[8] Diego Elias -13- (PER) def Mazen Hesham -35- (EGY)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-of-16 Final: 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (36m)
In 2016, at just 19-years-old, Diego Elias made his Qatar Classic debut and took the defending champion and World #1 Mohamed Elshorbagy to a deciding game in the opening round.
► Nov 2016 – Qatar Classic (R1) – Mohamed Elshorbagy def Diego Elias | Score: 11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-5 (63m)
It was the beginning of a special relationship with Doha. Last year, Diego opened his Qatar Classic campaign by earning his first career victory over former World #1 James Willstrop, then took-out Saurav Ghosal to reach his third consecutive Platinum Quarterfinal.
With today’s 36-minute victory over 2015 Qatar Classic Semifinalist Mazen Hesham, Diego has earned another shot at the sport’s top player. Last May, Diego again took Mohamed Elshorbagy the distance in Round-1 of the British Open – losing the match after convincingly winning the first two games.
► May 2018 – British Open (R1) – Mohamed Elshorbagy def Diego Elias | Score: 5-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4 (54m)
Diego is confident he has the skills to hang with the Beast of Alexandria. But the questions remains: Tomorrow, will he finally have the belief that he can seal a victory down the stretch? The Elias/Elshorbagy Quarterfinal has the potential to be the match of the tournament. Stay tuned.
Announcer Corner | Today’s R16 victory. Diego’s 1st meeting with Mazen Hesham in 3-years
► Jan 2015 – Tournament of Champions (Qualifying) – Diego Elias | Score: 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 (37m)
► Mar 2014 – Houston Open (QF) – Mazen Hesham | Score: 11-9, 11-2, 12-10
Each player’s announcer introduction for today’s Round of 16 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 “Pam 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, on Sunday he defeated World #19 Raphael Kandra to return to the Round of 16 here in Doha. From Peru, please welcome the #13 Player in the Wolrd – The Peruvian Puma – Diego Elias.
▲ R2 — def Raphael Kandra -19- (GER) | Score: 10-12, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5 (42m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — Bye
Mazen Hesham -35- (EGY)
At 24-years-old, he is back in Doha for the first time since 2015, when he made an inspired run to the Semifinals. That year, he upset World #7 Omar Mossad, then current World #2 Ali Farag, and reached his first career Platinum-level Semifinal…without losing a single game. By the end of the year, he jumped to a career-high ranking of #13 in the World. Remarkably, he won 6 PSA titles by his 20th birthday – and now owns 7 titles in 9 championship match appearances. This week, he defeated England’s Chris Simpson, then World #21 Daryl Selby to reach today’s Round of 16 match. Competing in his 3rd Qatar Classic Squash Championship – From Egypt, please welcome 2015 Qatar Classic Semifinalist – The Black Falcon – Mazen Hesham.
▲ R2 — def Daryl Selby -21- (ENG) | Score: 3-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 (42m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — def Chris Simpson -39- (ENG) | Score: 5-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 (51m) | RECAP
