U.S. Open: Farag Downs Rodriguez to Reach Semis

World No.1 Ali Farag is the first semi-finalist at this year’s U.S. Open presented by TRUIST after he overcame Colombian veteran Miguel Rodriguez by a 3-1 margin at Philadelphia’s Arlen Specter US Squash Center.

It was the pair’s 14th meeting on the PSA Tour, with Rodriguez only managing to get the better of the Egyptian on two previous occasions. While it was a spirited display from the 37-year-old, there was no stopping Farag from completing an 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8 victory to seal his last four berth.

It was a promising start for Rodriguez as he took three of the first four points on offer, but it didn’t take long for Farag to grow into the match as he extended the rallies, always making Rodriguez play that one extra shot to put some hard work into the legs of the experienced South American.

After conceding the first game, Rodriguez found his best squash in the second and mixed up the pace and height, never hitting the same shot in succession. Farag, who generally reads his opponents so effectively, found it difficult to do so against Rodriguez, who duly levelled the scores.

Farag recovered though, hitting the lob with more frequency to drag Rodriguez away from the centre of the court and putting his attacks into the front corners with greater accuracy. The third game went the way of the man from Egypt, and he soon added the fourth to his collection, with Rodriguez dropping off after threatening at the beginning of the game. 

Farag, a U.S. Open champion in 2017 and 2019, will take on either three-time winner Mohamed ElShorbagy or 2021 runner-up Tarek Momen for a place in the final as he targets a fifth successive PSA World Tour Platinum title.

“[For Rodriguez] To come through two tough matches and still produce this brand of squash with this physicality is unbelievable,” said Farag.

“I thought I had him in the first one, I think it’s the best squash I played all tournament. Then he came back stronger at me and I was telling Mike [Way, Farag’s coach] that I didn’t think I was doing much wrong. He was guessing really well and he’s very experienced, so I had to stick to my game plan.

“He mixes it up really well, he’s as fit as ever but he’s got more tactically smart as he’s grown older, which is a nightmare for all of us. I managed to put the ball away well at the beginning of the third which gave me confidence and momentum for the fourth.

“I was nervous in the first round and neither [Karim Abdel] Gawad or I played our best squash because of the match-up in the second round, it was very tough. Then Aly [Abou Eleinen] is a very hungry player, he volleys really well and I had to adapt. It’s not easy to play someone for the very first time, so it’s not easy to not be familiar with your opponent.

“They [his opponents] are all very different and today was the best squash I played all week, I think.”

Result

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 3-1: 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8 (50m)