CAS International Squash Championship: Mostafa upsets Lobban to face Youssef in final

ISLAMABAD: World junior champion Mostafa Asal has come to the party in senior circuit toppling the top seed Greg Lobban (Scotland) in an emphatic style in the semifinals of the $ 30,000 Serena-CAS Open at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex Thursday.

Mostafa took 46 minutes to account for world No 27 and top seed Scottish 11-5, 5-11, 11-3, 11-8 to announce his entry into top squash in a big way. The 17-year old showed immense control in the court that even surprised Lobban.

After losing the first game rather easily, Lobban gave his heart out in the second, making every effort to make a match out of it. His efforts bore fruit as he raced to decisive lead with couple of good nicks and boast shots to take the second. It was all Lobban had against Mostafa who was seen growing in confident with each game.

Lobban was no way near to Mostafa quality in the third. Though the Scottish stayed in the business till the very end in the fourth, the youngster finished the match with couple of rasping shots down the court.

“I am excited to have won against one of the leading circuit pro. He is good and played well. I am working hard ever since I won the world junior crown last year. The result today is very much an outcome of my hard work and training,” Mostafa told The News after the semis.He said though junior title was the start of his career, his effort would be to make a name in senior circuit. “The future lies in senior circuit.” The youngster would be seen playing the title match against his countryman and world No 28 Youssef Saliman who showed no mercy for Karim Ali Fathi (Egypt) during his comprehensive 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6 win.

The ladies event also saw some exciting, neck and neck tussle with Farida Mohamed (Egypt) securing win against her country women Sana Ibrahim 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 17-19, 11-9. The match saw some rough battle between the two with Farida proving to be more aggressive in her attitude. The fourth game was really exciting with both refusing to budge. Sana ultimately won the fourth to take the game in fifth. The final game saw Farida controlling the game in a much better way.

She would now meet Swiss girl Cindy Merlo who turned out to be luckier to beat her Korean opponent Jihyun Lee 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10. Korean girl had her chances and was seen leading on most of the occasion during the last three but could hold on to her lead. Finals will be played on Friday afternoon.

Results of CAS Open: Mostafa Asal (Egypt) bt Greg Lobban (Scotland) 11-5, 5-11, 11-3, 11-8. Youssef Soliman (Egypt) bt Karim Ali Fathi (Egypt) 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6.

Women event: Farida Mohammed (Egypt) bt Sana Ibrahim (Egypt) 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 17-19, 11-9; Cindy Merlo (Switzerland) bt Jihyun Lee (Korea) 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10.