Canary Wharf Classic QFs: Asal Downs Masotti In Straight Games

World No.1 Mostafa Asal improved his incredible record in best-of-three matches, as he got the better of France’s Baptiste Masotti in straight games to reach the semi-finals of the GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Classic.

Asal came in with a 75% win rate in the format, while Masotti had already gotten the better of the Egyptian duo of Youssef Soliman and Marwan ElShorbagy this week, beating the World No.6 in the second round despite going a game down. He started his third match of the week strongly, and the tie was played at a high pace throughout.

A couple of crucial errors late on allowed Asal to take the first game, though, and in the second, the World No.1 was at his brilliant best. The Egyptian went on to take the second 11-4 to secure victory and to move through to yet another semi-final on Tour this year.

“He [Baptiste Masotti] is an amazing player. He’s one of the toughest players you can play. He’s in form and in form this tournament, which is amazing to see him playing like this. My brother [Marwan Asal] my younger brother, [loves him] he’s always watching his matches, watching his nicks. I told him, inside the court after we finished, my brother is your number one fan!” Asal said.

“I hate best of 3, outside the court, but then I realised I won the World Tour Finals two times… best of 3 and I won Grasshopper when it was best of 3. So I love the best of 3!

“2-1, in 90 minutes or something Joel Makin is an in form player he beat Diego [Elias]. It’s going to be a huge battle tomorrow. At the end of the day, I’m playing match by match. When I reached World No.1, I was so happy that I did. Even if I have it for only one day.

“I always believe that God has got plans and thank God that he gave World Number 1. There are lots of problems happening behind the scenes. You may drop, but I’m mentally strong and I’m happy that I’m moving forward playing my squash.”

Result:
[1] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Baptiste Masotti (FRA) 2-0: 11-8, 11-4 (29m)