World No.1 Ali Farag reached the final of the Qatar Classic for the second time in a row on Friday after dispatching the World Champion Tarek Momen in straight games (11-9, 11-2, 11-4) in their semi-finals clash on the Glass Court of the Khalifa International & Squash Complex in Doha.
The 28-year-old tournament’s defending champion will be up against New Zealand’sZealand’s Paul Coll, whom he had defeated 12 times in 13 encounters, in Saturday’sSaturday’s final.
The first game, which lasted 16 minutes, was more of an even contest between the pair, but Farag was able to fend off a two-point lead following a strong start from Momen to lay the foundations for an impressive victory.
Farag stamped his authority on the match in the second, claiming it in just seven minutes. He then killed the match easily in the third with some impressive shots and positional play which Momen, who lifted the world title on the same court 12 months ago, could not find answers to as he booked his ticket for the final in just 38 minutes.
“Playing another Egyptian adds a psychological aspect to it. We’re very good friends off the court, and we train together at least once a week. We know each other’s game inside out. It’s tough because you know what to expect, but he also knows what to expect – that’s the Egyptian aspect, but then there are so many different layers to Tarek Momen,” Farag said after the victory.
“His fitness, his physique, his short balls – I don’t think any players play shorter balls than Tarek on the PSA World Tour. We neglect his straight line hitting and the deep corners as well, he hits them very well and makes it tough with the side wall boast so every single shot you are on your toes,” he added.
