KUMAR WINS, MAKING 4 INDIANS IN MAIN DRAW | 9th September 2015 | PICTURES
Both Kush Kumar (IND) and Mazen Gamal (EGY) had much to prove in today's match, with both players' first 35k tournament on the line. But Kumar perhaps wanted it a bit more, after a first round loss in last week's NSCI Open, compared to Gamal's run into that tournament's semifinal. Gamal seemed to take Kumar by surprise with a high-pressure attacking game in the first game, which went his way 11-7. But Kumar returned to basics in the second before mixing up his front court shots. The third saw some errors from Gamal and some well-timed flicking from Kumar, and he took the lead 12-10, 11-6. Kumar started strong in the fourth, racking up a 6-1 lead and sending Gamal all over the court. But Gamal tightened his game and had his chance when he took the lead at 9-8. But a lovely drop from Kumar tied it up and two unforced errors from Gamal gave the match away to Kumar 7-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-9 in 69 minutes. Kumar joins Indians Harinderpal Singh Sandhu, Mahesh Mangaonkar, and Saurav Ghosal in tomorrow's Main Draw.
"This is my first 35k, the highest tournament in my career," Kumar said. "I'm really happy to qualify. I'm really excited to play tomorow."
TOP-SEED QUALIFIER COLEMAN ENTERS MAIN DRAW | 9th September 2015 | PICTURES
No surprises for Ben Coleman (ENG), today, in his second qualifying match against Tom Ford (ENG). The top-seed commanded the 3-0 match from the start. Ford had his chance in the first game, pushing it into extra points, but failed to close. Coleman kept up the pressure to win 14-12, 11-3, 11-5 in 42 minutes and enter tomorrow's Main Draw.
"I'm happy with how I played," Coleman said. "It as a tough first game, really tight. I managed to gain control for the rest of the match, but credit to Tom. He played well, particularly that first game. I'm looking to cause an upset tomorrow, whomever I play."
YUEN BEATS HAYCOCKS TO JOIN MAIN DRAW | 9th September 2015 | PICTURES
It started to look like quick work for Ivan Yuen (MAS), who was sending Jaymie Haycocks (ENG) to all four corners in the first two games of their final qualifying match. Haycocks gave as good as he got, pushing the first game into extra points, but couldn't quite keep up under the pressure of Yuen's cross nick shots. But as Yuen relaxed in the third, letting slip a string of unforced errors, Haycocks turned up the heat, taking it 11-9. The fourth saw Yuen refocus and reassert, carrying the match 12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 in 60 minutes.
"I started off well in the first two games," Yuen said. "In the third game, it slowed down and Jaymie took advantage of it, put pressure on me. In the fourth, I regained my focus and went point by point. And I managed to play a few winners in the last few points and won the game."
