Elias eases past Dessouky to set up Asal clash

The match marked the eighth time that Peru’s Diego Elias and Egypt’s Fares Dessouky have met, with the ‘Peruvian Puma’ winning five of those occasions, most recently in the 2022 Motor City Open.

The first game was filled with high quality squash. The pair both played with attacking intent, which left an exhibition feel as they both went for outrageous winners.

Elias kept control despite Dessouky’s flair, and covered the Egyptian’s shots to gain the advantage on the scoreboard and take a game lead, winning 11-9.

Elias maintained the consistency of the first game, but Dessouky couldn’t keep up with his Peruvian opponent as cracks began to show, making costly errors which the World No.2 exploited. Elias stayed calm and continued to a comfortable 11-4 win.

Dessouky looked more competitive in the third game, but the mistakes remained and seperated him from the No.2 seed as Elias sped to a quarter final victory against the former World No.7 to set up a quarter final clash with Mostafa Asal.

After the match, Elias spoke on the challenge facing the Egyptian can be.

“I’m really happy to get that first game because once Fares [Dessouky] gets confident he’s really tough so I’m happy with that.

“[Tomorrow’s] going to be tough. Facing Asal is always really tough so I just have have to work, recover and get ready for a tough match.”

Result:
[2] Diego Elias (PER) bt [8] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 (44m)