Kolkata, Feb 7 (UNI) Second seed Malaysian Ong Beng Hee and Mansoor Zaman of Pakistan will play final of the three star Kolkata International Squash Tournament tomorrow after overcoming their rivals in hard fought encounters Thursday.
In a night of back-to-back cliffhangers, Mansoor got the better of Omar Mosaad of Egypt in a topsy-turvy affair to reach the final.
The Pakistan player won a five-setter 11-5, 4-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9.
Zaman showed deft touch, especially in fourth and fifth sets to overcome his opponent. Some drop boasts were simply exquisite. Most importantly, Zaman took Mossad's game away by not allowing him play from the back of the court.
In the second semi-final down 1-2, Beng Hee had his back to the wall. In the end, however, the experience prevailed. In the second and third games, Aziz used the side-walls very effectively, but Beng Hee managed to counter the ploy in the final two sets. He shifted gears in the fifth game and took a run away lead of 6-1. Aziz never recovered, though he tried to match Beng's wide array of strokes with a few of his own.
''I should have sealed the match in straight sets. But Aziz is a great fighter and in the end, I consider myself lucky to win. I will need to play a ,'' Beng Hee said after the match.
Asked about the final, the second seed and World No 18 said, ''Mansoor and I have been playing since 12. We have a great competition. I have to plan my game to match his play. I hope to play better tomorrow.'' ''We have played three Asian Championship finals and this is another final for us. I have to find out something special for his roll-ons and shots with loads of back-spin,'' he added.
UNI BA VD HT2158
In a night of back-to-back cliffhangers, Mansoor got the better of Omar Mosaad of Egypt in a topsy-turvy affair to reach the final.
The Pakistan player won a five-setter 11-5, 4-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9.
Zaman showed deft touch, especially in fourth and fifth sets to overcome his opponent. Some drop boasts were simply exquisite. Most importantly, Zaman took Mossad's game away by not allowing him play from the back of the court.
In the second semi-final down 1-2, Beng Hee had his back to the wall. In the end, however, the experience prevailed. In the second and third games, Aziz used the side-walls very effectively, but Beng Hee managed to counter the ploy in the final two sets. He shifted gears in the fifth game and took a run away lead of 6-1. Aziz never recovered, though he tried to match Beng's wide array of strokes with a few of his own.
''I should have sealed the match in straight sets. But Aziz is a great fighter and in the end, I consider myself lucky to win. I will need to play a ,'' Beng Hee said after the match.
Asked about the final, the second seed and World No 18 said, ''Mansoor and I have been playing since 12. We have a great competition. I have to plan my game to match his play. I hope to play better tomorrow.'' ''We have played three Asian Championship finals and this is another final for us. I have to find out something special for his roll-ons and shots with loads of back-spin,'' he added.
UNI BA VD HT2158
Oneindia Login