R1: Solid from Rafi againt Eiad

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Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Eiad Daoud (EGY)  11-8, 11-3, 11-8 (34m)

German No.1 Raphael Kandra opened up his Palm Hills Squash Open account with a composed three-game victory over tournament Wildcard Eiad Daoud. Kandra, the current World No.36, drew on his experience to keep 17-year-old Daoud at arm’s reach throughout the 33-minute encounter.

Kandra’s consistency proved too much for Daoud in two comfortable opening games, but the young Egyptian began to find his feet as the match entered the third game.

The British Junior Open champion managed to elongate the rallies and put more work into 34-year-old Kandra as he moved point for point up to 8-8 in the third. However, Kandra found some timely winners just as the home favourite began to find some momentum, moving through to take the win by an 11-8, 11-3, 11-8 victory.

Rafi : 

“I’m very happy. A few weeks ago, when I found out my draw, I didn’t know who he was, I didn’t see his ranking, and then I figured out that he played the British Junior Open and won it, so I have already congratulated him on that.

“He’s a 17-year-old, playing his first big event, and I’m experienced nowadays, and I knew I had to just stay calm at the end.

“I was losing a bit of my confidence at the end of the third game, I was going short too early and the quality was not there. Overall, though, I’m happy with the 3-0 win.”