Qatar classic 2018 gets underway
DOHA, October 28, 2018-The 2018 Qatar Classic began at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Saturday.
World No. 24 Abdulla Mohammed Al Tamimi of Qatar crashed out unexpectedly after suffering an opening round 1-3 (11-3, 8-11, 9-11, 5-11) defeat in the hands of Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng in just 40 minutes on Saturday.
Home favourite Tamimi was widely tipped to continue his fine form in Doha on the back of a successful run on the PSA Tour this season. It was, however, not meant to be as he had to make an early exit to the surprise of the fans that trooped out in impressive numbers to support their star player.
The first game was a pointer to what was to expect on the day as it was over in a flash, seven minutes precisely.
Tamimi bounced back in the second game, taking it in 10 mins but that was all the Qatari could muster as he eventually bowed to the superior play of the 42-ranked Malaysian.
" There was no pressure on me today. I fought back very well in the third game after being down and just kept focusing and believing that I could do it, and it paid off!" Yow said. “The win means a lot to me. I've fell short at a very major events of making the main draw but finally have made that first win, thanks to the new rules I can play the first round of all the Platinium events. So I will just keep pushing."
Australia's Cameron Pilley celebrated his 36th birthday in grand style with a 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-5) defeat of Abdulrahman Al Malki of Qatar on Day 1.
It took just 26 minutes for the hard-hitting player, who in May 2014 hit a ball at 176 mph to break his own record, to advance into the next round of the annual tournament.
The tournament which was witnessed by an impressive crowd, despite the inclement weather, saw the New South Wales-born world No. 23 Aussie prove the gulf in class between the two players as he effectively frustrated any chances of an upset by the Qatari who is one of the hosts' two wildcard entrants.
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