Qatar Classic gets underway
DOHA, October 30, 2017-The main event of the 2017 Qatar Classic started off on an exciting note with two-time champion Mohamed ElShorbagy of Egypt flying past England's Chris Simpson at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha on Sunday.
The World No. 3 launched his bid for the elusive triple crown in Doha by overcoming a brave challenge from the 30-year-old English opponent, posting a 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 win in just over half an hour to move into the second round of the $165,000 total prize money event.
The first game was routine for the Bristol-resident but a slight loss of focus in the second saw him losing ground to Simpson before he bounced back to tie the game at 9-9 and consequently claim it 11-9.
Learning from the mistake of the second game, the 26-year-old 2016 finalist left no stone unturned in the third game as he subdued Simpson 11-5.
"I like playing here. I come back year after year and would love to get my name on the trophy again. This is where I won my first-ever World Series title back in 2013 and I feel this year the event has raised the bar and I'm looking forward to having a good week," said El Shorbagy after the match.
For World No. 1 Gregory Gaultier of France, it was another day at the office as he steamrolled his Mexican opponent Cesar Salazar 11-6, 11-2, 11-9 in 37 minutes.
The Frenchman, who didn't play a single PSA event since the World Series Finals back in June after suffering an ankle injury which also saw him withdraw from both the NetSuite Open and US Open, appeared slim and relaxed.
Although he made a few errors in the first few points, understandably taking a few seconds to get used to the court and lights, he was on a rampage.
Making 10 winners in the first game, then 9 and 9 in the next two, he did not give any chance to the Mexican to get a sniff at opening the door.
In a big upset, a hugely impressive performance from Diego Elias saw the Peruvian defeat former World No.1 and 7th seeded James Willstrop in straight games.
The victory, which follows Elias's win over Nick Matthew at the NetSuite Open, saw Elias come from behind to win a close first game to set up the platform for the 3-0 win.
The opening game saw the two matched evenly, with Willstrop's precise ball placement nullifying Elias's superior movement, but after taking the opener 12-10 it was all Elias from then on as he grew in confidence and stature on court ultimately leaving Willstrop looking heavy and flat footed at the end.
"It's aways hard playing experienced players like James and Nick," said Elias.
Meanwhile, Qatar's Abdulla Mohammed al Tamimi, a wildcard entrant, suffered a 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 defeat at the hands of Egypt's Fares Dessouky.
The Qatari commited five errors in the first game (4 winners) and 7 errors in the second (still 4 winners) as he went down to his opponent in the sixth fixture of the day.
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