Farag will continue his trot through the Junior ranks while gaining valuable, pressure-free experience at the highest level of the senior game. Another notable player is Matthew Castagnet of France. Castagnet is much better than his ranking suggests, easily justifying his impressive – albeit inconsistent – run as of late. Castagnet recently beat third seed Cameron Pilley and a possible rematch looms. Finally, Mark Krajcsack of Hungary would have a strong showing in the lower half of the main draw if he can survive the qualifying field.
First Impressions of Main Draw
A quick glance at the main draw and you notice the discrepancy: a stacked upper half and a vacant lower half. This does not mean that I, or the seeds awaiting them, are underestimating the quality of play emerging from the lower half of the draw. Rather, we are witnessing the impact of the PSA’s policy change in the seedings.
Therefore, lower ranked players theoretically have a greater chance of earning more points, diversifying the upper echelons of the game and future tournament draws. In the short term, there will be discrepancies, but patience is key. We’ll patiently wait and see how this change affects the World Tour. In this case, Malaysian Wild Card recipient Nafizwan Adnan has an opportunity he must take advantage of: win in the first round for much needed points.
The first round holds interest for player and spectator alike and you will surely enjoy the matchups. Lets take a look at them below.
Simon Rosner vs. #1 Karim Darwish
Rosner, at the conclusion of his tough 5-set loss to Darwish at the Case Swedish Open, was quoted saying, “Karim is an amazing player, its tough to beat him… Next time for sure I will win,”. Rosner has such an opportunity in the first round of the KL Open. Expect a fast paced game with the big-hitting Rosner looking to occupy the space around the ‘T’ and take control over a smooth moving Darwish.
Prediction: A healthy, aggressive Darwish is too much as he spreads the court and takes it, 3-2.
Saurav Ghosal vs. Ong Beng Hee
This is a must-see match and may be the most entertaining of the round as local favorite and PSA World Tour Veteran, Ong Beng Hee will is evenly matched against the agile Ghosal. Expect a diverse display of squash with traditional, lengthened rallies and intense attacking as both players are that good.
Mix in deception, athleticism, home support and two great sportsmen and you have the making of a spectacular match!
Prediction: Ghosal is steadily challenging the very best but needs a breakout win and may well find it at the KL Open. He has what it takes to make the semifinals and I suspect he’ll do just that. Ghosal wins in an entertaining 5 game match.
Mohammad Abbas vs. Stephen Coppinger
World Tour veteran Mohammad Abbas is an ambassador of the game and you will enjoy watching him play as he makes it look easy. South African Stephen Coppinger is coming into form and has what it takes to win not only this match, but advance deeply into the tournament.
Fresh off his recent 2011 Savcor Finnish Open Title, Coppinger is one to keep an eye on and regularly presses the top players with solid racket abilities and fitness.
Prediction: Coppinger wins 3-1.
Azlan Iskandar vs. Farhan Mehboob
Yet another must-see match! Perhaps the most disciplined player on the tour, Maylaysia’s #1 and World #10 Azlan Iskandar will look to continue his current run in front of a supportive crowd. He faces power lefty Farhan Mehboob of Pakistan in a rematch of their semifinal meeting at the 2010 Malaysian Open.
Iskandar’s patience, precision and discipline is equalled by his athleticism, which is why he is now in the World’s top 10. Mehboob, despite his preference for playing on glass courts, will take advantage of his quickness without risk of slipping or over-compensating on these traditional courts. Expect a longer, punishing and entertaining match with some emotion in it as neither wants to pass up the opportunity for points available in the lower half of the draw.
Prediction: Mehboob will determine whether or not the match goes the distance and it will be as much his mind as it is his racket. You know what you are getting with Iskandar and he’ll make you show him the chink in his armor. Expect Iskandar to earn his way into the semi’s rested, healthy and strong. This is Iskandar’s tournament to win.
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