R2: Solid Karim ousts Fares for a 1st victory in PSA

Posted on by

Karim El Hammamy (EGY) 3-1 [5] Fares Dessouky  11-8, 3-11, 11-3, 11-5 (64m)

Those two have only played twice on PSA, both matches going to Fares actually. But their most famous encounter was of course the final of the World Juniors, a bit of an intense match, that ended with Karim becoming word junior Champion.

Today, I feel that the key is the first game: 22m of very hard low pace/mid pace squash, where Karim was able to impose his squash, patient, relentless, accurate and straight. If Karim was struggling to end the rallies sometimes, he still managed to find a few nice shots that put the Alexandrian player too far away from the ball.

Fares did play some great shots of course, his volleying still flowing and his mixing of shots as lethal as usual. And when he was in charge of the rallies, like in the second, Karim couldn’t do much to contain the storm.

But unfortunately for him, with the power and the high percentage shots comes a high number of errors. 7 points given away in the 3rd alone (6 tins and a stroke). The tiredness started to show from the start of the 3rd in fact, even if Fares kept on fighting.

Karim kept controlling the 4th, mid pace, relentless and patient, and Fares looked drained, after only one hour game, which is a bit worrying as he is normally much more resistant. Maybe an injury recovery? But for now, Karim takes his first ever victory against Fares, on  the PSA tour…

 

Karim El Hammamy

“Me and Fares have played many times ever since being Juniors. The last win that I had over him was over 10 years ago in the World Junior Championships final in Poland. Since then, I couldn’t beat him anymore.

“He’s such a good player and was in the top ten in the world for a while. Only the injuries stopped him from being there. So, being able to beat him again is something that I should be proud of. It shows up the good work that I have been doing the last few months.

“Getting the ball past Fares from the middle of the court was key. He’s such a good volleyer, and such a skilful player with the racket. If you let him play from the middle at the box levels, he’s going to be unbeatable. So you have got to find a way to get him in the back of the court.”