R3: Karim 3-1 Greg L

[5] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 3-1 Greg Lobban (SCO)  6-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-7 (38m)

So strange when the players come with their families. At breakfast this morning, I saw Farah, Karim’s wife and their baby boy Youssef, born in July last year, who actually wailed his little bike off the first time he saw me, bless him. And Karim was pushing his bike, completely relaxed, like 2h before his match.

And that’s what makes those events so special for those guys, like Tarek, Ali, and I remember Simon Rosner, Karim Darwish, playing in Gouna with their young families. It’s still hard work, but it’s also a relaxed atmosphere that allows them to be at their best squash level.

Well, Karim not going the best of starters, God love him, Greg was on fire today, and played sublime and fast squash, leaving the Egyptian at 6/6 to quickly score 5 points, 11/6 in 11m. It would be the longest game of the match.

Now complete up for the match, and in exquisite mode, Karim “nous a régalé”, delighted us with the squash only him and maybe Ramy could produce: 11/2, 11/3 in 5 and 6 minutes.

But in the 4th, Karim started to slower the pace a bit, and lost his urgency. Greg, who was very fiery and frustrated with his inability to make a difference in games 2 and 3, took all his chances, managed to get Karim in longer rallies, and played the squash he was able to play, and it was the best game of the match. Fast, accurate, four corners. Loved it.

But 7/7, Karim put his foot down and connected his brain to the racquet, 11/7, 9m.

Great atmosphere on the court and off court, with plenty of non Egyptian Master players and tourists, who were supporting Greg and making it a lovely ‘vibe’…