-13, 11-6 (55m)
Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Aira Azman (MAS) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 14-12 (28m)
[6] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) bt Sana Ibrahim (EGY) 3-1: 11-8, 20-18, 9-11, 11-7 (60m)
El Tayeb Cruises Into Round Three
The tournament’s No.5 seed Nour El Tayeb cruised into the third round after a dominant display against Millie Tomlinson.
The Egyptian won in straight sets, 11-2, 11-6 and 11-3 in just 22 minutes to progress to the last 16, where she will meet her fellow countrywoman Fayrouz Aboelkheir.
“I’m very happy with my performance today,” said El Tayeb.
“Millie (Tomlinson) and I have played in the juniors and I always think back to that match. She will know the match, too, and I was very focused from the beginning. I thought I performed very well, I’m happy with my performance and hopefully I can keep going.
“This performance gives me all the confidence in my ability and in my squash. if you get through with a performance like this it gives you a lot of confidence and I’m just pleased.
“I’ve said it a lot, but since my comeback I don’t take any match for granted and I’m grateful to be in the third round. I have nice memories here in Hong Kong, hopefully I can play well again tomorrow.”
Aboelkheir, El Tayeb’s opponent tomorrow, secured her first-ever appearance in a third round of a Platinum event as she battled back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Zeina Mickawy.
Aifa Azman is also through to the last 16, defeating Mariam Metwally 3-1.
Results
[5] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-6, 11-3 (22m)
Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt Zeina Mickawy (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 16-14, 11-5 (53m)
Aifa Azman (MAS) bt Mariam Metwally (EGY) 3-1: 6-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-5 (41m)
Rooney Downs El Sirty In Three
England’s Patrick Rooney earned his place in the last 16 with a comfortable win over Egyptian Moustafa El Sirty.
Rooney, making his first appearance in this year’s tournament, won the first two games 11-6, with El Sirty going close to pulling a game back in the third.
However Rooney prevailed 11-9 to reach the third round where he will meet the tournament’s No.2 seed Diego Elias.
“I rate that (his performance against El Sirty) quite highly in all my performances in the last three weeks. I’ve been in Singapore, Malaysia and now Hong Kong and that was one of the best I’ve played.
“I think I have a good game for his style and I I played well enough to execute the game plan, so I thought that worked really well.
“When you’re playing well and you go 2-0 up, the third is always the hardest to get over the line. He got a good lead, hit some good shots, but I had to get back to those first two games in what I was doing in those – get a few good, hard rallies and I eventually broke him down.
“It’s my first last 16 (appearance) in a while, so it’s good to get there again. I’m up against Diego (Elias), which will be tough as always. I enjoy playing him and watching him.”
On court 9, Youssef Soliman defeated Rui Soares to reach the last 16 and on court 7, Auguste Dussourd edged past Bernat Jaume 3-2 to reach the third round of a Platinum event for the first time.
Results
Patrick Rooney (ENG) bt Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) 3-0: 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 (33m)
[8] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Rui Soares (POR) 3-1: 11-5, 12-14, 11-7, 11-8 (64m)
Auguste Dussourd (FRA) bt Bernat Jaume (ESP) 3-2: 11-7, 4-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6 (74m)
Hesham Comes From Behind To Beat El Hammamy
World No.9 Mazen Hesham came from behind to defeat World No.46 Karim El Hammamy to earn a last 16 place.
El Hammamy went ahead after taking the first game 11-8, but Hesham moved into a 2-1 advantage when was victorious in games two and three, winning them 11-7 and 11-2.
Hesham, who arrived at Hong Kong having won the Malaysia Open, secured his place in the third round when he won game four 11-8.
“It can be difficult to back up after a big win for me in Malaysia. The first game, he was playing well and he’s been struggling lately, however he made it really tough for me,” said Hesham afterwards.
“I had to find a way and be more patient. I’m really happy to be through after a really tough match.
“I come into this (tournament) with confidence, I haven’t won anything for a long time and it was a great week for me. It would be even better for me if I can back up here and do well.”
Ivan Yues is also through to the last 16 for the first time at a Platinum event after overcoming former World No.3 Omar Mosaad.
Iker Pajares Bernabeu joins them having comfortably seen off Juan Camilo Vargas.
Results
[6] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (52m)
Ivan Yuen (MAS) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 3-1: 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5 (49m)
Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) bt Juan Camilo Vargas (COL) 3-0: 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (39m)
Perry Edges Past Shiha
World No.8 Sarah-Jane Perry edged past World No.57 Jana Shiha to book her place in the third round.
The England No.1 fell behind after losing game one 11-5, but drew level after taking game two 11-3.
Shiha restored her lead when she took the third 12-10, but it was Perry who came out on top in games four and five to advance to the next round.
“Jana’s a really tough opponent. I’ve not played her before but I’ve seen her play a few times now and seen some of her results. She’s had some close matches with some of the top 10 and some good wins against some top 20 players, so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Perry.
“I didn’t start how I wanted to, she started really well. I didn’t panic and I settled a bit in the second game and the third was a bit up and down. I thought I was unlucky not to win the third actually, but that gave me a bit of confidence going in the fourth.
“I managed to find some quality tight drives at the right point to force a few errors from her. In the fifth it managed to break the resistance a bit and it settled. I think that was the experience telling there, I’ve not had the best trip so far, I’ve been away for three weeks, but I feel like I’m getting better day by day.
“Looking forward to Thursday playing against one of my best friends Lisa Aitken – it’s hard to play against your friends but hopefully I can play well and it’s a good match.”
Katie Malliff continues her strong run in the Hong Kong Open after taking down Hana Moataz 3-2, while Lisa Aitken chalked up a 3-0 win over Nour Aboulmakarim.
Results
[7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Jana Shiha (EGY) 3-2: 5-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-8, 11-1 (49m)
Katie Malliff (ENG) bt Hana Moataz (EGY) 3-2: 11-4, 6-11, 10-12, 16-14, 11-7 (65m)
Lisa Aitken (SCO) bt Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 (34m)
Adel Defeats Egyptian Compatriot Hany
World No.39 Yathreb Adel has knocked World No.14 Salma Hany out of the Hong Kong Open after a 3-1 win over her Egyptian compatriot.
Hany went in front for the only time during the match when she claimed the first game 11-4, but Adel triumphed in the remaining three games 14-12, 11-6 and 11-5 to dump her fellow Egyptian out at the second round.
Adel will face Nele Gillis in the third round on Thursday, and the Belgian defeated Scotland’s Georgia Adderley on court 7 to advance.
Afterwards, Adel said: “I’m very happy to get one of these wins against her (Salma Hany). She’s a very dangerous player and we’ve been good friends and played against each other many times since juniors and now on the professional circuit.
“I had to focus and make sure my shots are more tight, but I’m very happy and pleased and hopefully I can keep up these performances in the next round.
“It’s been a while since I’ve got a good result, so it’s given me confidence and getting on court now and enjoying it as much as I can. If I keep putting in the work then I’m sure the results will come.”
Meanwhile home favourite Tsz-Wing Tong recorded a straight sets win against Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern to reach the last 16.
Results
Yathreb Adel (EGY) bt [8] Salma Hany (EGY) 3-1: 4-11, 14-12, 11-6, 11-5 (45m)
Tsz-Wing Tong (HKG) bt Low Wee Wern (MAS) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 (34m)
Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Georgia Adderley (SCO) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (43m)
Crouin Overcomes Wall For Last 16 Spot
Victor Crouin overcame Nick Wall to progress to the last 16 of the tournament following a 3-1 triumph.
Crouin, who’s the No.7 seed for the tournament, started strongly with an impressive 11-1 win in the first before Wall charged back in the second to win 11-5.
But Crouin, who lost to Wall in their last meeting at the British Open back in March, won game three 11-8 and the fourth 11-4 to move through to the last 16 where he will face Aly Abou Eleinen on Thursday.
“I’m happy to get the win because last time we played (against Nick Wall) he won the match at the British Open, so I was looking to get my revenge today,” said the French No.1.
“There was the psychological barrier going to into the match as I knew he won the last time we played.
“He’s a leftie, and usually I play well against them but with him it’s quite hard because he wants to finish the rally pretty quickly and it’s tough when you need to get rhythm. But I’m happy to win in three games.”
Crouin’s opponent Abou Eleinen also won 3-1 in round two, beating Faraz Khan, while Yahya Elnawasany got the better of Nicholas Mueller 3-1.
Results
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Nick Wall (ENG) 3-1: 11-1, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4 (40m)
Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 3-1: 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-4 (37m)
Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt Faraz Khan (USA) 3-1: 12-10, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7 (50m)
ElShorbagy Sees Off Steinmann
Marwan ElShorbagy sailed into the third round of the Hong Kong Open as he beat Dimitri Steinmann in straight sets.
The Egyptian was made to work for the first game victory, a 20-minute battle with Steinmann which ended with ElShorbagy winning 11-9.
ElShorbagy found his rhythm after as he took the second 11-7 before closing out the win with an 11-9 triumph in the third, which tees up a last 16 tie with Sebastien Bonmalais.
“Very happy, very pleased to win in three against Dimitri (Steinmann). He’s been playing very well recently and had a lot of good results.
“We’ve trained together in the summer, so we know what to expect from each other.
“I’m happy with my performance, I thought I was in control for most points of the match and I’m just happy to win in three games and looking forward to my day off tomorrow.”
Tsz Kwan Lau reached the third round for the first time at a Platinum event as he saw off Greg Lobban 3-2, while ElShorbagy’s opponent on Thursday Bonmalais edged past Shahjahan Khan 3-2.
Results
[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 (49m)
Tsz Kwan Lau (HKG) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-2: 7-11, 11-8, 13-11, 8-11, 11-4 (61m)
Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 3-2: 11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 6-11, 11-6 (74m)
