Soliman Scythes Down Elgawarhy in Chennai

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Egyptian qualifier Youssef Soliman came up with the day’s big upset with a fine 3-1 victory over number four seed Mohamed Elgawarhy in the first round of the JSW Indian Squash Circuit Chennai, PSA M10 event.

The 18-year-old, who reached the final of the World Junior Championship back in July, dropped the opening game to his more experienced opponent before battling back to take three games without reply to secure a 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 triumph.

Soliman will go up against Abdullah Al Muzayen in the quarter-final after the Asian Games gold medallist defeated compatriot Ammar Altamimi 3-2.

Another qualifier, Mohd Syafiq Kamal, is through to the next round after overcoming Matias Tuomi in four. The Malaysian’s reward us a meeting with top seed Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu in the quarter-final after the Indian No.3 eased by Velavan Senthilkumar in straight games.

Elsewhere, number two seed Mohamed Reda is through to last eight where he will face talented teenager Kush Kumar after the pair scored respective wins against Ravi Dixit and Chi Him Wong.

Joel Makin benefitted from an injury to Muhammad Hannan to reach the next stage and Mazen Gamal will be his opponent there after he saw off Vijay Kumar.

Results – First Round: JSW Indian Squash Circuit Chennai 2015
[1] Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) bt [Q] Velavan Senthilkumar (IND) 3-0: 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 (30 mins)
[Q] Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS) bt [8] Matias Tuomi (FIN) 3-1: 12-10, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4 (37 mins)
Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt [7] Ammar Altamimi (KUW) 3-2: 9-11, 11-6, 16-14, 4-11, 11-8 (60 mins)
[Q] Youssef Soliman (EGY) bt [4] Mohamed Elgawarhy (EGY) 3-1: 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 (50 mins)
[3] Joel Makin (WAL) bt Muhammad Hannan (MAS) 2-0: 11-4, 11-0 ret. (13 mins)
[6] Mazen Gamal (EGY) bt [WC] Vijay Kumar (IND) 3-1: 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7 (51 mins)
[5] Kush Kumar (IND) bt Chi Him Wong (HKG) 3-1: 11-9, 6-11, 11-2, 11-4 (35 mins)
[2] Mohamed Reda (EGY) bt [Q] Ravi Dixit (IND) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 (32 mins)

Draw – Quarter-Final
[1] Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (IND) v [Q] Mohd Syafiq Kamal (MAS)
Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) v [Q] Youssef Soliman (EGY)
[3] Joel Makin (WAL) v [6] Mazen Gamal (EGY)
[5] Kush Kumar (IND) v [2] Mohamed Reda (EGY)