Pakistan Open Squash C’ship-December 2-10

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Pakistan Open Squash C’ship from December 2

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Bank Alfalah Pakistan Open Squash Championship, carrying a cash prize of $85,000, will be played at the Mushaf Squash Complex here from December 2 to 10, announced Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) vice president Rashid Kaleem during a press conference on Monday. He said the world’s top ranking players were likely to feature in the tournament. “Top players will be in Qatar for World Open Squash Championship from November 29 to December 3, and we hope most of them will take part in the Pakistan Open as well,” he added.

He said the pre-qualifying round would be held on December 2-3 while the main qualifying round, to complete the main draw of 32 players, on December 4-5. “The main round of 32 players will be played from December 6 to 10.” He said adequate arrangements had been put in place to make the event a big success. “Negotiations are going on to decide two co-sponsors for the championship in addition to main sponsors and a final decision in this regard will be made very soon.” He said Fazl had been named tournament director while Tariq Mehmood would coordinate with the media during the tournament.

Rashid also named 12 boys – three each for four age categories – and two girls for the British Open Junior Squash Championships to be played in Sheffield, England, from November 29 to December 5.

He said Yasir Butt, Farhan Mehboob and Basit Ashfaq would feature in the Under-19 category, Aamir Atlas, Alamzed Junior and Adnan Khan in the Under-17 category, Waqar Mehboob, Shoaib Hasan and Asif Khan in the Under-15 and Danish Atlas, Farhan Zaman, Ali Ayub would vie for the top honours in the Under-13 age group. “Maria Toor and Sara Awan are the two first Pakistani girls to take part in British Open Junior girls’ Under-19 category. The girls and boys have been selected after open trials,” he said.

The PSF official said two Pakistani pairs comprising Mansoor Zaman-Shahid Zaman and Farhan Mehboob-Safeerullah would take part in World Doubles Championship to be played in Chennai, India, from December 13 to 17.

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World’s top three to miss Pakistan Open squash
ISLAMABAD: The world's top three squash players will miss next month's Pakistan Open but their absence will not take the sheen off the event, organisers said Sunday.World number one Lee Beachill of England, number two Thierry Lincou of France and number three Peter Nicol of England did not enter the $64,000 event here from December 6 to 10. "Obviously the absence of world top three players is something we never wanted but none of these players pulled out due to any security fears," said Pakistan Squash Federation secretary Zulfiqar Ahmed.

"They have the right to chose any event to play," he said. A string of attacks in Pakistan in recent years has affected cricket tours, with New Zealand cutting short a tour in 2002 after a bombing and Australia and the West Indies later choosing not to visit due to security concerns.Pakistan had hoped that all the world's top squash players would come to Islamabad after the November 29-December 3 World Open in Doha, Qatar. The current top three were in Pakistan for the World Open in Lahore last year. Australian David Palmer, ranked four in the world and current British Open and former world champion, is the top seed in the Pakistan Open draws.

He faces tough competition from second seed Scot John White and sixth seeded Canadian Jonathan Power, the Pakistan Open defending champion. Palmer will play Azlan Iskander of Malaysia while Power, world number nine, will face countryman Shahier Razzik in the first round matches. Pakistan will have only two players in the main round of 32 with Mansoor Zaman facing number nine seed James Willstrop of England and wild card entrant Yasir Butt squaring off with number three seed Nick Matthew of England. Egyptian Amr Shabana, who will defend his World Open title in Qatar next week, is seeded fourth in the Pakistan Open and plays a qualifier in the first round. afp

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan : Dec 05 (PNS) -
Amjad Khan, a former Pakistan Open champion back in 1998 and now trying to make a come back in the professional circuit, was again in the limelight on the opening day of the Bank Alflah Pakistan Open Squash Championships qualifying when he upset the fellow Pakistani and world number 55 Farrukh Zaman at the Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex Courts in Islamabad on Saturday. Also crashing out on day one qualifying round was Bradley Ball of England, retired hurt against Pakistan's Khawaja Adil Maqbool. He was one of the nine foreign players entered in the qualifying round of 32. Amjad Khan took little over half an hour to beat the third ranked fellow compatriot in four games. He won the opening game 11-10 but lost the second 7-11. He won the third game conceding 7 points and moved into the next round by winning the fourth game and the match 11-8.

While Shahid Zaman, the nationally ranked number two and world ranked number 42, had an easy victory, another Zaman, Bilal, crashed out, beaten by England's Joey Barrington, the son of legendary Jonah Barrington in four games, 11-6, 9-11, 11-2, 11-6. Shahid didn't take that long to whip fellow Pakistani Waqar Mehboob in straight games 11-8, 11-3, 11-4 to move into the next round. Zubair Ali Khan, an experienced Pakistani in the professional circuit was given a good fight by young Safeerullah Khan before winning in five games 8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 6-11, 11-10 while Majid Khan, currently ranked world number 54 won against Asghar Khan in straight games 11-6, 11-7,11-10.

Australian Cameron Pilley, Englishman Jonathan Kemp, Gavin Jones of Wales and Laurens Jan Anjema of the Netherlands also managed to win their first qualifying matches. Cameron beat the local star and national ranked number 11 Khalid Atlas Khan in straight games 11-4, 11-7, 11-5, Welshman Gavin easily breezed through over little known Jehanzeb Masood also in straight games 11-2, 11-6, 11-4, Englishman Jonathan won against Basit Ashfaq retired hurt and Anjema beat Pakistan's Aaqib Hanif 11-6, 10-11, 11-7, 11-6. Eight spots are up for grab into the main round of the Championships beginning Monday, December 6. Mansoor Zaman faces the number 9 seed Englishman James Willstrop in the first match while Yasir faces an up hill battle against another Englishman Nick Matthew.

A premier event of Pakistan's squash calendar, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) sanctioned tournament this year carries a cash prize of US$ 100,000. Australia's David Palmer, currently ranked world number 4 was the top seed in the 32 men draw. Pakistan's Yasir Butt, currently ranked world number 84, was the wild card entry while Mansoor Zaman, currently ranked world number 26 was the only other home player having a direct entry into the main round.

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan : Dec 07 (PNS) -
On the opening day of the season ending Bank Alflah Pakistan Open Squash Championships, hometown Zaman heroes Mansoor and Shahid, along with Shamsul Islam Khan had sensational upset wins in the first round at the Mushaf Ali Meer Shaheed Squash Complex Courts in Islamabad on Monday.

The much talked about one time former Pakistan Open winner Amjad Khan, wild card entrant Yasir Butt and qualifiers Khayal Muhammad and Farhan Mehboob were shown the early exit door by their opponents.

A day of upsets was witnessed by the cheering squash enthusiasts at the far flung newly built squash complex as Mansoor Zaman cousin Shahid Zaman and qualifier Shamsul Islam Khan emerged heroes for Pakistan by eliminating seeded players from Australia, England and Malaysia, in a grueling thriller, all going full length of five games.

But the biggest win of the day turned out to be that of qualifier Shahid Zaman, currently ranked world number 42, who pulled through a sensational upset against the number 9 seed Englishman Adrian Grant.

After losing the first game 6-11, Shahid played superbly in the second and managed to win the game 11-10 (3-1) to level the score 1-1. In the third game, Shahid went on the attack right from the beginning as Grant made crucial errors and soon the game was over in favor of the Pakistani, who conceded 4 points. There was big applause from the crowd as Shahid took the lead. The fourth game, however, was a reverse of what was seen in the third game as Grant powered his way to level the score 2-2 by winning the game 11-4.

Shahid, backed by the packed crowd, started offensively in the fifth game and once he built a good lead never looked back. Grant found it difficult to keep pace with the attacking game by the Pakistani youngster and soon it was over as Shahid breezed through into the next round winning the fifth and final game and the match 11-3.

Shahid's cousin Mansoor, world ranked number 26, upset the number 12 seed Australian Dan Jenson, also in five games. While Shahid had lost the opening game against Grant, Mansoor had won the first game against the Australian 11-6 and lost the second one 8-11.

The third game saw the two players fighting for every point as lead changed hands couple of time but in the end it was Mansoor who won 11-10 (3-1). Jenson, who had all the rich professional experience at his disposal, excelled in the fourth game and finished it quickly by winning 11-4. In the fifth and final game, squash of high quality was witnessed as both fought a grim battle for points but Mansoor managed to pull through to move into the next round with the score of 11-9.

Shamsul Islam Khan, currently ranked world number 82, caused yet another upset when he overpowered the number 16 seed and world ranked number 22 Malaysian Muhammad Azlan Iskandar 3-2 before moving into the next round of last 16. Shams won 11-6, 4-11,

11-7, 8-11, 11-4.

Top ranked Australian David Palmer had no difficulty against Pakistan's Khayal Muhammad and won his first round match conceding just 7 points in three games, 11-2, 11-3, 11-2.

Another Australian, Joseph Kneipp, the number 6 seed, proved too good for Amjad Khan, the nephew of Jansher Khan and the 1998 Pakistan Open champion, who has recently been trying a comeback, was shown the exit door in three straight games 11-4, 11-6, 11-4. So did Frenchman Renan Lavigne, the number 14 seed, easily winning against the world ranked number 84 wild card entrant Yasir Butt 11-8, 11-7, 11-6. Mark Chaloner of England, the number 15 seed was also a winner over another Pakistani qualifier Farhan Mehboob in straight games 11-9, 11-5, 11-10.

Other first round winners were Amr Shabana (Egypt) over Joey Barrington (England), Jonathan Power (Canada) over Peter Barker (England), Muhammad Abbas over Hisham Ashour in an all Egyptian affair, Karim Darwish (Egypt) over Shehiar Razik (Canada), Anthony Ricketts (Australia) over Jonathan Kemp (England), Gregory Gaultier (France) over Laurens Jan Anjema (Netherlands), Nick Matthew (England) walk over Davide Bianchetti.

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CP) - Canadian Jonathon Power defeated top-seeded David Palmer of Australia 11-7, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7 Wednesday in the quarter-finals of the Bank Alfalah Pakistan Open squash championship. The win by Power, seeded fifth, avenged a pair of losses to Palmer. Power, the defending champion from Montreal, takes on Australian Anthony Ricketts in the semifinal. Ricketts, the 10th seed who is looking for his first win over the Canadian, upset No. 7 Gregory Gaultier of France 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6.

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Willstrop & Ricketts
In Pakistan Final

The Islamabad crowd was treated to dramatic upsets in both of today's semi-finals of the Bank Alfalah Pakistan Open Squash Championship at the Mushaf Squash Complex when England's James Willstrop toppled second-seeded compatriot Nick Matthew in straight games and Australia's Anthony Ricketts pulled off his career-first win over fifth seed Jonathon Power, the defending champion from Canada.When they last met on the PSA Tour, in the Swedish Open in February, Nick Matthew beat fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop. But the tall, 6' 4", former world junior champion from Pontefract, the eighth seed, was in sparkling form today as he defeated Matthew 11-4 11-5 11-5 in 30 minutes to reach his first PSA Super Series final.

"It feels wonderful when everything comes together," Willstrop told Framboise Gommendy of www.squashsite.co.uk. "But the thing is, for me, it's not a great win, it's just 'I need to do that again tomorrow', because I think I've got a chance to win this tournament. So, I'm just going to call home, and then that will be the last I speak with anyone until tomorrow."Ricketts put behind him three losses to Power since October to triumph over the greatest North American player of all-time 11-9 11-10 7-11 1-11 11-7 in 79 minutes.The 25-year-old from Sydney, who was out of action for the first half of the year following knee surgery, is rapidly regaining the form which took him to a career-high world No6 just over a year ago. Ricketts has never played Willstrop before. The Islamabad crowd is sure to witness a classic debut encounter as both players seek a maiden Pakistan Open title.

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Semi-finals:
[10] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [5] Jonathon Power (CAN) 11-9, 11-10 (3-1), 7-11, 1-11, 11-7 (79m)
[8] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 (30m)

Quarter-finals:
[5] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt [1] David Palmer (AUS) 11-7, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7 (50m)
[10] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [7] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6 (50m)
[8] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [3] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-9, 11-7 ret. (20m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] Shahid Zaman (PAK) 11-5, 7-11, 10-11 (1-3), 11-3, 11-6 (62m)

2nd round:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt Mansoor Zaman (PAK) 11-9, 11-8, 3-11, 11-8 (45m)
[5] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt [11] Mohammed Abbas (EGY) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 (38m)
[10] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [4] Karim Darwish (EGY) 9-11, 11-6, 11-10 (3-1), 10-11 (1-3), 11-2 (62m)
[7] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [14] Renan Lavigne (FRA) 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8 (66m)
[8] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-7, 11-4, 11-1 (19m)
[3] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [15] Mark Chaloner (ENG) 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3 (41m)
[Q] Shahid Zaman (PAK) bt [6] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) 11-9, 11-7, 11-3 (35m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] Shamsul Islam Khan (PAK) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (33m)

1st round:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [Q] Khayal Muhammad (PAK) 11-2, 11-3, 11-2 (14m)
Mansoor Zaman (PAK) bt [12] Dan Jenson (AUS) 11-6, 8-11, 11-10 (3-1), 4-11, 11-9 (65m)
[5] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt Peter Barker (ENG) 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5 (43m)
[11] Mohammed Abbas (EGY) bt Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 (27m)
[4] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 (26m)
[10] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [Q] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) 11-2, 11-8, 11-4 (19m)
[7] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [Q] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (46m)
[14] Renan Lavigne (FRA) bt Yasir Butt (PAK) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (32m)
Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [13] Ong Beng-Hee (MAS) 10-11 (1-3), 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7 (66m)
[8] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Alex Gough (WAL) 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3 (41m)
[15] Mark Chaloner (ENG) bt [Q] Farhan Mehboob (PAK) 11-9, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0) (31m)
[3] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [Q] Joey Barrington (ENG) 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 (37m)
[Q] Shahid Zaman (PAK) bt [9] Adrian Grant (ENG) 6-11, 11-10 (3-1), 11-4, 4-11, 11-3 (69m)
[6] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) bt [Q] Amjad Khan (PAK) 11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (18m)
[Q] Shamsul Islam Khan (PAK) bt [16] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) 11-6, 4-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4 (38m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 11/8, 11/3, 1/0 rtd

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Willstrop Wins Pakistan Open Title

England's James Willstrop claimed the biggest squash title of his career today when he beat Australia's Anthony Ricketts in the final of the $85,000 Bank Alfalah Pakistan Open Championship at the Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad.It was the 21-year-old Yorkshireman's first appearance in a PSA Super Series event final. After dropping the first game against the former world No6 from Sydney, eighth seed Willstrop powered to a 6-11 11-9 11-10 11-3 victory in 58 minutes.

Chief Guest at the final - only the second in the event's 20-year history not to feature Pakistani interest - was Mr Shaukat Aziz, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The two players arrived at the event's climax in contrasting styles: Ricketts, the tenth seed, took more than three hours to upset fourth seed Karim Darwish, seventh seed Gregory Gaultier and fifth seed and defending champion Jonathon Power in the previous three rounds - while Willstrop, the former world junior champion, brushed aside his three opponents, including the 2003 world champion Amr Shabana and No2 seed Nick Matthew, in less than 70 minutes.

"I think he played the right game," Ricketts conceded to Framboise Gommendy of www.squashsite.co.uk. "He manages to get winners in there I couldn't do anything about. And I felt physically flat, after all that court time, and they were all hard games. I had a couple of games points in the third, that normally I would have taken, but today, I was just flat, out of energy."A delighted Willstrop was quick to heap praise on others afterwards: "I want to thank two people back home that have helped me. Damon Brown, who has helped me get fit, and my brother David Campion. And of course, my coach, my father, the man who has made me the player that I am, Malcolm Willstrop."

Willstrop's Islamabad success rounds off a sensational year for the Pontefract prodigy. The Pakistan Open brings to twelve the number of PSA tour events in which he has competed this year - all of which he has achieved his seeding, and six of which he has exceeded his predicted finish.