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26 Dec’ 2017

Spain’s Pajares beats Qatar’s al-Tamimi for title

DOHA, December 27, 2017-Qatar's Abdulla al-Tamimi's bid to win a second home title in a row just fell short as he was beaten by Spanish second seed Iker Pajares in the final of the Qatar Circuit (#5) squash tournament yesterday.

In a gruelling match that lasted 72 minutes, Pajares edged the Qatari number one 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 14-2 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

Al-Tamimi had beaten India's Mahesh Mangaonkar in five games in the semi-finals on Monday, coming from two games down and saving two match balls in the process.

Yesterday also, al-Tamimi saved three match balls, at 10-9, 11-10 and 12-11, but couldn't repeat the feat a fourth time, allowing the Spaniard to claim the trophy.

“It was a very tough match and I had to play at my very best," said the 21-year-old Pajares, who joined the PSA World Tour in 2013.

“Abdulla is a very tough competitor and you have to be extremely careful while playing him because he has all the shots," he added.

Like al-Tamimi, Pajares too had a tough semi-final, needing over 100 minutes to get past former junior world champion Karim El Hammamy.

Al-Tamimi said he was disappointed to lose the final but gave full credit to Pajares.

“Obviously it's disappointing to lose a final in front of your home supporters but you have to deal with it," said the Qatari.

“Iker is a young talented player and today was his day," added al-Tamimi, who had won the Qatar Circuit (#4) tournament beating El Hammamy in the final last month.

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