[4] Simon Rösner -05- (GER) def Tom Richards -30- (ENG)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-of-16 Final: 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7 (45m)
Last year, German Tree Chopper Simon Rösner reached his first career Platinum Semifinal after scoring massive upsets over World #2 Karim Abdel Gawad and World #6 Marwan Elshorbagy. He went on to capture his first Platinum title at the Tournament of Champions in New York’s Grand Central Terminal, defeating Gregory Gaultier in the Semi’s and Tarek Momen in the championship match.
His Doha run last year was the spark the German needed, fueling his belief that – even in his 30’s – he could hang with the game’s elite on the sport’s biggest stages.
Today, he patiently went to work against a familiar opponent and returned to the Qatar Classic Quarterfinals, where he transformed his career trajectory last year.
Announcer Corner | Simon Rösner and Tom Richard have played since Juniors
This was the 10th meeting between these two players. They first met 15-years-ago, in the 3rd-Round of the European U19 Junior Championship, where Tom Richards earned a 5-game victory. Since then, they’ve played 4 Tour-level matches – all won by Rösner – including their most recent last April in the 1st-Round of the PSA Platinum El Gouna International.
► Apr 2018 – El Gouna International (R1) – Simon Rösner | Score: 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 (33m)
► Jan 2016 – Tournament of Champions (R1) – Simon Rösner | Score: 11-8, 11-7, 11-1 (40m)
► Dec 2013 – Hong Kong Open (R1) – Simon Rösner | Score: 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 (42m)
► Sep 2011 – British Grand Prix (R1) – Simon Rösner | Score: 12-10, 11-8, 12-10 (59m)
► Apr 2010 – English Premier League – Simon Rösner | Score: 11-6, 14-12, 13-11 (50m) | Non PSA
► Mar 2005 – European U19 Championship – Simon Rösner | Score: 6-9, 9-6, 9-0, 9-0 | Non PSA
► Apr 2004 – European U19 Championship – Tom Richards | Score: 9-7, 6-9, 9-5, 9-4 | Non PSA
► Jun 2003 – European U17 Team Championship – Simon Rösner | Score: 4-9, 9-2, 9-2 | Non PSA
► Apr 2003 – European U19 Championship – Tom Richards | Score: 8-10, 9-3, 8-10, 10-8, 9-5 | Non PSA
Each player’s announcer introduction for today’s Round of 16 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 climbed to 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 Championship, on Sunday he defeated England’s George Parker to reach today’s Round of 16 match. From Germany, please welcome 2017 Semifinalist and the #5 Player in the World – The German Tree Chopper – Simon Rösner.
▲ R2 — def George Parker -49- (ENG) 11-3, 11-3, 11-5 (36m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — Bye
Tom Richards -30- (ENG)
At 32-years-old, he owns 6 PSA titles, has reached 14 career Finals, and has been ranked as high as #12 in the World. He comes into this year’s Qatar Classic after a Quarterfinal run at the St. George’s Hill Classic, where he earned his first career victories over Spain’s Borja Golan and World #12 Omar Mossad.
Last season, he reached 4 Finals, captured 2 PSA titles, kept his unbeaten streak alive at the European Team Championship, and returns to Doha ranked inside the PSA’s top-30 for the first time since 2016. Competing in his 8th Qatar Classic Squash Championship, he defeated Egypt’s Mohamed Reda, then upset World #16 Ryan Cuskelly on Sunday to reach the Round of 16 here in Doha for the first time. From England, please welcome the World #30 – Tom Richards.
▲ R2 — def Ryan Cuskelly -16- (AUS) 5-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 (58m) | RECAP
▲ R1 — def Mohamed Reda -52- (EGY) 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6 (60m) | RECAP
