Dubai: Lance Beddoes of New Zealand, Mike Lewis of the US and Ahmad Effat Ashoush of Egypt endured lengthy battles before booking their places in the main competition of the inaugural Dubai Squash Cup.
Ashoush was stretched for over an hour and three minutes for a 3-1 win over Pakistan’s Ahsan Ayaz. The two were involved in a physical and contentious game, with Ashoush using his size and reach against Ayaz’s speed. The result was thorough entertainment and brilliant rallies from the two, which ultimately resulted in victory for the Egyptian.
“I have never played him before. I’m happy with my performance. I needed this win, no matter how hard it was going to be,” Ashoush said.
In another match, American Lewis went the distance before an engaging win over Egypt’s Khalid Mustapha.
Lewis and Mustapha were involved in a match of contrasting styles with the American’s brawler approach taking the match over Mustapha’s precision. Mustapha sent Lewis to every corner, but the American ran out the rallies and deployed his counterdrop effectively.
The third game saw some brilliant shots by both in a fast exchange that ended with a tin shot by Mustapha. Lewis took the game with a gentle corner drop, 11-5, but Mustapha fought back in the fourth game, deftly moving Lewis around the court. The American had enough in the reserve in the fifth game, and despite being down 3-4 went on to take the game and match 11-5.
Beddoes was pitted against Englishman Pablo Rawden in a 60-minute test of endurance that could have gone either way. Ultimately, it came down to the decider and into extra points with Beddoes holding his nerve to advance to the main competition that was scheduled to get under way on Sunday.
The Dubai Squash Cup is Dubai’s first professional tournament of the season. Competition in the main draw was scheduled to get under way from Sunday with 32 players in the fray. The event is powered by A2 Squash with support from the UAE Squash Association.
