Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 3-1 Joseph White (AUS) 14-16, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (50m)
next opponent: Youssef Soliman
Yahya : I had never played Jo before, but I saw him play a couple of matches in the Hyder Trophy last week, and also in the Canadian Open. So I knew that he was fast and enjoyed lengthy rallies. So I tried to go a lot to the front.
But in the first game, I hit so many tins, maybe 8 or 9! I was too excited, too quick too early!
I settled down in the second, and played a lower percentage squash.
I was fast today on the court, volleying a lot, on the ball fast, but maybe not as accurate as I can be. First match of the tournament, the Worlds, a lot of pressure. But I feel that my speed made the difference on court today.
I think he got tired from the pace I was imposing, and got tired at the end of the second, and that made my life much easier from that point on.
Youssef Soliman and I we share the same coach. I’m training with Karim Fathy but also with Hesham El Attar, and that’s the coach we have in common. Youssef is also a very good friend of mine, a sparring partner. So it’s going to be a fun match.
