QF: Youssef at the end of the night against Karim

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[4] Youssef Soliman (EGY) 3-0 Karim El Hammamy (EGY)  11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (50m)

It was past midnight when those two started the match. Ask me how chuffed I was to have them playing a 19m opener???

It was a very attritional first game, with Karim comfortable in the Soliman style of play, both of them patient, accurate, finding excellent width and length. Karim found himself at the wrong end of so many long and gruelling rallies, but never stopped digging in. Youssef was in front, 7/4, 8/5 taking the game 11/7.

Karim more assertive in the second, 3/0, but we are back to 4/4, 5/5, with Soliman scoring the next 6 points, 11/5 in 13m. It will be about the same scenario in the 3rd, from 3/3, 5 points in a row for Youssef, who closes the game and match 11/5.

Very fair, two honest players, fluid squash, more of that please….

Youssef : “Karim and I are sharing the same coach now. We actually trained twice last week. We didn’t know that we’d be playing each other, but I’m very happy for him to be playing well. Wishing him good luck for the last tournament of the season.

“I started [the season] well, there was a dip, and then now I feel like I’m getting back in shape.

“I’m happy with the way I performed last week in the Worlds. I’m just looking forward to the semi-finals.”