El Gouna Day Five: Elias Downs Fatigued Pajares

World No.1 Diego Elias is through to the semis of the El Gouna International after beating Spain’s Iker Pajares Bernabeu in straight games.

The Peruvian is aiming to stay at the summit of the World Rankings following the last Platinum event of the season. His run through to this point included a win over Karim Abdel Gawad, and he continued that with a three-game win over the Spanish No.1 in the last eight.

The first game was a struggle, more than 20 minutes long in the heat and humidity of the Egyptian resort. Elias was able to come through it 11-9, and the length of the game seems to sap all the energy from Pajares. The Spaniard could only manage four more points, as the Peruvian came through to win the contest.

“It is a quarter final so there is always nerves. I am just happy I won that first game, I think it was very important. It is tough conditions so it is hard to get used to it, and it is even hard to practice in the morning. It is so hot, so coming in straight into the matches, but I am happy I won the first game and then the rest of the match,” Elias said.

“I just came in to my game, the way I play. With these conditions, it was really hard. The ball was bouncing a lot, so I changed my game a little bit. I hit a lot of lobs, there was no point in hitting the ball hard because it was coming all the way back to the ’T’. Happy with the way I changed my gameplan, and I am happy to be in the semi-finals.

“I guess this is the way I have played my whole life. I am just very relaxed, I just always try and enjoy every time I step on to court. I am always happy, happy to be back on court, and I think that is the most important to do, to just enjoy the game.

“They are both playing amazing squash. Ali [Farag] won the last three tournaments, he is in great form so I hope he is tired! Victor [Crouin], we had a crazy match at the British Open. It will be tough with either of them!”

Result:
[1] Diego Elias (PER) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 3-0: 11-9, 11-2, 11-2 (39m)