[8] Diego Elias -13- (PER) def Raphael Kandra -19- (GER)
Match recap from Squash Emcee Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-2 Final: 10-12, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5 (42m)
Today marked the fourth career meeting between Diego Elias and Raphael Kandra. The German won their first two matches in 2013 and 2016. The Peruvian Puma has won their last two: In the 1st-Round of the 2017 Motor City Open in Detroit, and here at the 2018 Qatar Classic.
► Jan 17 – Motor City Open (R1) – Diego Elias | Score: 12-10, 11-7, 11-2 (37m)
► Aug 16 – Hong Kong Open (Qualifying) – Raphael Kandra | Score: 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 (56m)
► Aug 13 – World Games (R1) – Raphael Kandra | Score: 5-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6
After a nervy start, both played exceptional squash to take game-1 to a tiebreak. While Kandra edged the Peruvian Puma in the first, yesterday’s 5-game clash with Arturo Salazar caught up with the German by game-2.
Diego enjoyed a 1st-Round bye this week. His fresher legs carried him back into his first Platinum-level Round of 16 since his Quarterfinal run here in Doha last year.
At last year’s Qatar Classic, Elias reached his 3rd consecutive Platinum Quarterfinal with wins over 2005 Champion James Willstrop and India’s Saurav Ghosal.
Each player’s emcee introduction for today’s Round-2 match…
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Diego Elias -13- (PER)
At 21-years-old, he owns 4 PSA Tour titles, is an 8-time Finalist on Tour, and comes into Qatar after a Semifinal-run at the St. George’s Hill Classic for the 2nd straight year. He started the new season by going undefeated at the Pan American and Pan American Team Championships, winning 9 consecutive matches in the Cayman Islands to capture individual Gold. Last year, he started his Doha-run with a 3-game victory over 2005 Champion James Willstrop, then defeated Saurav Ghosal to reach his 3rd Platinum-level Quarterfinal. By January, he climbed to a career-high ranking, cracking the PSA’s top-10 for the first time. Competing in his 3rd Qatar Classic Squash Championship – From Peru, please welcome the #13 Player in the World – The Peruvian Puma – Diego Elias.
▲ R1 — Bye
Raphael Kandra -19- (GER)
This 27-year-old comes into the Qatar Classic with a career-high ranking of #19 in the World. Last month, he started the new PSA World Tour season with a Quarterfinal run at China Open, including a 3-game victory over World #6 Miguel Angel Rodriguez. Last May, he was unstoppable at the British Open – earning wins over both Nick Matthew and Marwan ElShorbagy, to reach the Semifinals of a Platinum-level event for the first time. He owns 13 PSA Tour titles, has reached 20 career Finals, and last February – won the German Nationals title for the first time. Competing in his 4th Qatar Classic Squash Championship, he’s through to Round-2 for the first time here in Doha, after a 5-game, 55-minute victory over Mexico’s Arturo Salazar. From Germany, please welcome Raphael Kandra
▲ R1 — def Arturo Salazar -46- (MEX) | Score: 9-11, 11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 11-3 (55m) | RECAP
