Semis
[7] Fares Dessouky 3-2 [8] Mazen Hesham 12-10, 9-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4 (72m)
Fares
“It was a very tough match, Mazen is one of the most talented players on tour, he’s always very tricky, we’ve grown up playing together and have been playing since we were about nine, when we were hitting a few days ago we were remembering these times. It was always going to be a tough match and today was no different. I hope he stays injury-free because he’s one of the top guys for sure.
“There was a lot of on and offs In the game, it depends on the fitness and game plans, he was playing very well with his game plan then mine started to work so lots of ups and downs.
“He’s going to make me look silly on court with his shots so I have to play a few of my own.
“It’s going to be a tough match for sure. Asal is younger and coming up and playing very well, Diego has been playing very well since he’s been back too so it’s going to be a tough one but I hope they go to five like I did.”
Quarters
[8] Mazen Hesham 2-0 [9/16] Victor Crouin (FRA) 11-3, 11-3 (20m)
[7] Fares Dessouky (EGY) 3-0 [3] Tarek Momen 11-6, 10-12, 11-3 (42m)
[2] Mostafa Asal 2-1 [6] Joel Makin (WAL) 11-9, 11-13, 11-8 (95m)
Mostafa
“First of all, guys, you are making squash very exciting. I’m very excited to play here, I love the way you are cheering, it’s like a football match”
“Everything hurts. Joel is unbelievable, to be back and to compete at that level is never easy, the guys are so powerful and strong, they compete in every tournament and you get the fitness level up. I have been training hard for two months, four or five hours a day, but you can’t replicate match level, I’m happy to be back, only two matches until I get the trophy and I’m going to do it.
Fares
“The last tournament I played the same way and I was 2-1 up and there was a lot of talking in that match. I don’t know if it’s weird decisions or I’m playing a different sport, but I don’t have the line I want to go to the shot and he’s in my way and every time there’s interference and it’s affecting my focus on the court. I was 2-1 up last time and the same thing happened. So I guess I have to learn from my mistakes.
“Best of five you’re more relaxed, even today I was so nervous and even in the second game I was 10-7 up and I was so nervous and wanted to give it everything in the third and not start thinking about losing because I will lose for sure if I think like this so, I needed to stay in a positive mindset.
Mazen
“Me and Fares have been sharing the courts around the world together for so long, and people compare our styles and I think we bring a lot to squash. We don’t train as much in Cairo, he lives in Alexandria and I’m In Cairo but I think we’re better off playing competitive matches rather than training.”
“We’ve been unlucky with injuries and it’s great to see Fares playing well and we’re both healthy, finally. It’s going to be tough, we know each other pretty well and I hope tomorrow I bring my A-game and let’s see what we can do tomorrow.
Round Two
[7] Fares Dessouky 2-0 Miguel Rodriguez (COL) 11-7, 11-9 (30m)
[3] Tarek Momen 2-1 Adrian Waller (ENG) 12-14, 11-8, 11-6 (37m)
[8] Mazen Hesham2-0 Patrick Rooney (ENG) 11-9, 11-9 (32m)
[2] Mostafa Asal 2-0 Nathan Lake (ENG) 11-9, 11-9 (42m)
Mazen
Tarek
“Adrian played really well today, he was really sharp apart from a few errors here and there but he was really sharp and taking the ball early. I, on the other hand, couldn’t get the ball to the back of the court for some reason, it’s no excuse for a professional player to not be able to adapt for three games but I think I got better in the end, I found some length and had some good winners and made some errors as well. He helped me a little bit with some errors at crucial times but overall I think he played well, and I kept improving which is a good thing.
“It’s always tough to play best of three, playing a tricky player like Adrian, there’s a lot of pressure on me being the higher seed but I’m happy that I handled my nerves and eventually got to sneak the win in the end.
“I don’t forgive you guys for the double bounce, thanks for reminding me, maybe because I was on court, but I thought it was two and a half bounces, but I’ll watch it back and see. It wouldn’t affect the outcome of the game because he won 14 points and one point is on me so it’s okay.
“I can’t take credit for everything, Raneem has been amazing, she helps me so much, she really carries the burden of Shahir [Momen’s son], and the most difficult thing is going away when they’re not with me because I just want to cuddle with the little one, I took them to Chicago with me which was really fun. Back home when I’m training I try to spend a lot of time at home with them, I basically just go to training and then home, I don’t mess around anymore, I just go home because I want to be with them so much.
“I just texted her [Nour El Tayeb] after the match to tell her that it’s incredible what he’s been able to achieve, to be able to return to this form in only five months, I have no idea how she managed to do that. Even if she had lost to Hania today it’s still an amazing achievement.”
Fares
“Today was a very good match. It was very testing, Miguel played very well, he’s very entertaining, I always enjoy playing him and he’s a good friend of mine and it’s always nice to play a very clean match.
“I’m feeling very well, I started moving really well and smooth so I’m happy, I’m still gaining confidence throughout the matches so this is the best thing.
“I’m very happy to be here, I always enjoy this tournament. I’ve been in the final before and I’m hoping to be there again.”
Round One
Patrick Rooney (ENG) 2-0 Mohamed ElSherbini 11-8, 11-9 (29m)
Baptiste Masotti (Fra) 2-0 Moustafa El Sirty v 14-12, 14-12 (37m)
This year’s Canary Wharf Squash Classic returns to its usual dates of March, with World No.4 Mostafa Asal as #2, hoping to get the lion share of the $110,000 in total player prize compensation.
The 20-year-old, a quarter finalist on his Canary Wharf debut in November 2021, has a difficult path to the final, with the likes of France’s Gregoire Marche, Welshman Joel Makin and Peru’s Diego Elias all standing in his way.
Once again, the Canary Wharf Squash Classic will use a best-of-three games scoring format up to and including the quarter-finals, before reverting to best-of-five scoring for the semi finals and final.
