The main draw has been determined for the 2011 KL Open with the opening round beginning tomorrow at 4pm at Bukit Jalil National Squash Complex.
The qualifiers will have little rest before hitting the courts again to try and advance, particularly in the lower half of the draw. There were splendid matches this evening on the PSA side, including Mark Krajcsak vs Mathiew Castagnet which is probably an indication of things to come. Match reports are below.
Farag was anything but settled in the first game, playing tactically broad. Suchde asserted himself and kept at a quick pace, firing the ball into the front corners and volleying regularly to win the first with ease. In the second, things changed and it was highly competitive,
"In the first the ball was too bouncy, and Sidd played at such a fast pace," commented Farag. He continued, "They (Egyptian contingent) told me to slow the pace and stop opening up the court with boasts and cross courts... I had to tighten it up." Farag took a close second game before pulling away from a frustrated Suchde. Farag was encouraged by the sportsmanship and courtesy of Suchde, "I want to say how enjoyable it was to play him and how polite he is on court." Farag now plays Malaysia's Nafizwan Adnan in a very interesting first round encounter.
An excellent squash match that was clean, creative and entertaining - I was tired just watching! There were brutal, lengthy rallies that severely tested each other's fitness in addition to great racket skills.
"If I didn't win that second, I would have lost the match," said an exhausted Castagnet afterwards. "I was lucky. I was really tired, and so was he, after such a long trip from Hungary. That second game was crucial." Castagnet continued, "it was a really good match and I'm happy with my game." Krajcsak looked somber after the match saying, "its simple really: I'm not feeling up to it. Its as simple as that. I'm not happy at all. I couldn't do anymore... then there were 3 strokes against me in the second, but only 1 was reasonable. Such a crucial part of the game. Just not feeling it."
Mathieu Castagnet moves on to play Pakistan's Aamir Atlas Khan in the first round.
A well contested match, Salazar looked strong and moved well - throughout the back half of the court. Marche was constantly in front and sending Salazar back with effective attacking length that provided opportunities to go to the front.
"I was very focused on playing good length. Cesar is so fit and keeps going, and he was up 8-3 in the third. I went back to focusing and playing length again." Indeed he did, as Marche scored 8 unanswered points to close out the match. Salazar commented, "Greg started solid, keeping me in the back and playing with pace. I couldn't concentrate and I was constantly behind him. I never could attack."
Salazar is sure to bounce back given today's experience and look for him to win smaller tournaments as he presses to make the main draws of these large tournaments. Marche will face #3 seed Cameron Pilley of Australia.
Aaron Frankcomb played solid squash in a close contest against Malaysia's young Elvinn Keo. Keo is playing his first tournament since having surgery to repair a torn ACL and Meniscus in his right knee, but he moved well and stayed with the agile Frankcomb.
"I could go on playing even now, I feel good." said Keo. He continued saying, "Aaron is a good player, a solid basic game and a I learned a few things tonight. I was up in the second and third games, including 4 game balls in the third, but I couldn't finish. I had my chances and was really hoping to make the main draw."
Frankcomb commented afterwards, "I've played well recently over the world cup and then had a tough match yesterday against Asyraf (Azan). Came out today comfortable in the first but then just started playing defensively and going up and down the rails. But he (Keo) is moving well in spite of his surgery." Frankcomb moves on to play Mohamed El Shorbagy in the first round.
The qualifiers will have little rest before hitting the courts again to try and advance, particularly in the lower half of the draw. There were splendid matches this evening on the PSA side, including Mark Krajcsak vs Mathiew Castagnet which is probably an indication of things to come. Match reports are below.
Ali Farag bt Siddharth Suchde 3/11, 11/9, 11/6, 11/4 (42min)
"In the first the ball was too bouncy, and Sidd played at such a fast pace," commented Farag. He continued, "They (Egyptian contingent) told me to slow the pace and stop opening up the court with boasts and cross courts... I had to tighten it up." Farag took a close second game before pulling away from a frustrated Suchde. Farag was encouraged by the sportsmanship and courtesy of Suchde, "I want to say how enjoyable it was to play him and how polite he is on court." Farag now plays Malaysia's Nafizwan Adnan in a very interesting first round encounter.
Mathieu Castagnet bt Mark Krajcsak 6/11, 11/9, 11/3, 11/7 (60min)
"If I didn't win that second, I would have lost the match," said an exhausted Castagnet afterwards. "I was lucky. I was really tired, and so was he, after such a long trip from Hungary. That second game was crucial." Castagnet continued, "it was a really good match and I'm happy with my game." Krajcsak looked somber after the match saying, "its simple really: I'm not feeling up to it. Its as simple as that. I'm not happy at all. I couldn't do anymore... then there were 3 strokes against me in the second, but only 1 was reasonable. Such a crucial part of the game. Just not feeling it."
Mathieu Castagnet moves on to play Pakistan's Aamir Atlas Khan in the first round.
Gregoire Marche bt Cesar Salazar 11/6, 11/5, 11/8 (45min)
"I was very focused on playing good length. Cesar is so fit and keeps going, and he was up 8-3 in the third. I went back to focusing and playing length again." Indeed he did, as Marche scored 8 unanswered points to close out the match. Salazar commented, "Greg started solid, keeping me in the back and playing with pace. I couldn't concentrate and I was constantly behind him. I never could attack."
Salazar is sure to bounce back given today's experience and look for him to win smaller tournaments as he presses to make the main draws of these large tournaments. Marche will face #3 seed Cameron Pilley of Australia.
Aaron Frankcomb bt Elvinn Keo 11/5, 11/9, 8/11, 11/9 (67min)
"I could go on playing even now, I feel good." said Keo. He continued saying, "Aaron is a good player, a solid basic game and a I learned a few things tonight. I was up in the second and third games, including 4 game balls in the third, but I couldn't finish. I had my chances and was really hoping to make the main draw."
Frankcomb commented afterwards, "I've played well recently over the world cup and then had a tough match yesterday against Asyraf (Azan). Came out today comfortable in the first but then just started playing defensively and going up and down the rails. But he (Keo) is moving well in spite of his surgery." Frankcomb moves on to play Mohamed El Shorbagy in the first round.
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