Abdulla Al Tamimi -47- (QAT) def Mathieu Castagnet -28- (FRA)
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-2 Score: 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 (43m)
Match recap from Squash Announcer Andy Taylor, Voice of the 2019 PSA Mens World Championship.
Enormous win for Abdulla Al Tamimi. Since his debut at the 2010 Qatar Classic (as a 15-year-old Wild Card), Abdulla simply hasn’t been able to win Platinum or World Championship matches on his home court. Now, he’s won two, and is back into the World Championship Round of 16.
To get through Castagnet in 3-games is a testament to Abdulla’s focused determination to stick to tactics and execute. That’s something he’s struggled with playing in Doha, thanks to the enormous pressure an entire nation puts on his shoulders. The sports psychology sessions are delivering results.
In their 3rd meeting, and second at the World Championship, it was all Abdullah Al Tamimi. Fans, the local media, and the Qatar Squash Federation can’t get enough.
► Nov 2019 | Al Tamimi def Castagnet | R2 – World Championship | Score: 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 (43m)
► Feb 2018 | Castagnet def Al Tamimi | R1 – Windy City Open | Score: 15-13, 11-5, 8-11, 7-11, 9-11 (69m)
► Dec 2017 | Al Tamimi def Castagnet | R2 – World Championship | Score: 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7 (57m)
Announcer Corner | Player Introductions
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Abdulla Al Tamimi -47- (QAT)
Last night, this 24-year-old upset World #14 Gregoire Marche to win his first Major match here on his home court in Doha. And it was 9-years-ago, as a 15-year-old, unranked Wild card qualifier, he made his PSA Tour debut 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. Back in Round-2 of the PSA World Championship for a 2nd-time – From Doha, he is the #1 Player in Qatar, Abdulla Al-Tamimi.
► On Friday, a huge weight was lifted from Abdulla’s shoulders. Before his upset of Marche, he had lost 8 consecutive matches at Major events hosted in his home country, dating back to the 2010 Qatar Classic
► Last month, after winning his first career Platinum match over Leo Au, Al Tamimi took Tarek Momen to 5-games in his Round-2 loss at the US Open
▲ R1 — def [15] Gregoire Marche -14- (FRA) | Score: 11-6, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 (50m) | RECAP
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Mathieu Castagnet -28- (FRA)
Known as The Muskateer, during the 2015-16 season, this 3-time French Nationals Champion was a force. He was a Quarterfinalist at 4 of the season’s 7 Platinums, and at the Tournament of Champions – reached his first career Major Semifinal. By season’s end, he climbed to a career-high ranking of World #6 and made his PSA World Tour Finals debut – where he earned his first victory over legend Nick Matthew. That season, he also delivered his career-best run at the World Championship, reaching the Round of 16 in Bellevue, Washington. Back in Doha, competing in his 12th PSA World Championship – he is the reigning World Games Bronze Medalist – The Muskateer, Mathieu Castagnet.
► Last year here in Doha, Castagnet reached the Round of 16 at the Qatar Classic for the first time
▲ R1 — def Shawn Delierre -92- (CAN) | Score: 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 (29m) | RECAP
