Tamimi leads Qatar challenge in PSA World Squash
QATAR’S top squash player and world number 47 Abdulla al Tamimi will lead the home contingent when he takes to the court against Gregiore Marche in Round 1 of the PSA Men’s World Championship 2019-2020 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Friday.
Also in action for Qatar is Hamad al Amri who faces a tought challenge against fourth-ranked Paul Coll of New ealand. yed Azlan Amjad will take on Iker Bernabeu who defeated Tamimi in the Qatar Circuit No. 5 Squash Tournament in 2017.
Depsite the home stars, the spotlight will no doubt be on world number two and topranked Egyptian Mohammed ElShorbagy.
The Beast’ as he is fondly called has lifted the China Open and Oracle NetSuite Open titles. He also got to the final of the US Open.
The absence of defending champion Ali Farag following the loss of his nephew has put ElShorbagy, world champion in Manchester two years ago, in prime position for the title.
ElShorbagy, who will play his first round match on the glass court against fast-rising French star Victor Crouin, said he loves coming to Doha for the Championship.
“Qatar has a special place in my heart and I love going back there. I would try and play really well there just like everyone else,” the 28-yearold told the Professional Squash Association’s (PSA) SquashTV.
The three-time Qatar Classic champion also reflected on his past matches with the legendary Ramy Ashour who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of squash.
“How many of us can say that they took Ramy that far I was only a point away from winning, but when I look back, I tell myself, I have been part of not just any World Championships final but a match that will be a part of the history of the sport. I look at it positively. I always have this faith that anything that happens to me is for my own good,” he said.
Another Egyptian who is tipped to be a finalist is Tarek Momen. The 31-year-old will hope to have a rematch with ElShorbagy after falling to his counterpart at the Oracle Open final and US Open semis this year.
The Championships will run from November 8-15.