OPTASIA CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY ONE: PLAYER REACTION

The first round of the Optasia Championships – formerly known as the Channel VAS Championships – gets underway today at the Wimbledon Club in London, England and you can keep up to date with the latest reaction from the players here.

Play begins at 13:00 (GMT) live on *SQUASHTV* and you can also keep up to date with all the live scores from the tournament *here.*

For more information on the event, visit the *tournament website* or follow the PSA World Tour on *Twitter*,  *Facebook*, *Instagram* and *TikTok*.


You can *buy tickets for the Optasia Championships here.*

US No.1 Shahjahan Khan gets the day's play underway against Egypt's Mohamed ElSherbini, while five English players are involved. With the eight seeded players receiving byes into the second round, World No.15 Youssef Soliman is the highest-ranked player in action today.

Order Of Play
(All times local, GMT)

ElSherbini Books RD2 Spot

Egypt’s World No.28 Mohamed ElSherbini earned his place in the second round of the Optasia Championships courtesy of a 3-1 win over USA’s Shahjahan Khan at the Wimbledon Club.

The 29-year-old had gotten the better of Khan in their only previous meeting, which came at the Pittsburgh Open in 2020, but it was Khan who settled first as he took the first four points on offer.

However, it was then ElSherbini’s turn to put points on the board as he twisted and turned his opponent to rattle off seven points without reply, and it was enough off a lead to enable him to hold off a late response from his opponent.

The second game followed a similar format as Khan again won the first four points, but this time around he was able to prevent ElSherbini from coming back as the American levelled the scores.

The match hit some scrappy periods in the third and fourth games, and it was ElSherbini who held his nerve to prevail in both, earning himself a second round fixture against top seed Ali Farag.

The pair had some seemingly heated words with each other at the end of the match, but ElSherbini insists the pair are good friends off court.

“We train together all the time, but he’s super heated,” said ElSherbini.

“It’s different [playing in England compared to Egypt]. I’m used to England, I used to come here a lot to play the British Open when I was a junior. Egypt is pretty hot and we get to train a lot in the heat outside, so I think it makes a difference.

“It’s a very difficult question to answer [why Egypt are so dominant]. There are multiple factors, we are very competitive at a young age within our club. We have a lot of role models starting with [Ahmed] Barada, [Amr] Shabana, [Ramy] Ashour and [Mohamed] ElShorbagy. These guys have inspired us to become better squash players.”

Result
Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY) bt Shahjahan Khan (USA) 3-1: 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4 (55m)

Eain Yow Comes From Behind

Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng came back from a game down to end a two-match losing streak against England’s Adrian Waller in the second match of the day.

Eain Yow had fallen to Waller in a five-game battle just last week at the Windy City Open and went behind early on after a confident start from his opponent saw him pick off Eain Yow’s loose shots with some accurate winners.

The rhythm of the match changed in the second game onwards as Eain Yow relaxed and started drawing Waller away from the ’T’. Waller responded by trying to move Yow into all four corners of the court but the Malaysian stood up to the pressure and showcased his dynamic retrieval skills.

Eain Yow finally converted on his third game ball to take the second game and that proved crucial as he added victories in games three and four to seal his spot in the last 16.

“The court conditions were tough,” said Eain Yow.

“In the first game I thought Adrian really took it to me, he was playing his shots well and hit some amazing winners. In the second game I felt I wasn’t hitting my lines or my targets, but I just had to stick to it. I know I’m fit enough to go the distance, I kept playing hard and made sure I picked up every ball.

“I wanted to make it as hard as possible for him, and then once I got a bit more confident I was taking it short, I’m happy to get through today.

“We’ve got so many [role models], Nicol [David] for sure, [Ong] Beng See, Azlan [Iskandar] and Nafiizwan [Adnan] as well. It’s not easy for us because to play at the highest level you have to move overseas. I’ve been here in Bristol for two or three years now, and I’m happy that I made that move.

“I play with Mohamed ElShorbagy and Marwan ElShorbagy, Youssef Soliman as well. They’re a lovely bunch in Bristol, Hadrian [Stiff] has been amazing, he’s pushed me to improve and keep working hard. It’s been a big thing for me to move over, and I think it’s been good.”

Eain Yow will take on Welshman Joel Makin in the next round.

Result
Eain Yow Ng (MAS) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-1: 7-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-8 (58m)

Mueller on Form to Dispatch Pajares

‘Swiss Rocket’ Nicolas Mueller scored the first upset of the event as he took out Spain’s Iker Pajares Bernabeu to reach the last 16.

Pajares was on a high after reaching his first PSA World Tour Platinum quarter final last week at the Windy City Open but fell victim to a brilliant display of attacking squash from Mueller, who held the ball well and played his angles to take a two-game lead.

Brutal rally between @bernabeu_iker & @MuellerNicolas

Fightback mode for the Spaniard at the @OPTASIAsquash! pic.twitter.com/7szrjxCI0b

— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) March 6, 2022

Pajares had a sniff of a return to the form that saw him break new ground in Chicago when he recovered to take the third game, but he struggled physically in the fourth as Mueller closed out an 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-2 victory to set up a second round fixture with Frenchman Gregoire Marche.

“I was playing very well in the first two and a half games, I had a big lead in the third but then I thought about winning the game instead of focusing on what I was doing,” Mueller said.

“Iker had a few big rallies, he won those and got some confidence. I was very happy to get a good start in the fourth, I wanted to make sure the lead was big enough so he couldn’t come back again.

“The state of squash in Switzerland is getting better and better. We have another Swiss guy who just missed out on coming into this tournament, he’s like No. 36 in the world, his nickname is ‘The Jet’ and he is playing very well. He beat me the last time in the Nationals, after 14 years in a row he finally got one. I’ve just got to make sure it’s a one-off and I keep on winning those events.”

Wonderful wizardry from @MuellerNicolas

The Swiss was on fire today at the @OPTASIAsquash pic.twitter.com/HqIcUe8KDQ

— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) March 6, 2022

Results
Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt Iker Pajares Bernabeu (ESP) 3-1: 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-2 (52m)

Willstrop Masterclass Vanquishes Kandra

Former World No.1 James Willstrop put on a display befitting of his ‘Marksman’ nickname as he put Germany’s Raphael Kandra to the sword in an entertaining 3-0 victory in Wimbledon.

The 38-year-old Yorkshireman was on fire throughout the 35-minute fixture and there was very little Kandra could do to fight back against Willstrop’s brilliance.

He dragged Kandra around the court and slotted some delicate drops, while his length game was inch-perfect too. The first game was the closest of the lot at 11-9, but there was only ever one winner from that point onwards as Willstrop booked his place in round two, where he will take on No.4 seed Marwan ElShorbagy.

“That's an absolute scandal of a rally!” @james_willstrop and @raphkandra are putting on a SHOW for the @OPTASIAsquash crowd pic.twitter.com/GUbrR5F1hq

— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) March 6, 2022

Looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games this summer, Willstrop said: “I’m just trying to get selected at the moment. I’m really pleased to put in a performance like that.

“It’s getting a little bit tight with the English players and I do want to get there now I’ve gone on this long, it’s an unbelievable opportunity to play in Birmingham. The body usually feels alright, there are always a few niggles going on, but I think as the lockdown progressed you realised that the Commonwealth Games was building. That gave us oldies a bit of a rest and the young ones couldn’t catch us up.

“I’ve managed to maintain that position so it gives me a chance in the summer. It will be great to make that and then we’ll see where we are after that.”

Willstrop also referenced his coaching at the Pontefract Squash & Leisure Club, saying: “Malcolm [Willstrop’s late father] has left a big gap at Pontefract, so Vanessa, I, Jane and Matt at Pontefract are trying to fill that, which is impossible but we’re making a go of it. We’re working with young players and trying to keep Patrick [Rooney], Sam [Todd] and Hollie [Naughton] – the pros that are up there – working.

“I’m not doing much because I’m still trying to play, but I enjoy a bit of coaching. It helps me because I have to analyse things and analysing other player’s games helps mine a little bit.”

Result
James Willstrop (ENG) bt Raphael Kandra (GER) 3-0: 11-9, 11-3, 11-6 (35m)

Wildcard Lee Reaches Second Round

Wildcard Joe Lee secured his place in the second round of the Optasia Championships after Mexico’s World No.51 Cesar Salazar retired due to injury when the Englishman was 2-0 up.

Lee, who was featuring in a PSA World Tour Gold event for the first time since the 2019 Channel VAS Championships, started the match well taking a deserved one game lead after playing solid squash to test the Mexican’s movement around the court.

In the second it was clear that Salazar was struggling with what looked to be a hamstring injury as the Englishman comfortably doubled his lead for the loss of one point.

A lengthy stoppage before the third ensued before Salazar stepped back on court to shake hands with the World No.89, who will face Peru’s Diego Elias next.

“To be honest from the first shot, I didn’t really feel him on my shoulder,” said Lee afterwards.

“Which I thought was a bit unusual as he wasn’t pushing up. So that it was just a bit of a mental challenge as I knew he wasn’t moving as well as he usually does, but he still played pretty constructively in that first game. I managed to do enough and then found what I needed to do in the second. It would have been nice to have a go at him at 100%, but I’ll take the win.

“I feel like I’m ready to start playing at this level again, maybe even beyond what I was before my injury. This is great opportunity for me and things have gone my way today and I have another great opportunity in a couple of days.

“Diego has beaten me a couple of times on his way up the rankings. It’s been five or six years since we last met, so I’m looking forward to having a go at him.”

Result:
[WC] Joe Lee (ENG) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-0: 11-7, 11-1, 0-0 retired (24m)

Ghosal Claims Straight-Games Win Over Rooney

India’s Saurav Ghosal completed a dominant 11-4, 11-6, 11-8 victory over England’s Patrick Rooney to reach the second round of the PSA World Tour Gold event taking place in Wimbledon.

Rooney has enjoyed some good performances in recent events but suffered from a lacklustre start as Ghosal took full advantage, breaking away at 4-4 to rattle off seven points in a row and power into a one game lead.

That continued in the second game as Ghosal, who made a rapid recovery after withdrawing from his match last week with World Champion Ali Farag at the Windy City Open, once again broke away into a 9-0 advantage, showcasing his explosive movement around the cold court to double his lead.

By then the damage had been done and despite a better effort from the Englishman in the third, it was Ghosal who was able to close out in 42 minutes and set up a second round with Egypt’s Mazen Hesham.

“I think it’s just about adapting to the court as much as possible,” said Ghosal.

“I think I have things to do on a squash court that help me depending on what court I’m playing on, so I just have to adapt accordingly. That’s our job to adapt wherever we play and whatever the opponent throws at us, we try to do the best that we can. I did what I wanted to do for the most part because Patrick is a very good squash player. He’s doing really well over the last year especially. He’s played at Pontefract a bit and you can see all the stuff that’s in his game that comes from Pontefract. It was a bit of a role reversal so I’m happy to pull through that.

“It was taking it one month at a time [during COVID], I feel I have a few more accomplishments left in me and I feel I can improve more as a squash player. Physically and mentally I have the drive to it and that’s what pushes you to come back. Having the memories of playing big tournaments, like this, in front of crowds, like this – that’s what gives you the motivation to come back.”

Result:
Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-6, 11-8 (42m)

Impressive Soliman Reaches Round Two

Egypt’s Youssef Soliman was in top form as he comfortably axed France’s Lucas Serme by an 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 margin to set up an exciting clash with former World No.1 Karim Abdel Gawad.

The two players had only met once before with the Frenchman taking that victory back at the 2018 British Open. However, it was all about the Egyptian on this occasion as he moved effortlessly around the court to put the World No.33 to the sword in 39 minutes.

“I had to play a solid game to make sure I got this first round win,” said the Egyptian in his post-match interview.

“I can take confidence from it and I’m happy with my performance. It’s definitely an exciting court and we are used to the blue court so it’s quite different but it’s nice.

“I’m still based between Cairo and Bristol but more Cairo now, 70-30 in Cairo now and we’ll see next year where I’m based, I haven’t decided yet.

Commenting on the squash scene in his native Egypt, Soliman said: “Egyptian League is a big thing in Egypt, when you’re a junior now your schedule is like three days in a row against top 10 guys. It’s tough but it’s interesting at the same time.”

Result:
Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt Lucas Serme (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-2 (39m)

Parker Makes Most of Late Call-Up

England’s World No.32 George Parker made the most of a late call-up as he booked his place in the second round of the Optasia Championships in Wimbledon.

The fiery Englishman was the first reserve for the tournament and after France’s Baptiste Masotti tested positive for COVID-19 was called into the draw yesterday at short notice.

However, that didn’t appear to affect Parker’s preparations as he overcame a one game deficit against a talented El Hammamy to grind out the win in 51 minutes and set up a second round meeting with 2017 winner and current World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy.

“It’s a weird one [being called up late into the draw], it’s sort of less pressure in a way,” said Parker following his win.

“I didn’t expect much today, I just got the call up yesterday and I’m happy to be in and playing. I got back from America last Saturday and it’s just good to be back and playing after covid.”

Result:
George Parker (ENG) bt Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1: 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (51m)