El Gouna (Egypt), April 7 (IANS) India’s Abhay Singh suffered a loss against Egyptian Youssef Ibrahim in the second round of El Gouna Open, a PSA Platinum level event.
Ibrahim, once again battled through an ongoing left shoulder injury to defeat Abhay in five games 3-2 ( 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8 in 68 minutes.
Earlier, Abhay rallied to beat Egyptian world No. 13 Aly Abou Eleinen 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-4, 11-8 in the men’s opening round on Day 1.
Elsewhere, on day three of play, World No.4 Karim Gawad prevailed in a 109-minute thriller with Egyptian compatriot Youssef Soliman.
In what was Gawad’s longest match on the PSA Squash Tour since 2013, the 34-year-old managed to hold his nerve to come from 2-1 behind and defeat the World No.12 by a 5-11, 14-12, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9 scoreline.
Meanwhile, World No.2 Paul Coll saw off a strong start from Malaysian No.1 Eain Yow Ng to reach the quarter-finals by an 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 scoreline. He will next play Youssef Ibrahim.
World No.8 Mohamad Zakaria stamped his authority in the latest instalment of his gripping rivalry with Joel Makin, avenging his Australian Open defeat with a supreme straight-games victory over the No.5 seed.
The 18-year-old World Junior Champion delivered a performance of great maturity to overcome British National Champion Makin 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 on a thrilling day of action at the Platinum-level event.
In the women’s section, world No.2 Nour ElSherbini looked in imposing form as she cruised into the quarter-finals after defeating Melissa Alves.
The eight-time World Champion delivered a sharp, accurate performance from the first to last point of the match, easing into the last eight by an 11-3, 11-3, 11-7 scoreline.
In another match, world No.4 Olivia Weaver saw off an inspired start from Egypt’s Farida Mohamed to advance to the quarter-finals in four games, 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8) in 43 minutes.
–IANS
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