Bremer Schlüssel SFs: Enriquez Stages Stunning Fightback; Elkabbani Beats Housemate Elshafei

Alejandro Enriquez saved two match balls as he staged a sensational fightback to reach the Bremer Schlüssel final, where he will play top seed Ibrahim Elkabbani. 

Enriquez had needed all five games to get past Khaled Labib in the quarter-finals, and looked as though he was perhaps feeling the effects of that encounter 24 hours later, as he dropped the first two games of his semi-final clash with Mazen Gamal. 

Both games were relatively one-sided, with Gamal losing only 10 points in total, but the Guatemalan finally found a foothold in game three, going toe-to-toe with the experienced Egyptian throughout. 

The game was highlighted by an outrageous behind-the-back winner into the nick from Gamal, who had victory within his grasp at 10-9 up having been 9-7 down, but he was unable to convert. 

The first rally at 10-9 ended in a yes-let, as Enriquez tripped over his opponent, while the second saw Gamal find the tin with a backhand drive. 

Another backhand into the tin from Gamal – this time on a boast – handed Enriquez the game, but he found himself in the exact same position in game four, facing a match ball at 10-9 down. 

This time, Gamal thought he’d won it on a stroke, as he collided into his opponent’s back when surging forward to reach a forehand drop, but referee Nicolas Barbeau disagreed, signalling a let.

As he had done in game three, Enriquez then reeled off three points in a row to win the tiebreak 12-10 and came out firing in the decider, establishing a 6-2 lead. 

By this stage of proceedings, contact and collisions between the players had become frequent, with referee Barbeau involved at almost every turn. 

The court cleaners were also busy wiping sweat away as the players continued to hit the floor, including at 8-3, when a diving Enriquez caught Gamal’s leg, causing both players to go down. 

The No.2 seed stayed down clutching his leg in obvious pain, taking an injury break in the minutes that followed. 

He returned to court 8-4 down – having won the point when the collision occurred – but lifted a backhand out on the following rally, before smashing the ball against the back wall in frustration. 

Referee Barbeau awarded a conduct stroke – likely due to the fact Enriquez was so close to where the ball was hit – to bring up match ball, and a backhand into the tin from Gamal clinched victory for his opponent. 

Speaking after the match, Enriquez said: “A very strong match with a very strong player. 

“I had a hard time getting into the game at the beginning and I tried my best not to get into his game. I felt very well physically and mentally with an opponent like that, and I always tried not to get into his game. 

“I feel very happy with the result. Thanks to the National Squash Association of Guatemala that is supporting me, and to all the people here in Germany that are supporting me, and from Guatemala, from everywhere, thank you very much. We will go for the final tomorrow.” 

The Guatemalan will now have his sights set on clinching a second successive title, in what is his first ever PSA Tour event outside of the Americas, but standing in his way will be top seed Elkabbani. 

The 21-year-old was playing third seed Yassin Elshafei, who he lives with in Cairo, as well as playing alongside him for the Bremen squash club in the German Bundesliga. 

Both players posed for a photo with promoter Wilhelm Eickworth prior to play, both sporting Bremen squash club T-shirts, and both were keen to put on a show in front of a knowledgeable crowd.

There was little to split them early on as the two players shared the first 14 points evenly, but it was Elkabbani who ultimately came out on top of game one, driving a backhand down the line which Elshafei was unable to return on game ball. 

That point capped a run of four straight points for Elkabbani to move him from 8-7 down to 11-7 up, and that shift in momentum was carried into game two, which he wrapped up in only 10 minutes. 

Key to the 21-year-old’s success throughout the first two games had been his consistency of length, something that continued throughout game three, as he kept the ball tight and gave little away. 

A trio of yes-lets at 7-5 kept the contest alive, but Elkabbani would not have to wait long for victory, albeit only after a frantic 36-shot rally on match ball at 10-5.

The Egyptian is now one win away from maintaining his 100% record in 15k events, having won the previous two tournaments he’s played this this level. 

Speaking after his win, he was pleased with his performance, despite having to do it against such a good friend. 

“Today I started feeling my game again,” he said. 

“The last two days I wasn’t playing my best squash here. That court, it has its own atmosphere, it’s so hot, the ball is so bouncy, but today I’m grateful I found my length, on both sides and in the two corners at the front. So yeah, I’m happy with my performance. 

“Yassin is one of my closest friends on Tour. We’re actually living with each other back in Cairo, so it was a cheeky match for me, I don’t like these kind of battles but I’m happy I’m through in three. 

“No.15 I think is my lucky number. This is my third 15k tournament I’m playing and I hope it’s my third 15k title.” 

The final of the Bremer Schlüssel takes place at 3pm local time (2pm BST) on Saturday, July 26, streaming live on the SQUASHTV Live Streaming YouTube channel. 

Results: 
[1] Ibrahim Elkabbani (EGY) bt [3] Yassin Elshafei (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 (40m) 
[4] Alejandro Enriquez (GUA) bt [2] Mazen Gamal (EGY) 3-2: 4-11, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10, 11-4 (93m)