[1] Ali Farag (EGY) 3-0 Curtis Malik (ENG) 12-10, 11-3, 11-7 (35m)
PSA reports
World No.1 Ali Farag proved too strong for England’s Curtis Malik in their first-ever meeting on the PSA World Tour, advancing to the quarter-finals in three games.
Malik showed no signs of fatigue from his 85-minute effort yesterday in the early stages, pushing Farag all the way to a first-game tie-break. However, as has become custom in recent years, the Egyptian moved through the gears when it mattered, taking the first game 12-10.
From there, Farag began to dominate proceedings to a greater extent, taking control of the ’T’ and forcing Malik into some tough physical efforts.
The four-time World Champion took the second game 11-3 and kept his foot down on the pedal in the third, walking off court victorious after 35 minutes of action.
Curtis
I tried to get him back as much as possible but I didn’t manage to do much of that, and I’m pretty disappointed to be honest. He took the ball so early, it’s a question of getting used to that level of volley in the middle of the court, and how to get across more consistently, because when I did, I actually got to the front and was able to use my weapons.
But other than that, I didn’t really get in front.
Obviously yesterday was a big win, more in the sense that it was Omar’s home club, and the mental side of it, because I have been to the wrong side of a few 3/2 this season, it’s nice to go over one.
And I guess it’s a first playing Ali, it’s going to feel even harder and probably the next time, so… it’s just a question of getting used to what he is doing and next time, I’ll know what to go on with.
“The first was really tough. The players who played in the first round get a little bit of court advantage, and I thought Curtis was finding his corners a lot better than me in the first. I had to dig it out, and thankfully I won the first.
Ali
“I tried to break his rhythm in the second, keep it simple. Credit to him, he came back in the third, but I was so happy to close it out.
“This time around, I definitely hope to lift the title, but I still have a long road ahead of me. Miguel, I didn’t watch it, but he must have played so well to beat Tarek, so I have to be on my mettle and take advantage of the home support.
“We don’t often get to play in front of our families, our friends, and our coaches, so I’m very grateful to them, and hopefully, I’ll pay them back tomorrow.”
