[12] Aly Abou Eleinen (Egy) 3-1 Mohamed ElSherbini (Egy) 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 (55m)
Aly : I’m feeling good actually.
My body is feeling good and I wanted to elongate the first game, I wanted to get some work into his legs in the first game. I had a nice lead, and whenever I got the chance, I was a bit passive, trying to get the rally longer. In the long run, in the later stages, that would suit me. So maybe I got the balance a little wrong.
But I trusted myself, if I kept putting the work in his legs, the chances would come later on, and that was the plan from the beginning.
Next round, I’m playing with Juan Vargas, he is such a good player, he had a five gamer, and he looked fit so, I’d better be ready. I’ll have a nice day off tomorrow, a nice meal with my family and friends, and I’ll be ready for it.
I am now training with Karim Darwish at Wadi Degla, after a long time working with Hesham Attar. Nothing happened really. Hesham was not only a great coach but also a father figure for years. He gave me so much, not only during my time in college, but after graduating, after spending four years working on the court, he was incredible support. In particular, when I was injured.
But I felt that I had to take the next step.
I was looking for something different. I felt kind of stuck in the same spot for a while, and that wasn’t a problem with the coach, it was more of a problem with myself and the environement I was in. And I wanted to challenge myself to another kind of setting.
Karim was world number 1, he is a top coach, he coached Ali for years, he is coaching Hania, and I felt I needed something different. I’m really excited working with him, he is moving a lot with me on the court, that’s another factor. He is challenging me on the court, we are having faster, more intense sessions.
Add to that, there are so many players at Wadi Degla I can train with, younger and older I can practice with. He can watch me and he is also travelling with me, which makes a big difference. Also, some character building stuff I need to do, and I need someone like Darwish to tell me when I play against the top players.
All those elements suited me more that that stage of my career to move forward, and I’m excited with that partnership.
