Doha, Qatar: Home hero Abdullah Al Tamimi’s journey at the 2024 Q-Terminals Qatar Classic came to an end yesterday when the country’s top-ranked player went down fighting to former world champion Karim Abdel Gawad. Gawad, the 2016 Qatar Classic champion, was in fine form at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex as he took the opening game 11-7. Al Tamimi, placed 20th in the world, made a comeback in the second game to level the proceedings with a 11-7 score.
However, the Egyptian World No: 6 was too good in the next two games as he quickly got back on top to earn his last eight spot with a 3-1 win (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7) in 46 minutes. “The Qatari audience is very aware of good shots,” Gawad said, acknowledging the support of the spectators after the match. “Thanks to the Qatari crowd who supported him but also cheered for my good shots,” Gawad said.
“Abdulla was on fire today and he can hit winners out of nowhere, so it was hard to read him today,” Gawad credited Al Tamimi for his fighting spirit. Gawad will play World No.2 Mostafa Asal in the quarter-finals.
“It will be a hard match, Mostafa is in good form and won the last two tournaments. I’m playing better squash now too and moving better on the court, so I’m looking forward to it,” Gawad said of his upcoming quarter-final clash. The high-flying Egyptian Asal defeated World Junior Champion Mohamad Zakaria earlier yesterday to make it 12 wins in a row.
Asal stormed to the quarter-final.
