Final
[2] Karim Gawad 3-2 [1] Tarek Momen 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 8-11, 11-4 (72m)
PSA report
In the all-Egyptian QSF 2 2025 final, it was Karim Abdel Gawad who took the spoils, beating compatriot and top seed Tarek Momen in the final in five games.
Both players claimed four game victories in the semi-finals against Fares Dessouky and Declan James so came into yesterday’s final fresh and ready to give it their all for the title.
Despite Momen’s many victories on the Khalifa Squash Complex’s glass court, it was Gawad who started the better of the two and looked to have settled into his silky smooth rhythm very early, which spelt danger for top seed Momen. After winning the first game but conceding the second 12-10, Gawad got back to winning ways and again took the game 11-4 to lead 2-1.
Former World Champion Momen is a fighter however and was never going to go down without a fight. The World No.6 battled back in the fourth, eventually closing it out 11-8 to send the final into a decider.
The No.2 seed Gawad showed his experience and class racing to an early 5-0 lead. From there, Momen was never able to recover. ‘The Baby-Faced Assassin’ won 11-4 in the fifth game to claim a 27th career title and first of the season.
Semis
[2] Karim Gawad 3-1 [3] Fares Dessouky 13-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2 (52m)
[1] Tarek Momen 3-1 Declan James (ENG) 11-6, 5-11, 11-4, 11-2 (37m)
The finalists of the QSF 2 2025 have been confirmed after top seeds Tarek Momen and Karim Abdel Gawad claimed comprehensive victories over Fares Dessouky and Declan James, respectively.
The bottom half semi-final was up first as an all-Egyptian battle entertained the Doha crowd. Dessouky has the capabilities to beat anyone on his day and Gawad was certainly aware of this. The former World Champion used his tactical prowess to pin Dessouky into difficult positions and used his experience to close out a crucial opener 13-11.
Dessouky battled back to take game two 11-8, but Gawad didn’t panic as he reverted back to his tried and trusted line and length followed by a backhand drop, which worked a treat as he won 11-7, 11-2 to take his place in the final.
Top seed Tarek Momen was next up, facing the surprise package of the tournament, Declan James. The tall Englishman had already downed two top eight seeds en route to the last four and was determined to scalp a top 10 player. The pair split the opening two games with both showing their quality in different periods.
Momen grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck in games three and four however and really started to work James into the front corners on a consistent basis. This pressure proved to be too much for James as Momen captured them 11-4, 11-2 to reach another final at the Khalifa Squash Centre.
Quarters
[2] Karim Gawad 3-1 [7] Mohamad Zakaria 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5 (48m)
[1] Tarek Momen 3-0 Yahya Elnawasany 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (34m)
[3] Fares Dessouky 3-0 [5] Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (34m)
Round Two
[7] Mohamad Zakaria 3-0 Abhay Singh (IND) 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (38m)
[1] Tarek Momen 3-0 George Parker (ENG) 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 (44m)
Yahya Elnawasany 3-0 [8] Mohamed ElSherbini 11-5, 14-12, 11-6 (44m)
Round One
Patrick Rooney (ENG) 3-0 Karim El Hammamy 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 (46m)
Yahya Elnawasany3-2 Aly Hussein 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6 (73m)
Declan James (ENG) 3-1 Moustafa Elsirty 11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6 (58m)
George Parker (ENG) 3-2 Ibrahim Elkabbani 10-12, 11-2, 11-4, 9-11, 11-1 (54m)
