TTI Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open 2023: Asal Prevails After Momen Retirement

Defending champion Mostafa Asal is through to his first Platinum semi-final of the season after defeating fellow Egyptian Tarek Momen, who retired from the match due to illness.

Asal, who beat Diego Elias in last year’s final, built up his lead slowly in the first game with some long rallies with Momen, who made some costly errors at the backend of the game following relentless pressure from Asal.

The ‘Raging Bull’ clinched the first game 11-5 as Asal went 4-0 up in the second with some ferocious hitting around the court. But Momen was unable to continue, retiring due to illness.

Asal said afterwards: “I wish Tarek [Momen] a speedy recovery. I looked at his face before the match and it seemed that he wasn’t well. I told him before we shook hands that there seems to be something wrong and I wish him a speedy recovery.

“I wanted it to be an amazing match – I know there’s some past history but I’m coming back, lots of respect for the players and Tarek is one of the great Egyptians and at 35 he’s still playing at the best level.

“I wish him a speedy recovery and I hope it’s not anything serious as it’s a nightmare when you’re on Tour. It was a tough moment for Karim [Abdel Gawad] to see that yesterday and I hope he’s okay. It’s tough at the moment with the two of them.”

Result
[3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt [8] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 4-0 retired (16m)