R1: Mohamed passes the Bernat hurdle 3-1
[6] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) 3-1 Bernat Jaume (ESP) 11-13, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 (46m)
A sometimes LOUD match, with both players having a little chat with the ref, and even between themselves, sometimes a bit louder than they should, with testosterone running high, but only to finish like a French soufflé, down and nicely flat, with a smile and a nice handshake.
Boys….
Mohamed : I’m always getting tested these days, Fram, that’s what happens when you get older.
I watched him when he was playing my brother, he beat him before, he plays so much better than his ranking, no way he is playing WR45.
He is soooo good on the backhand side. I was in a lot of trouble on that side. And I kept grinding and grinding around him, you know. I think I was moving really well today actually, and I think if I wasn’t moving as well on this court, I would have been in trouble with anyone.
He was not supposed to be here, he was reserve, the last one to get on the draw, and when you get in a draw like that, there is absolutely no pressure on you. So he just went for it.
I thought we played such a good match, high quality. When I was 8/3 down in that first, when I started to make my way back, to 9/9, I think I started to get an idea of how to win the match. I thought I was in control after losing the first game, from that moment on.
But still, it was not easy. He is such a good friend of mine, we get along really well, I think that sometimes, he gets misunderstood, and when you get to know him, he’s got actually a kind heart.
The first time we ever played, was in training. And he beat me. And he keeps telling me the H2H is 1/0 for him, and now, it’s officially 1/1….
