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Paris Squash 2023 Day Three: Player Reaction
We’re into Round Three of the Paris Squash 2023, with eight matches to come from the glass court at the Palais de Tokyo.
Play begins at 12:00 (GMT+2) in the French capital with reports and reaction from all eight matches below.
You can watch all the matches live on SQUASHTV, with Rachel Arnold against Joelle King opening today’s play. French No.1 Victor Crouin closes the action this evening when he faces Adrian Waller.
Order of Play
King Downs Arnold in Three
In the first match of the day, Joelle King secured her place in the quarter-finals of the Paris Squash 2023 following a 3-0 win against Rachel Arnold.
It was the pair’s first-ever meeting on the PSA World Tour, and the opening game saw King make a crucial error at game ball to force a tiebreak. The New Zealand No.1 then saved a game ball herself when Arnold was in the driving seat to take the first, as King clinched the game 13-11 to go one up.
King charged into a 6-1 lead in the second and Arnold once again responded well to falling behind as she pulled it back to 9-9. A mistake from King handed Arnold a golden chance to draw level, but she squandered the game ball opportunity by hitting the tin.
World No.4 King converted game ball to double her advantage, and sealed the match with a comprehensive 11-2 victory in the third.
“I was quite nervous coming into today. It’s not very often you get to play someone new at a Platinum event and I was really struggling to read her [Rachel Arnold] in the first two games,” King said on court afterwards.
“I was playing far too fast, which is what she loves, and I think in the third I managed to calm down and I started to hit my targets which got me into a good position.
“To beat Jasmine [Hutton] yesterday, I knew she was going to be a tough opponent and I’m very happy to win in three.”
Result
[4] Joelle King (NZL) bt Rachel Arnold (MAS) 3-0: 13-11, 15-13, 11-2 (36m)
Momen Dispatches Cardenas In Straight Games
Former World Champion Tarek Momen booked his quarter-final spot after beating Leonel Cardenas in straight games.
Both players had already met twice this calendar year, with Momen victorious on both occasions. The World No.9 had game ball in the first following an error from Cardenas, who was taking the game to Momen with disciplined play throughout. Momen converted to draw first blood.
Cardenas was in an excellent position in game two with three game balls, but he was unable to capitalise as Momen, who trailed 9-5, saved all three. Cardenas saved a game ball in the tiebreak, but Momen converted at the second time of asking to double his lead.
And Momen’s place in the last eight was sealed following an 11-6 triumph over Cardenas in the third.
Afterwards, Momen said: “I felt okay, I felt good. I don’t think I played my best – I think I played okay but there were far too many errors and the third game was better than the first two games.
“When I got my lines in the right place, I had a good strategy, I didn’t play badly but it’s just the errors when the ball is just sitting there and there were too many.
“I was getting better, but at the same time I had a tough match yesterday so there wasn’t much recovery and I was a bit flat. All things considered I did well today and to dispatch an opponent like Leonel [Cardenas] in three is a good win for me.”
Result
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 3-0: 11-9, 13-11, 11-6 (41m)
Gohar Cruises Into Last Eight
Nouran Gohar progressed to the last eight as the World No.1 saw off Olivia Fiechter in three games.
The pace set from Gohar in the opening exchanges of the first game was matched by Fiechter, who was standing toe-to-toe with the Egyptian before she pulled away to take a one-game lead.
Fiechter, who hasn’t been victorious against Gohar on the World Tour, had a comfortable buffer in the second before Gohar clawed her way back as the tournament’s top seed was finding her range.
After taking the second 11-8, Gohar edged another close contest in the third to prevail and lock in a quarter-final place.
“It wasn’t easy against World No.9 Olivia [Fiechter]. I think that’s one of the toughest draws you can get in the third round, but I’m glad I got this draw to prepare for the next match,” said Gohar.
“I played well but I think I can play better. It’s a good step towards the next match of the tournament.
“I was happy I was able to clinch it 11-5 [the first game]. It made a big difference because when you’re one up it’s different than being 1-0 down as it’s going to give her confidence. I knew this and I knew I had to start strong so I’m happy with that.
“The first match I played was a shorter match and the temperature was a bit lower. Today it was a bit bouncier, which I like. It looks like an indoor court but it’s an outdoor court because the temperature really plays a big role and you have to adapt whether it’s cold or hot on the day.
“I love it! I’ve always been a fan of the French culture and the French language. I had my Tecnifibre team supporting me today with them being a French brand. Being here feels like home even though it’s my first time here. I love it and I hope they can keep on supporting me.”
Result
[1] Nouran Gohar (EGY) bt Olivia Fiechter (USA) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (39m)
Coll Books Quarters Spot at Expense of Ghosal
Paul Coll rounded off the afternoon session with a 3-0 win against Saurav Ghosal in a 60-minute battle at the Palais de Tokyo.
New Zealand No.1 Coll nudged ahead after taking the first 11-4 in a clinical display, but not much separated Coll and Ghosal in the second with some long rallies throughout.
Ghosal was 5-1 up before Coll showed great mental fortitude to come back in what was a physical battle between the pair.
World No.19 Ghosal continued to provide a stern test in the third with Coll two games to the good, before the New Zealander managed to give himself four match balls which he converted at the second time of asking.
“It was tough. We [Coll and Saurav Ghosal] both played late last night and both on in the early session so we didn’t get chance to practice on the glass this morning. Ironically I think the first set was my best, it’s a nice glass court and it was a good match,” Coll said post-match.
“I’ve got good memories here [Paris] – I won my first 20K at one of the clubs here. I like Paris, good memories and I’m pleased to be back. We’re staying in a beautiful area and I’m really enjoying my time here so far.”
Result
[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (60m)
Gilis Edges Five-Game Battle With Mohamed
Nele Gilis went the distance with Farida Mohamed to topple the Egyptian 3-2 in a match that went to the wire at the start of the evening session.
Mohamed was on the offensive from the beginning, but Gilis’ composure played a key role in the Belgian coming out on top and progressing to the quarter-finals.
Plenty of winners were being hit from both in the first, and Mohamed had game ball but squandered the opportunity. The Egyptian hit the tin to hand Gilis a game ball chance, which she converted at the first attempt.
Mohamed had game ball at 10-9 again in the second and she didn’t let the chance go to waste this time to level the match, only for Gilis to regain her advantage as she handled everything Mohamed threw at her in the third.
The error count from Mohamed lowered in the fourth as she remained on the offensive to restore parity once more and tee up a decider.
Gilis’ fighting spirit came to the fore when she came from 8-6 down to have two match balls only for both to be saved by Mohamed. A match ball opportunity for Mohamed went begging – and another for Gilis – before the Belgian converted at the fourth attempt to secure her last eight place.
“I’m still shaking! It was a nervy match but I hung in there and got the win in the fifth,” Gilis said.
“She [Farida Mohamed] didn’t make it easy for me, she was firing it in and she didn’t miss much. I’m very proud.
“I think that’s what won me the match – just to stay calm and not let anything around me affect me. I knew exactly what was going to happen and it happened!
“I just tried to regather myself after the fourth and refocus myself and I told myself to refocus after every point.”
Result
[6] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt Farida Mohamed (EGY) 3-2: 12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 14-12 (71m)
Ruthless Farag Wins In Three
World No.1 Ali Farag was in determined mood as he ruthlessly dispatched Greg Lobban for quarter-final spot.
The reigning World Champion was in scintillating form against the Scottish No.1, an opponent Farag has never lost to on the PSA World Tour, and he kept that run intact with a 3-0 win inside 31 minutes.
Farag, who defeated Youssef Soliman in straight games in round two, asserted his dominance on court by taking all three games 11-3.
The tournament’s top seed will face either Adrian Waller or French No.1 Victor Crouin in the last eight on Thursday.
“I’m really hungry to start the season again,” said Farag
“My injury last season was a blessing in disguise because it rejuvenated me with hunger and passion for the game.
“I had a good block of training over the summer and I’m happy with the two performances I’ve put in so far and I’m looking forward to the rest of the tournament.”
Result
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-0: 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 (31m)
Statement Triumph From Sobhy
USA No.1 Amanda Sobhy laid down a marker with her round three triumph, seeing off Lucy Beecroft in straight games.
In what was their first-ever meeting on the PSA World Tour, Sobhy dominated the first game which she clinched 11-2.
Beecroft, who beat Satomi Watanabe and Hollie Naughton to reach the third round, made a brighter start to the second game as she looked to find her feet but back-to-back errors from the Englishwoman proved costly as Sobhy regained control and stretched her lead with an 11-4 win.
And Sobhy confirmed her place in the quarter-finals, where she faces Joelle King, with another 11-2 victory.
“I always try to listen to my body and my body was telling me to rest,” Sobhy said afterwards.
“I’ve been doing this for a lot of years and this season is going to be just as long and I’m going to take care of my body, refresh and enjoy downtime.
“I’m excited, I feel good and I’m looking forward to a battle.”
Result
[7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt Lucy Beecroft (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-2 (25m)
Crouin Holds Off Waller To Reach Quarters
French No.1 Victor Crouin held off an excellent fightback from Adrian Waller to seal a quarter-final place on home soil.
Crouin, backed by a boisterous crowd, was in fine fettle after taking the first two games 11-4 and 11-8, before the resurgent Waller halved the deficit.
The Englishman, who was taking on Crouin for the first time, was hanging tough in the third as he won 11-9.
Waller was again proving to be troubling for Crouin in the fourth, pegging the score back to six-all. But the French No.1 wasn’t to be denied a place in the quarter-finals, going on to clinch the fourth 11-8.
“He’s [Adrian Waller] very experienced and he showed it tonight,” Crouin explained.
“I knew he was a threat, he’s been very dangerous and killing the French players recently so I didn’t take him lightly at all. I’m relieved to win in four games.
“I wasn’t sure if I had to change it to keep the momentum going, but I’m relieved.”
Result
[7] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-1: 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8 (58m)
