Optasia Championships 2024 – Day Three Evening Session

In the final second round matches, World No.1 Ali Farag defeated Switzerland’s Dimitri Steinmann in a thrilling 59-minute encounter that saw two tie breaks and a gripping conclusion in which the ‘Jet’ made three dives.

Perry Progresses to the Quarter-Finals

The evening session started with an entertaining four-game victory for home favourite Sarah-Jane Perry in her first-ever meeting with Switzerland’s Cindy Merlo, who came through a tough all-European Round One match with Saskia Beinhard to reach this stage.

No.2 seed Perry was catching her opponent out with boasts and deceptions from the start, and looked in command as she took the opening game 11-5. She appeared to be in command in the next game too, but the Swiss found deceptive winners of her own to claw back 2-5 and 5-8 down to level the match 12-10.

Perry soon settled into the third though, and at 5-1 looked once more like running away with it. It wasn’t quite that straightforward, as Merlo closed the gap, but couldn’t quite get back on terms.

Back in the lead, Perry continued to look the stronger as she closed out the fourth in 32 minutes to end a match that was thoroughly enjoyed by players and crowd alike.

“I think I started well and found my areas in the first game and then whoever you playing are going to try and do something different in the second game, ” said Perry after the match. “I think the ball died off a bit, Cindy hit some absolute peaches and then got a bit of confidence herself and cutting my balls off that were a bit shorter.

“It was a really enjoyable game to play. Cindy and I haven’t actually played before, but it was really enjoyable and she’s an absolutely quality ball striker.”

Farag Finishes Steinmann in Dramatic Clash

Top seed and 2022 champion Ali Farag moved through to the quarter-finals with a straight-game win over Switzerland’s Dimitri Steinmann that was anything but straightforward, with everyone at The Wimbledon Club wondering how Steinmann hadn’t taken a game – he certainly deserved one, at least.

The first game was a fast-paced high-quality affair with neither player able to break free. Steinmann was the first to reach game ball, urging the crowd on, but Farag drew level, bringing about a tie-break in which both had game ball chances before Farag finally took the lead 16-14 after 24 minutes – longer than two of today’s other matches.

There was no let up in intensity in the second as Steinmann continued to hunt down Farag’s shots, but the World No.1 found enough to stay ahead and doubled his advantage 11-8.

That was far from the end of it though, as Steinmann continued to put in the work and with the crowd egging him on opened up an 7-0 lead. Farag started to work his way back in to the game, working Steinmann to all corners and reduced the deficit to 8-9.

The final few points were dramatic with Steinmann taking to the air on several occasions, once clattering himself painfully against the sidewall, but all to no avail as Farag finished the match 11-8 in 59 minutes.

“It was enjoyable,” said Farag after the match. “It was my first hit on the court so it was really tough to get the hang of it. The ball actually dies quite a bit in the back corners. I came here to watch how the court plays and I felt like it was a lot more lively than it was today. That court my offguard a little bit.

“There wasn’t much in it. Thankfully I was able to sneak the first few otherwise I would’ve been in a bit of trouble.

“Just very pleased. The Wimbledon crowd is amazing. We don’t often go to tournaments where it’s a full house from the very first day so thank you.”

Hutton Fights Past Soini

British National Champion Jasmine Hutton delivered a third English winner of the day as she outpaced Finland’s Emilia Soini in three well-contested games.

No.6 seed made full use of her holds and powerful drives, and although the Finn was able to stay in touch with some delicate winners of her own, there was no stopping a determined Hutton who closed out the match in just under half an hour.

“I’m feeling really grateful to be at a tournament,” said Hutton after the match. “Two weeks ago I ruptured one of the ligaments in my ankle at the Windy City Open so I’m really glad to be here.

“Emilia’s a really good player. She’s so attacking and she’s got such a good game for a glass court so I knew it was going to be really challenging today mentally as well as physically. I’m not the happiest with my movement right now, but I know it’s going to get better every day, so yeah I’m pretty happy with today.”

ElShorbagy Defeated El Hammamy To Conclude Round Two

The final match of the day was, as many of today’s matches, a case of close but not quite for the lower seeded player.

Seventh seed Marwan ElShorbagy joined his brother Mohamed in the quarters with a straight games win over Karim El Hammamy – Marwan’s successor as World Junior Champion.

ElShorbagy looked comfortable in the opening game, but El Hammamy was on level terms in the later stages of the second and third games, only for ElShorbagy to pull out the final few points needed on both occasions.

“I’m loving it,” said ElShorbagy after the match. “I’ve never done really well here, I feel like I want to do well this year. I love playing here, I love the club.”

For updates on the Optasia Championships, follow the PSA on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Results: Optasia Championships 2024 Day Three (RD2) Evening Session
[2] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Cindy Merlo (SUI) 3-1: 11-5, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5 (32m)
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Dimitri Steinmann (SUI) 3-0: 16-14, 11-8, 13-11 (59m)
[6] Jasmine Hutton (ENG) bt Emilia Soini (FIN) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (29m)
[7] Marwan Elshorbagy (ENG) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 (49m)