Abdulla Al Tamimi -47- (QAT) def [15] Gregoire Marche -14- (FRA)
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-1 Score: 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 (50m)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the 2019 PSA Mens World Championship.
Tonight, Qatar’s top-talent finally earned his first Major match victory on his home court in Doha. Abdulla had lost 8 consecutive matches at Major events hosted in his home country, dating back to the 2010 Qatar Classic – when, at 15-years-old, he was granted a qualifying Wild Card.
It was an emotional victory. Thankfully, Abdulla was able to share the feat with family, close friends and the Aspire Academy coaches with whom he’s worked for years.
Al Tamimi is now 2-0 against Gregoire Marche:
► 2019 World Championship | Abdulla Al Tamimi def Gregoire Marche | R1 Score: 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 (50m)
► 2017 NetSuite Open | Abdulla Al Tamimi def Gregoire Marche | QR2 Score: 11-8, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6 (49m)
Announcer Corner | Player Introductions
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Abdulla Al Tamimi -47- (QAT)
At just 24-years-old, he is the most successful Squash Player in Qatar’s history. 9-years-ago, he made his PSA Tour debut as an unranked, 15-year-old Wild Card Qualifier at the 2010 Qatar Classic. Since then, he’s won 5 PSA Tour titles – and last July, reached his 11th career Tour-level Final – right here at the Qatar Squash Federation Open. So far this season, he was a Semifinalist at the HKFC International – and last month in Philadelphia, reached the 2nd-Round of a Platinum event for the first time at the US Open. Competing in his 7th PSA World Championship, 2-years-ago in Manchester – he upset Simon Rösner, then Mathieu Castagnet to reach the Final-16. From Doha – this is the #1 Player in the State of Qatar, Abdulla Al-Tamimi.
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[15] Gregoire Marche -14- (FRA)
This 2-time French National Champion returns to Doha with a career-high ranking of World #14, after a career-best season last year. He reached the Final-16 at 3 of the 7 Platinums, and captured 2 PSA Tour titles – including a victory over James Willstrop in Montpellier to earn his 9th career title. In 2016, he lit-up the glass court here in Doha – earning a career-best Platinum-run, defeating Mohamed Abouelghar and Tarek Momen to reach the Qatar Classic Quarterfinals. Competing in his 10th PSA World Championship – his best run came 4-years-ago, where he upset World #14 Stephen Coppinger to reach the Round of 16. From France, this is 2017 World Games Silver Medalist – Gregoire Marche.
