MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open: Day 3 – Player Reaction

The MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open continues today at the OCBC Arena in Singapore and we’ll have reports and reaction from the second round of the PSA World Tour Gold level tournament right here.

The second round of the competition comes to its conclusion on day three, with eight more seeded players making their bows at the OCBC Arena.

Recent New Zealand Open champion Joelle King will open up the day’s play as she takes on Commonwealth Games Silver medalist Hollie Naughton from Canada in the opening match. England’s Patrick Rooney and Egypt’s Mostafa Asal will then be the first men’s match of the day. You can watch both of these matches live and free on our Facebook, TikTok and YouTube pages.

Later on in the day, the English duo of Sarah-Jane Perry and Georgina Kennedy will both be in action. Perry will take on Welsh No.2 Emily Whitlock, while Kennedy will do battle with the USA’s Sabrina Sobhy. The last match of the day will see Qatari No.1 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi, now at a career-high of World No.22, taking on Egypt’s Mazen Hesham for a place in the last eight.

You can watch all the action from the glass court on SQUASHTV, while live scoring from both courts is available here.

For updates and behind the scenes content, head over to our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok channels.

Order of Play
(All times are local GMT+8)

King Dispatches Naughton

Just four days after winning the Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open, World No.5 Joelle King continued her great form to secure a commanding second round win over Canadian Hollie Naughton in Singapore.

The Kiwi came into the tournament as the No.2 seed, and after receiving a bye through the opening day’s action, she took on the Canadian in the first match of Thursday’s play.

King was in control throughout the contest, dropping just 12 points en route to the victory. She had spells in each game where she went on runs of points, and that was too much for Naughton to handle. The World No.5 will now face either Tinne Gilis or Salma Hany in the next round.

“It is always difficult coming off an event and not having much turnaround. I think, we have seen a number of players struggle in this event,” King explained.

“Hollie came from the same event so we were in the same boat. I just wanted to come out and give a good performance, win or lose. Today, I felt like I was playing well so I am very happy to come away with a 3-0 victory.

“It’s the first time I have played on this court, along with everyone else. Obviously, it is very hot outside in Singapore, but the conditions are perfect here. I like a dead court, but it is still warm. For my first run out, I can’t ask for better!”

Result
[2] Joelle King (NZL) bt Hollie Naughton (CAN) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 (27m)

Asal Too Strong For Rooney

World No.4 Mostafa Asal showed his class in his opening match of the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open, defeating England’s Patrick Rooney to book his spot in the quarter finals.

The Englishman started strongly in all three games, but Asal was able to steady the ship each time. Rooney showed glimpses of his abilities, but there was just a few too many errors from the World No.23 overall.

Meanwhile, Asal’s power game shone through, and he fought back in each of the three games to take a solid victory, moving through to the last eight at the OCBC Arena, where he will now face either France’s Victor Crouin or Gregoire Marche.

“It was a tough one! Thanks to the crowd for coming today, it is the early shift,” Asal said.

“I am happy to be here, my first time in Singapore. I want to thank everyone who supported us to make this amazing tournament. It is an amazing crowd, since day one here!

“It was an amazing match today. I think the jet lag is killing us all together. Patrick is an amazing player. Clean, fair player, so I want to thank him for that, this is the way we want to play with free-flowing squash. I’m now looking forward to my next match!”

Result
[2] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-9 (37m)

Gilis Fights Through Against Hany

Belgium’s World No.12 Tinne Gilis booked her spot in the quarter finals at the OCBC Arena with a straight games victory over Egypt’s Salma Hany.

The Belgian fell behind in each of the three games, with Hany starting the stronger of the pair. She led 5-1 and 5-2, respectively, in the opening two games, but Gilis showed her qualities and her fighting spirit to come back.

Her movement was exceptional throughout the contest, as she she chased down every ball. That seemed to irritate Hany, who made errors at crucial times, allowing Gilis to make her move into the last eight of the Gold level tournament.

“I mean, it was a tough match for sure. It is the first time I have ever played Salma, so it is nice to play someone new! She has been playing good squash and she is an attacking player so I knew I had to be ready to go and run around from the beginning, so I am very pleased I managed to win this one in three today,” Gilis admitted.

“As soon as I had the opportunity, I tried to go for it [play the ball in short], because I like to hit the shots to the front. That was definitely my gameplan, but the court is so dead, so I had to make sure I hit my targets first before I did that, otherwise I would have been under pressure for the whole time as well.

“It [backhand volley drop] is one of my favourite shots to play, so maybe that was why it worked pretty well today!”

Result
[8] Tinne Gilis (BEL) bt Salma Hany (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (35m)

Crouin Downs Compatriot Marche

In the last match of the afternoon session on day three, Victor Crouin got the better of Gregoire Marche in the all-French battle at the OCBC Arena.

A crucial first game went the way of the World No.10, despite him being 7-2 down in the early stages. Crouin then found his lines, and employed good tactics to move in front in the game, eventually taking it 11-9.

Marche fought back, though, and the well-timed use of cross-court kills worked to his advantage, and he was able to come through to level the match. The third was then tight to 5-5, before Crouin went on a run of six straight points, winning the game and moving into the lead once again.

That form continued into the fourth game, where the French No.1 won the first seven points. Marche then tweaked something in his leg, requiring a three-minute self-inflicted injury break, but he was unable to continue at his best. He came back on to court, but Crouin reeled off the next four points to set up a clash with World No.4 Mostafa Asal on Friday afternoon.

“Not sure it was our best performance today, for both of us. I think I was feeling a bit stressed today. I have grown up watching Gregoire, and then training with him in the South of France, so we know each other very well,” Crouin said.

“I have gone up the ranking and reached the national No.1 spot in the rankings, but it is never forever and I need to prove it every time I step on court. I am glad I got my first way against Greg, but not the way I wanted for sure.

“To be honest, the hard part is that I have played on this court. It took me a few minutes, a few rallies, to get into the game. The first game was crucial. Getting that first game 11-9 after being 7-2 down was crucial for the confidence. But to answer your question, I was trying to get the ball tight to the side walls so he couldn’t use the volley and use the attacking shots. Once I had my accuracy to the back, I was trying to use my drops from the middle.”

Result
[8] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-1: 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2 (58m)

Perry Beats Whitlock In All-British Clash In Singapore

England’s Sarah-Jane Perry overcame fellow Brit Emily Whitlock in the first match of the evenings session on day three at the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open.

Wales No.2 Whitlock started in great style and took the game to Perry from the very start of the match. Loose balls from the Englishwoman were being picked off with fantastic winners from Whitlock and the lower ranked player, deservingly, took the first game 11-8.

Perry started to settle in the second game, but the short, sharp rallies were favouring both players allowing the physicality to stay absent in the match and the squash and shots taking centre stage. Perry managed to hang on well in the second game despite more Whitlock pressure and took the game 11-9.

As the score reached 5-5 in the third game, errors started to come from the racket of Whitlock as she started to force opportunities which weren’t there, which was either hitting the tin or feeding Perry. The Englishwoman recognised this and capitalised fully to take the next two games 11-7, 11-8 to move into the quarter finals.

“Just pleased to get through that match,” said Perry after her win.

“Emily is always a tough opponent. Every opponent at this level Is really tough. Every win is a good day.

I just tried to get settled, Emily settled quicker than I did and found her marks on the court, I was leaving the ball around the middle a lot more than I wanted and she’s lethal when the ball is there so I had to improve.”

Result:

[4] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Emily Whitlock (WAL) 3-1: 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 (42m)

U.S. Open Champion Elias Moves Into Quater Finals

U.S. Open Champion Diego Elias has confidently booked his place in the quarter finals of the MARIGOLD Singapore Squash Open after beating young Egyptian Moustafa El Sirty in three difficult games.

The ‘Peruvian Puma’ seemed to be struggling to find his length in the match and got involved in some traffic around the middle of the court with both players looking to take their space. This seemed to eat more into the mind of the Egyptian as his error count was a lot higher than his opponents.

Elias set up a 2-0 lead and looked sure to be closing the match out in three, but back came the Egyptian. El Sirty fired off amazing winners and dominated the middle of the court, using his size and strength to keep Elias pinned behind him. El Sirty led 9-4 in the third game but momentarily lost concentration which opened the door for the Peruvian. Elias stayed solid, whereas El Sirty seemed to be magnetised to the tin. Severl errors came from the Egyptian’s racket which took the No.3 seed to match ball at 10-9. He converted at the first time of asking to steal the game and take the match.

“I’m very happy to be here, it’s a tough court and my first time here so it’s a bit dead so it was hard to find my shots but I’m happy to win. That third was really close and I was down the whole time so very happy to win that,” said Elias.

I started really bad, I gave him so many easy points, that third should have been way easier so I’m just happy I came back and won.”

Result:

[3] Diego Elias (PER) bt Moustafa El Sirty (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 (38m)

Sobhy Stays Strong To Beast Struggling Kennedy

USA’s Sabrina Sobhy has produced the only upset on day three so far as she’s beaten a physically struggling Georgina Kennedy to reach the Gold event quarter finals in Singapore.

A competitive first game featured some long, intense rallies with both players looking to work the attacking opportunity by finding a solid, consistent length at the back of the court. Sobhy managed to pull ahead in the crucial stages to take the opening game 11-8.

Kennedy has been struggling recently with injury problems and they don’t seem to have deterred the England No.2. With the No.7 seed evidently struggling, Sobhy powered on and continued to move the ball into space to test the movement of Kennedy. The end came quickly for Kennedy as the American moved through the gears to win both second and third games 11-4 to upset the seedings and reach the last 8.

“Gina is one of my best friends on tour, she has been so inspiring, we played in college together and I’ve seen her rise up throughout the rankings beating top players and knowing that she has been my teammate and friend for so many years, she’s a huge inspiration, said Sobhy.

“I knew it would be a tough one, obviously Gina is hurting physically, and I only wish her the best to get back on tour, the tour needs her, she’s such a strong presence and without her, it feels a little empty so this was not a great feeling of a win. Obviously, I’m pleased to win but you never want to win when someone is injured so I feel for her.

I feel good. I didn’t anticipate this. I was due to fly out tomorrow so I’ll have to change this. I’ve been away for over a month now and I’ve been battling this feeling of wanting to go home but also wanting to compete and play my best squash so I guess I’m sticking around for at least another day.”

Result:

Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt [7] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (23m)

Hesham Closes Out Day Three With A Win Over Al Tamimi

Egypt’s Mazen Hesham closed out day three with a straight games win over Qatar’s Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi to set up a quarter final match up with No.3 seed Diego Elias.

The match was entertaining throughout with both players looking to impose their ultra-attacking styles on the match. Hesham was able to stay in front of Al Tamimi in the first two games and moved the Qatari into the front corners and gave him no opportunity to attack.

After securing a 2-0 lead, Hesham found himself at the mercy of some outrageous winners from Al Tamimi. The World No.22 found a better length and stepped in front off the Egyptian to fire off devastating winners. Hesham hung tough however and found a way to tighten up and nullify the Al Tamimi weapons to take the game 11-9 and reach the quarter finals.

“It was really entertaining, I think we’re two of the most entertaining players on tour, it’s always tough playing him, he twists and turns you so I had to stay focused and try to absorb what I could,” said Hesham.

“At the end of the third he started to find more winners so I had to be more careful because he hit some shots when I was 7-4 up and they didn’t go my way so I had to keep it tight and it paid off. We had a long rally at 9-9 then I had a good squeeze on the backhand side.

“It’s very tough, I played Diego [Elias] a few times over the years, we’re good friends off court and I think it will be a good one for the crowd and a tough one for us.”

Result:

[7] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)

[7] Mazen Hesham (EGY) bt Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 3-0: 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)