[3] Diego Elias (PER) 3-0 [24] Yahya Elnawasany (EGY) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (44m)
A very interesting game that one.
First, if you haven’t read it, maybe have a look at my report on Yahya last match
A couple of years ago, I was very impressed by the young man, and he seemed to fade away in the sunset. Well, apparently, he had some pretty tough time during that time and he is now back full time, working with Wael El Hindi since November. And he is starting to collect the dividends of his hard work.
Today, Diego was pushed to the four corners. He might have had a little bit of food poisoning, nothing really drastic, but enough to put a bit of pressure on him physically. And our Yahya kept pushing, pushing, playing a superb, fun, fair and intense squash.
First game was 17m, a great start from Diego 4/1, only to be caught out 4/4, 6/6, 7/7. And if Diego’s experience did the talking at the business end, Yahya came as close as 7/8, 8/9, before a winner and a stroke put an end of the opener, 11/8.
If Diego was leading comfortably 8/3, he seemed to really struggle physically at that point, sweating a heck of a lot, and taking more time than he would normally do between serves. And he was a bit lucky that Yahya made a few errors at the right end of the game. Diego, 11/7 in 13m.
A bit of the same scenario in the third to be honest. 7/3 Diego, then a little slowing down from the Peruvian while Yahya was finding his best squash, from 5/9 to 8/9. A superb winner, a backhand straight dropshot and a stroke, it’s match 11/8 in 10m.
Remarkable performance from the contender. I’m so happy he is back at the top, where he belongs…
Yahya
I know I have been playing well those past few months. I had some great matches with players just outside the top ten, with Marwan as well. So I knew that was the next step for me.
I was prepared mentally for the match, unlike the ones I played against top players before. For this one, I was really up for it.
I know I needed one game. Had I taken only one game, it would have changed the match completely. The most difficult game to win is the first one… So yes, a bit disappointed as I thought I was close.
But I’m happy to be getting closer and closer to these guys, and next time, I can turn it and win…
Diego: “Yeah, it was a tough one today against Yahya. He was playing at a very high pace and the conditions were a bit warmer today, so it was a tough one. “I think to be honest I was feeling it from the start. I guess I just need to get used to it.
“It was a lot warmer than a couple days ago but I feel confident I did a lot of work before this tournament. I just need to get used to it and I think I’ll be fine for the rest of the week.
I think I’ll be acclimatising to the heat as the week progresses. I think at least for me that’s how it works and I’m confident that the next two matches are gonna be better.
“Against Zakaria, it’s gonna be a tough one. He’s very hungry and I know he’s gonna come and play his best. I’m just gonna recover and try and be at my 100% in a couple of days.”
