[5] Abdulla Al Tamimi (Qat) 3-2 [1] Tarek Momen (Egy) 7-11, 11-3, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10 (72m)
Victor Crouin Reports on his event
I lost a close 5-game setter in the semi-finals against the local favourite and eventual tournament winner, Abdullah Al Tamimi.
Playing him on his home turf is always a big challenge. Many top players have fallen into his trap – if I can put it this way! – and I was one of his victims this week!
Abdullah’s mastery of attacking the front corners works in his favour on the glass court, more so than on any other courts we compete on. But, hey, it goes both ways! I, too, can choose to attack before he does, taking advantage of the court conditions. I did it successfully last season at the 2022 Qatar Classic, and I managed to do it again this week… though not as consistently as necessary.
In fact, I led the match twice (1-0 up, then 2-1 up). Looking back, I probably made a tactical error by not requesting a new ball after winning the 3rd game. As a result, I spent the next two games mostly on the defensive, chasing the score. I fought until the very end but my court coverage wasn’t enough to force more errors from Abdullah in the fifth game. More audacity and attacking was needed to win that fifth game.
Despite losing out in the semis, there are several positives to take away from this week:
– I enjoyed tasting victory again with 2 solid wins,
– Playing 3 back-to-back matches was something I had not done for a while, so it’s reassuring to know that my body performed well over consecutive days,
– I added more height and variations into my shot selection, especially when in full stretch,
– And I was more willing to attack the front corners off the volley.
– I was also able to try out some mental routines that I had set up during the last training block, which proved to be helpful!
Now, I’m looking forward to the next few days at home to strengthen my overall game. Next stop: Malaysia for a Bronze event! 😄🇲🇾
[1] Tarek Momen (Egy) 3-0 [3] Fares Dessouky (Egy) 11-5, 11-2, 11-9 (34m)
[5] Abdulla Al Tamimi (Qat) 3-2 [2] Victor Crouin (Fra) 9-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8 (60m)
Semis : Tamimi ousts Crouin to set up final v Momen
There’s no stopping Abdulla Al Tamimi in Doha as the home favourite produced another upset as he squeezed past France’s second seed Victor Crouin in five games. As he aims to win his biggest PSA title to date he’ll face Tarek Momen in the final after the top seed won his all-Egyptian encounter with Fares Dessouky in straight games.
Quarters : Tamimi joins top three seeds in last four
Home Favourite Abdulla Al Tamimi maintained his winning run in Doha as he ousted fourth seed Dimitri Steinmann in straight games to join the top three seeds in the PSA Bronze semi-finals.
Tarek Momen and Fares Dessouky will contest an all-Egyptian semi-final while Tamimi faces second seeded Frenchman Victor Crouin.
Round Two : Dessouky survives scare
The top eight seeds will contest the quarter-finals of the Bronze event in Doha, with third seed Fares Dessouky staging a comeback from two games down against India’s Abhay Singh to keep his hopes alive. Dessouky now faces eighth seed Farkas Balasz.
Top seeds Tarek Momen and Victor Crouin both won in straight games while home favourite Abdulla Al Tamimi came through a tough four game encounter with in-form Indian Velavan Senthilkumar.
