Round Two continues at the Black Ball Sporting Club, and today it’s the bottom half of the draw, eight matches to see who will progress to Round Three, the last sixteen.
Mosaad and Asal in mighty double Egyptian upset
The second day of round two action produced two huge five game upsets – both won by Egyptians – as Omar Mosaad overcame fifth seed Miguel Rodriguez, and in an epic final match of the day world junior champion Mostafa Asal beat Declan James.
The day started with a comeback from France’s Gregoire Marche, who looked bemused and dispirited as Hong Kong’s Leo Au went two up, weaving Marche into his web. But having sneaked the third Marche took control, and lat in the fifth Au started cramping up, and after collapsing at 3-9 conceded and had to be helped off court.
Fourth seed Simon Rosner was tested in the first by Scot Alan Clyne, but was largely untroubled in the next two games, and sixth seed Paul Coll always had the edge on Todd Harrity.
Chris Simpson scored the only English win of the day as he survived a tough five-setter against Zahed Salem – although Chris could have made it easier for himself if he’d capitalised on a 9-7 lead in the fourth.
Then came Mosaad’s see-saw victory. The big Egyptian took a tough first before Rodriguez stormed back to level. Same again as the next two games were shared, and at times in the decider Mosaad looked spent, but he pressed on, getting the reward with Rodriguez finally unable to respond. Read the Full Report
Saurav Ghosal and second seed Ali Farag were comfortable winners against Karim Ali Fathi and Lucas Serme, setting up the big finale.
Asal got the better of a fierce opening game, squandering a 10-8 lead but finally taking it 15-13, but when James stormed back to take next two games quickly it looked like the Englishman’s day. But Mostafa wasn’t having that, upped the pace and started hitting even harder as he fought his way back to set up a decider.
Mostafa surged ahead in the fifth, thanks to some incredible already-behind-him retrievals and some gargantuan efforts – three “dives” in one rally. Declan levelled at 8-all but two quick point put Mostafa on the bring, and he converted on the first opportunity to delight his adoring jevenile crowd. Read the Full Report
Gregoire Marche (Fra) 3-2 Leo Au (Hkg) 7-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-3, 9-3 rtd (74m)
[4] Simon Rosner (Ger) 3-0 Alan Clyne (Sco) 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 (31m)
Chris Simpson (Eng) 3-2 Zahed Salem (Egy) 11-7, 5-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 (75m)
[6] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-0 Todd Harrity (Usa) 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 (35m)
Omar Mosaad (Egy) 3-2 [5] Miguel Rodriguez (Col) 11-6, 2-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8 (79m)
Saurav Ghosal (Ind) 3-0 Karim Ali Fathi (Egy) 11-3, 11-1, 13-11 (36m)
[2] Ali Farag (Egy) 3-0 Lucas Serme (Fra) 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (30m)
Mostafa Asal (Egy) 3-2 Declan James (Eng) 15-13, 4-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8 (89m)
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