ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ashab Irfan advanced to the final of the Johns Creek Open Squash Championship in the United States on Sunday, while compatriot and top seed Asim Khan was eliminated in the semi-finals.
In the semi-final of the $12,000 PSA Challenger event, second seed Ashab defeated Brazil’s Diogo Gobbi 3-1 after a hard-fought 53 minutes.
He took the first two games 11-7 and 14-12, lost the third 4-11, but recovered strongly to close out the match 11-5.
Meanwhile, Asim suffered a surprise defeat against Malaysia’s Nathan Chua, losing 3-1 in a contest that ended his campaign. The Malaysian won 11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, denying Pakistan an all-Pakistan final.
Strong run to semi-finals
Both Pakistani players had produced convincing performances earlier to secure their semi-final berths.
On Saturday, Asim overcame Egypt’s Omar El Kattan 3-1 in 46 minutes, coming back after losing the opening game 10-12 to dominate the next three 11-3, 11-3, 13-11.
Ashab, on the other hand, was in commanding form against Mexico’s Cesar Segundo, cruising to a 3-0 victory in just 27 minutes with scores of 11-3, 11-8, 11-3.
In the second round, both men had also impressed. Asim outclassed Egypt’s Kareem Badawi 3-1 (11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8), while Ashab dismantled American veteran Christopher Gordon in just 20 minutes, sealing a 3-0 win with scores of 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Other Pakistani players exited earlier in the competition. Seventh-seed Ahsan Ayaz lost a five-game thriller to Omar El Kattan in the round of 16, despite forcing a decider. He fell 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11 after a gruelling 58 minutes.
Youngster Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim also bowed out in the round of 16. After taking the first game against third-seeded Gobbi, he was unable to maintain momentum and lost 3-1 (11-9, 3-11, 4-11, 6-11) in 47 minutes.
Ashab Irfan now carries Pakistan’s hopes in the tournament. He will contest the final on Monday, aiming to secure the Johns Creek Open title and add another international success to Pakistan’s squash record.
