R2: Ibrahim flair stops Karim’s progression…
Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 3-1 [7] Karim Gawad (EGY) 11-8, 4-11, 12-10, 11-6 (60m)
PSA report
In a highly anticipated clash, Youssef Ibrahim and Karim Gawad took to the court in front of a packed El Gouna Squash Complex crowd, who were expecting quality rallies and outrageous winners. They were not disappointed.
The pair settled into their amazing rhythms in no time at all in the second match of the day and started to try and outmanoeuvre one another to set up attacking chances. Both Gawad and Ibrahim need no invitation to attack the front corners however more of the action was in the back in the first game as Ibrahim took it 11-8.
Former World Champion Gawad responded in true style in the second as he improved his length hitting and started to get in front of the always dangerous Ibrahim. Gawad ran through to win the game 11-4 and level the tie.
The rallies were getting tougher in game three as both players had found their range in all four corners and forced each other into making some brutal movements to stay in the rallies. There was nothing between the two during the third game but it was the younger Egyptian who snuck ahead in the tiebreak to win 12-10 and take the lead.
There was again noting between the two as the fourth game reached the mid stage. Ibrahim dived at 6-5 and after needing an injury break to treat his shoulder returned to the court with renewed vigour. He stormed through the points to win the next five points and secure a place in the quarter finals.
Youssef Ibrahim : In the first two games, neither of us played our best squash at the same time. I think I was better in the first game, he was better in the second
It was kind of exciting because it was all out and attack for both of us, it was just a matter of who was taking the control of the T and attacking a little bit more.
I’m happy that in the third and fourth, we were playing well at the same time, and it produced some very good squash and some good attacking, high pace squash.
I’m really happy with the way I handled losing the 2nd that quickly mentally. I came in the third with a very solid plan with Karim Darwish, we talked about it, play on one side, straight line, don’t open the court too much because he is such a talented player, obviously. So I had to be the one making him move.
Happy with the way I played the third, he came back at me really strong, I think I played the big points much better in the 3rd. A very crucial third game.
I knew he was going to break a little bit in the 4rh, we were still one point at a time until I made it to 6/4, and I think that was a big momentum shift and I thought I was going to pull away with it… until I fell on my shoulder.
Unfortunately, I did something to my shoulder, I know it’s not broken, because I can move it a little bit, happy to have a day off tomorrow to recover.
Happy with the way I changed my game plan when I came back on court after the 3m self inflicted injury break, I took the risk, and I’m happy the risk paid off.
