The competitions of the QSF 4 2023 organized by the Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation began at Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Monday.
The five-day tournament brings together 24 players including World No.8 Tarek Momen, French No.1 Victor Crouin and world number 14 Fares Desouki.
India’s Abhay Singh qualified to the round two as he defeated Egypt’s Khaled Labib in a 40-minute four-game clash to set a mouth-watering showdown with Egypt’s Fares Desouki.
The Portugal’s Rui Soares edged past his European Ivan Perez from Spain to meet Tarek Momen in the second round.
Malaysia’s Addeen Idrakie and Spain’s Bernat Jaume also made it to the second round. The former overcame German No.2 Yannick Omlor in 68 minutes, having trailed 2-1. Whilst Jaume, who also trailed 2-1, responded brilliantly in games four and five to see off a spirited Ben Smith in 69 minutes.
Home favourite and No.6 seed Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi, who won the title of QSF 3 and claimed the bronze medal of Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, will begin his campaign in the tournament from the second round.
Team Qatar is also represented by the two wild-card entrants Ahmed Al Tamimi and Waleed Zaman.
The total prize money for this knockout-format tournament is $50,000.
Championship Director, Saad Al Mohannadi hailed the strong beginning of the tournament which features the participation of some big names including World number 8 Tarek Momen.
“We are looking forward to another outstanding show from Qatar’s Abdulla Mohamed Al Tamimi who claimed the bronze medal of Hangzhou Asian Games.” Al Mohannadi said.
For his part, the QTSBF Secretary General Tarik Zainal wished all success for Qatar’s Al Tamimi in this tournament after his recent achievements as he claimed the title of QSF 3 earlier this month.
