[4] Simon Rösner -05- (GER) def George Parker -49- (ENG)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-2 Final: 11-3, 11-3, 11-5 (36m)
In a rematch of their Round of 16 clash at this year’s US Open – George Parker’s best career run at a PSA Platinum event – Simon Rösner was in complete control from first serve. While the German Tree Chopper had trouble closing out the World #49 three weeks ago in Philadelphia…
► Oct 2018 – US Open (R16) – Simon Rösner 11-6, 11-9, 10-12, 11-3 (67m)
…Simon had no such trouble in Doha. Rösner credits last year’s Semifinal run at the Qatar Classic as the catalyst that led him to capture his first Platinum title at the Tournament of Champions and crack the PSA’s top-5. Truth be told, the German is playing some of the most consistent, high-level, confident, and “angularly creative” squash on Tour.
Case in point: After his victory over Parker at the US Open, he went on to reach his second career Platinum Final – where he took the reigning World Champion the distance. Rösner earned the first and third. Mohamed ElShorbagy won games two and four, before defeating Simon 11-4 in the decider, earning his 18th career PSA Platinum title.
Prior to this year’s Qatar Classic, While most played Chicago or St. George’s Hill – where ElShorbagy endured a surprising 3-game upset to Joel Makin – Rösner opted for rest and recouperation. Tonight was his first match since the US Open Final. By all appearances, it was a smart move. His display of shot-making, patience, and consistent-calm dealing with an emotionally inconsistent opponent shows he hasn’t missed a step.
Each player’s announcer introduction for today’s Round-2 match…
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[4] Simon Rösner -05- (GER)
Last season, this 11-time German Nationals Champion and World Games Gold Medalist enjoyed one of the most successful years of his career…and his good fortune started right here in Doha. At last year’s Qatar Classic, he reached his first Platinum-level Semifinal; and just 2-months later, captured his first Platinum Title at the Tournament of Champions in New York. By June, he reached a career-high ranking of World #5 and qualified for the PSA World Tour Finals for a 5th time, where he finished as a Semifinalist for the 2nd year in a row. He started the new season with a Semifinal run in Shanghai, led his hometown Paderborn to a record 9th title at the European Club Championship; and earlier this month, reached his 2nd career Platinum-level Final at the US Open. Competing in his 8th Qatar Classic Squash Championsip – From Germany, please welcome 2017 Semifinalist and the #5 Player in the World – The German Tree Chopper – Simon Rösner.
▲ R1 — Bye
George Parker -49- (ENG)
At just 22-years-old, he owns 7 PSA titles and comes into Doha with a career-high ranking of World #49. Last season, he went on a tear – earning 3-titles in 4-Finals between January and April. By season’s end, he’d jumped 24-spots in the rankings – then picked up the new season right where he left off – reaching the title match in his European Championship debut. Earlier this month at the US Open, he earned his first two Platinum main-draw victories, reaching the Final-16 of a Platinum-level event for the very first time. Making his Qatar Classic and Doha debut – Yesterday, he defeated New Zealand’s Campbell Grayson in a 4-game thriller to reach tonight’s 2nd-Round match. From England, please welcome the #49 Player in the World, George Parker.
▲ R1 — def Campbell Grayson -41- (NZL) | Score: 12-10, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8 (68m) | RECAP
