2011 KL Open PSA first round recaps

The 2011 KL Open kicked off main draw play with incredible squash from the PSA"s best players. Virtually every match was competitive and entertaining and the crowd at Bukit Jalil National Squash Complex absorbed it all. 

 WIth regular 'ooohs' and 'aaahhhs' coming from the Ghosal vs. Ong match and several others, the long night of squash was well worth it. 

I slept heavily but I loved every moment of the day... PSA match reports below.

Stephen Coppinger bt Mohammad Abbas 10/12, 11/3, 13/15, 11/5, 11/8 (72Min)

"He is so smooth," South Africa's Stephen Coppinger said of Mohammad Abbas. In a wonderfully played match, the two players put on a demo of tight squash, especially down the backhand wall. The difference today, however, was in the physical strength of Coppinger. 


 "He took me out of my game," sad Abbas. "If I dropped, he would countered which is hard since I'm not moving well." Abbas commented. Abbas continues to deal with lower back issues that have sidelined him at times despite having had surgery. "Its tough. Sometimes I feel fine, and other times I don't. Its real inconsistent when I show up to tournaments," said Abbas. Coppinger gave praise to Abbas saying, "I just had to stay with him during his patches of brilliance," he continued, 


"In the end I was physically stronger. And there was motivation, too, as it is nice to play in front of my brother." Coppinger and his brother will be traveling through Malaysia together for a few days before getting back on with the tour. Next up, Coppinger faces Gregory March of France.

Karim Darwish bt Simon Rosner 12/14, 11/5, 11/8, 11/6 (45Min)

An absolutely spellbinding match took place as Simon Rosner looked solid against an incredible top seeded Karim Darwish. I fear that some of the squash was lost on the crowd, to see what both players are capable of doing with their rackets and their ability to read one another was simply the best match of the night. 

 "Karim was the better player. I'm quite disappointed with the loss," said a humble Rosner post-match. Indeed, he played out of his skin, but Darwish was unmoved after losing the first game. "I played tighter thereafter. Simon played really well, but I played him to the back and was able to tighten up," Darwish shared. "Its my second tournament of the year and I'm looking forward to finding my form," said Darwish, who has just recovered from a hamstring injury. 

Darwish will now face Indian Saurav Ghosal in what ought to be a furiously fast match.

Gregory Marche bt Cameron Pilley 14/12, 11/8, 11/1 (50Min)

Having consulted with the referees scorecard, after going 8-3 up in the second, Gregory Marche of France outscored Cameron Pilley of Australia 18-1 onward. Something must have happened, though not obvious on court, but I was unable to reach Pilley for comment. 


 "I don't know what to say, I'm speechless. This is a big win - and 3-0," said an elated Marche afterwards. If you recall, it was in Saudi where Frenchman Matthieu Castagnet defeated Pilley. Castagnet was in Marche's corner, along with Camille Serme. "Cameron is a great player, and he's a glass court player too. His shots weren't dropping and he wasn't able to finish in the front," commented Castagnet. Marche was always regularly asserting himself, regularly sending Pilley to the back and playing - again - solid attacking length. 


 "I played my best squash, or at least it felt like it. I put the ball where I wanted. I was very happy with the length, I thought it would be hard to get it past him because he is tall, but it was tight and it worked." said Marche. Marche moves on to face Stephen Coppinger in the second round.

Saurav Ghosal bt Ong Beng Hee 11/8, 4/11, 11/6, 11/6 (54Min)

What a treat as a massive crowd gathered to watch local icon Ong Beng Hee tangle with Indian Saurav Ghosal. At first sight it was obvious: Ghosal has been working out; the man is chiseled. Coupled with his scary speed and indomitable spirit, his game is coming together and he is well on his way to cracking the top echelon of the PSA. 


 He has transformed over the past few years and was looking to rebound against Ong, who - didn't check my facts - I think beat Ghosal in Kolkata at the Indian challenger in 2009. It was payback. "I haven't played Beng Hee in a few years and I've never beaten him," said Ghosal during a post match stretch. "I think Beng Hee is better now than he was as World #7, a testament to the strength of the tour now," shared Ghosal. "And Beng Hee has done so much for the sport, especially in Malaysia. He is such a good player: he moves so well and reads everything. I was never able to wrong-step him and you have to be very careful when you attack him. If you don't do it at the right time, he'll punish you. As you saw, he was able to chip the ball well," commented Ghosal. 


 "It was such a hard first match," he continued. "I'm just glad to have survived and will move on," he finished. Ghosal will have to find his reserves as he will encounter former World #1 and top seed Karim Darwish in the second round. 


 It ought to be a spectacle and will be streamed live on tv. Check your local listings for coverage.

Azlan Iskandar bt Farhan Mebhoob 9/9, (RTD)

After reviewing video, it appears Farhan Mehboob has rolled his ankle and hopefully it won't be a serious setback to him. 


 "Its these shoes... I don't like these shoes as I slipped twice," shared a frustrated Mehbood. Too bad, because the match was just opening up and the players were playing at an incredible pace as was expected. 


 Azlan will not enjoy having advanced in this manner, but you can be sure he'll take advantage of it as he faces Mehboob's compatriot, Aamir Atlas Khan.

Aamir Atlas Khan bt Mathieu Castagnet 13/11, 11/2, 11/5 (37Min)

French squash is good. Real good. Mathieu Castagnet may had an off day today, but he is a gentleman and gave a great showing on behalf of the visiting French contingent. 


 "Today was not good. After two long matches, I came in slow against Aamir, whom is too fast and too good in the front," said a kind Castagnet. "I held game ball in the first but couldn't finish. If you're game in the front is not sharp, he'll kill you," Castagnet said of Khan. 


 Khan maintained a steady presence in the front and regularly forced Castagnet to go up as well, "I played the volley often. Physically he [Castagnet] is strong and is a rhythm player. I wanted to keep the pressure on him throughout," said Khan. Khan moves on and will face Azlan Iskandar.

Mohd. Nafi Izwan Adnan bt Ali Farag 11/8, 9/11, 11/8, 11/9 (62Min)

In an entertaining affair, local Wildcard 'Wan' Adnan defeated Egyptian junior Ali Farag. It was clear from the outset that the pace was bothering Farag and he was resorting to an undisciplined response. But a standout feature to Farag's game is his ability to read his opponent. Adnan's regular deceptive tactics were required to keep Farag honest in his footwork, otherwise, he was on top of every ball no matter what angle Adnan attempted. 


 Farag reminds me of the quick hands and postural reads of Ramy Ashour - they're not guessing when they step towards their opponents struck ball. "He is quite clever with his movement," Adnan said of Farag. 


 "I felt off and began to play too many volleys. I didn't plan or play very good second shots," referring to supposed outright winners the young Farag retrieved and returned. "He is quite good at reading the opponent," said Adnan. "I learned a lot things on this trip. Karim, Omney, they showed me how to prepare as a professional; sleeping habits and eating... I don't eat the right food." said a smiling Farag. "The pace was too fast and I struggled to slow it and tighten up, and I played too many cross courts again, and he took advantage," said Farag. 


 Adnan moves on to face another Egyptian in Mohamed El Shorbagy.

Mohamed El Shorbagy bt Aaron Frankcomb 11/5, 11/8, 11/7 (50Min)

In a physical match, Mohamed El Shorbagy outlasted Aaron Frankcomb. Frankcomb is a lean, fast and strong player, but even the finest athletes will be made to work against the racket of Shorbagy whose physical build capitalizes his game. Shorbagy took a very high T position, and given his height, began striking the ball quickly, early and with seemingly inhuman angles. 


 Frankcomb was able to weather the storm and keep the rallies going, but kept to a more defensive game. 


 "If his short game matches his length, he's dangerous," Shorbagy said of Frankcomb. "He'd played well, and the second was crucial. I was able to get the big points in the end," Shorbagy commented. Shorbagy moves on to face Malaysia's Nafi Izwan Adnan.

--Will Mather