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| November 24, 2006 | Friday | Ziqa'ad 2, 1427 |
Egyptians rule in Pakistan Open
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: World number four James Willstrop of England and world number six Anthony Ricketts of Australia crashed out of the Pakistan open squash as Egyptians reigned supreme in the quarter-finals here on Thursday.
Willstrop went down to Karim Darwish of Egypt in a gruelling five games while Ricketts lost to another Egyptian, Ramy Ashour, in four games in the 85,000 dollars prize money event.
World number one Amr Shabana, also from Egypt, faces world number five Frenchman Gregory Gaultier while world number three Thierry Lincou of France meets Stewart Boswell of Australia in the other quarter-finals later Thursday.
Darwish, a former world junior champion, upset Willstrop 10-11, 11-10, 10-11, 11-6, 11-10 in a nerve-wrecking quarter-final which lasted 73 minutes.
“It was a tough match and I am happy that I have beaten a player like Willstrop who is ranked as one of the best players on the tour,” said Darwish, who now meets the winner of Lincou-Boswell match.
“I have high hopes from this event and want to carry on the good work to fulfill my dreams of winning the world crown in the next couple of years,” said Darwish.
Fast rising Ashour, who won the last two world junior titles, caused a major upset by bringing Ricketts down to earth with a workman-like 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 win in 53 minutes.
Ashour, tipped to be the next world champion from Egypt after Shabana won two world crowns in 2003 and 2005, played aggressive shots from the outset and outsmarted his more experienced Australian opponent.
“I am on cloud nine after this win. It will certainly boost my confidence for future,” said Ashour, 20.
World number two David Palmer of Australia along with two Englishmen - world number seven Nick Matthew and world number eight Lee Beachill - missed the event for varied reasons.
Results on Thursday
Quarterfinals: Karim Darwish (EGY x 6) bt James Willstrop (ENG x 5) 10-11, 11-10, 10-11, 11-6, 11-10; Ramy Ashour (EGY x 8) bt Anthony Ricketts (AUS x 3) 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8. —AFP
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