Al-Tamimi advances to quarterfinals of QSF 5 Open 2024

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November 22, 2024
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22-November-2024

Al-Tamimi advances to quarterfinals of QSF 5 Open 2024

Doha: England’s World No.74 Ben Smith is into the quarter-finals of a Bronze-level event for the first time after seeing off fellow countryman George Parker 3-2 in the QSF 5 Open 2024.  

The 22-year-old, who was two games up against the tournament’s No.6 seed Parker, was finding the back corners well as he moved into a commanding position before being pegged back to 2-2 by the World No.45.  

However Smith was able to recompose himself in the fifth, despite seeing a number of match balls saved, to secure his maiden appearance in the last eight of a Bronze event.  

“It feels great to get to my first quarter-final at a PSA [Squash Tour] event,” said Smith 

afterwards.  “Me and George [Parker] know each other well and to beat a player like him is a good feeling.   “It means a lot [reaching the quarter-finals of a Bronze-level event for the first time]. I just need to keep pushing now and I can’t wait for tomorrow.”  

Smith’s quarter-final opponent and home favourite Abdulla Mohd Al-Tamimi booked his place in the last eight with a 3-0 success over Emyr Evans.  

Welshman Evans took the game to Al-Tamimi, with the Qatari edging a tiebreak in the opening game 13-11, before the World No.27 claimed 11-4, 11-6 wins in the ensuing games to progress to the quarter-finals. 

Elsewhere, top seed and defending champion Tarek Momen kicked off his title defence with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Yassin Elshafei. Second seed Aly Abou Eleinen came through a testing second round clash with Edwin Clain, with the Egyptian triumphing 3-1.  

Mohamed Abouelghar, Gregoire Marche and Miguel Rodriguez also chalked up second round wins in straight games, overcoming Jonah Bryant, Addeen Idrakie and Aly Hussein, respectively.