Paris Squash 2024 – Day Three: Evening Roundup

Evening action got underway at the Paris Squash 2024 at 6:30 (GMT+2) with four more quarter final spots up for grabs at the first Platinum event of the new PSA Squash Tour season.

El Hammamy Comes Through Tough Hutton Test

In the opening match of the day’s play, No.3 seed Hania El Hammamy was forced to find her A game as she downed England No.3 Jasmine Hutton in four games to move through to the quarter finals in Paris.

Hutton came out the blocks with fierce intensity, determined to produce a better performance than the meeting with El Hammamy just last week at the CIB Egyptian Open. The Englishwoman was finding a superb length, pushing the No.3 seed deep into the back corners before finding severe winners at the front.

After losing the opening game 11-5, the World No.3 responded in true champion style. El Hammamy reduced her error count to 0 and started to find winners of her own to completely turn the tide of the match. The second and third games were both emphatically won by El Hammamy 11-2 to take the lead in the tie.

Hutton responded in great fashion after falling behind, racing to a 5-2 lead in the fourth and looking like a fifth game was on the way. El Hammamy regained concentration from this point and stormed through the gears to win the next eight points, earning five match balls. Hutton showed her character once again to mount a comeback and force a tiebreak. El Hammamy managed to navigate the tiebreak expertly and take it 13-11 to win in four games.

Result:
[3] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 3-1: 5-11, 11-2, 11-2, 13-11 (49m)

Asal Overcomes Quality Cardenas Performance To Reach QFs

Mostafa Asal overcame a strong challenge from Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas to secure a 3-0 victory at the Paris Squash 2024. Cardenas, the World No.20, played one of his best matches against a top opponent, pushing Asal in all three games with his aggressive play and relentless retrieving. Cardenas matched Asal’s pace and took the fight to the Egyptian, forcing him into longer rallies and displaying his ability to challenge the world’s elite.

Despite Cardenas’ spirited performance, Asal’s clinical touch at the front of the court ultimately proved decisive. Whenever Cardenas gave him any space, Asal capitalized with pinpoint accuracy, delivering lethal drop shots and volley winners that Cardenas struggled to counter. The first two games were competitive, but Asal’s superior skills under pressure allowed him to edge them 11-8 and 11-9. The Mexican had his chances but couldn’t quite convert key points against Asal’s consistent shot-making.

In the final game, Asal tightened his grip on the match, playing more freely and cutting off Cardenas’ attacks before they could build. His dominance at the front court, combined with his court coverage, allowed him to take the third game 11-6. While Cardenas left a strong impression with his fearless play, Asal’s experience and clinical finishing were the defining factors in his straight-game victory, sending him into the next round with confidence.

Result:
[3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 (52m)

Aboelkheir Produces Dazzling Display To Down No.6 Seed Kennedy

Egypt’s Fayrouz Aboelheir secured an exciting 3-2 victory over England’s Georgina Kennedy in a thrilling contest in the final women’s match of the day. The World No.16 started in spectacular fashion, dominating the front of the court with incredible winners to take the first two games. Aboelheir’s attacking play was relentless, and her finishing at the front left had Kennedy chasing the match.

However, in true Georgina Kennedy fashion, the English player fought back in the third and fourth games, using her renowned physicality and endurance to shift the momentum. Kennedy’s relentless pace and powerful retrieving pushed Aboelkheir into longer rallies, forcing errors and sapping the Egyptian’s energy. Kennedy too the third and fourth games both in tiebreaks to level the match at 2-2, setting up a dramatic decider.

In the fifth game, Aboelkheir regained her composure and rediscovered her attacking touch. She returned to her top form, finding key winners at the front of the court to close out the match 11-6. Kennedy fought valiantly, but Aboelkheir’s shot-making in crucial moments proved too much to handle. She’ll take on No.3 seed Hania El Hammamy in the quarter finals on Thursday.

Result: 
Fayrouz Aboelkheir (EGY) bt [6] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-2: 15-13, 12-10, 12-14, 10-12, 11-6 (66m)

Mazen Hesham Closes Round Two With Dominant Display

Mazen Hesham closed out the second round of the Paris Squash 2024 in style with a skillful 3-0 victory over compatriot Mohamed El Sherbini at the iconic Cirque d’Hiver. The all-Egyptian clash was a display of remarkable shot-making and court craft, with Hesham’s creativity and flair setting the tone from the start. He took the first game 11-8, dazzling the crowd with his ability to produce winners from seemingly impossible angles, while El Sherbini struggled to find a way to disrupt Hesham’s rhythm.

El Sherbini, tried his best to find a way to get ahead of Hesham on both the court and the scoreboard but found stringing rallies together a challenge due to the randomness and accuracy of the No.5 seed’s squash. Hesham rattled through the winners to once again win 11-8 and place one foot in the quarter finals.

Hesham continued to control in the third game, using his trademark flair and attacking intent to dictate play. He outmaneuvered El Sherbini with clever drop shots and volleys, winning the third 11-5 to seal the match. With this victory, Hesham advances to the quarter finals where he’ll face Mostafa Asal.

Result:
[5] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 (36m)

The evening session of day three gets underway at 18:30 (GMT+2) from Cirque d’Hiver Bouglione and can be watched live on SQUASHTV. For more information on Paris Squash 2024, follow the PSA on X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and TikTok.