U17/19 SEMIS

Boys U17 
Oh boy. I really wish I was speaking Arabic, cause I lost a lot in no-translation today I tell you. There were a lot of decisions, a lot of no lets actually, most of them against our number seed Ahmed Wael Abdelmootey who didn’t exactly agree with the ref. One no let was actually given back by Ahmed Ayman Tawfik at the start of the second.

After losing the first game Wael lost the plot really, mentally I mean. And he was rather lucky not to get bageled as he was done 9/0…. 7 minutes first and second game, though.

The third is a classic, with Wael questioning the no let decisions, Tawfik maybe a bit tired, making far too many errors, both of them diving all over the place, it was all happening! Tawfik up 4/0, 6/3, 7/4, caught up 7/7, 8/8. Another ridiculous rally and it’s game ball for Wael, 10/8, 11/8 in 14m.

The 4th see far too many errors, but both are neck to neck. Again a few no lets, 8/7 against Tawfik, 8/8 against Wael, who gets a conduct warning I think for descent (but not sure). Very good rally, won by Wael, 9/9, a no let gives his opponent his first match ball.

As we had a dive, we are waiting for court cleaning, quite a bit, and a bit longer. Tawfik is not happy to give a breather that long to his opponent. But we wait, and wait, only to see a court cleaner arriving … with wet towel broom. I have to say Steve on one side of he court, and myself at the back just couldn’t help laughing. I guess one of the player must have said something that didn’t agree with the ref who went on shouting for a few good seconds… Don’t ask me, not a clue. But no conduct strokes were given, and Wael managed to save that one, 10/10.

A tin and a deep crosscourt later, it’s 12/10 for Tawfik, 19m last game… Gosh I wish my Arabic was better…

The second game between Adham Sherif Hosny & Karim El Torkey was far less dramatic, with Karim always a bit on the backfoot today. First and second game was identical, 11/8 and 10m, with Adham always a couple of points ahead in the 2nd.

The third, well, both were a bit tired and a few errors crept in, 2/2, 5/5, 6/6, 7/7, but Adham taking the lead from that point on, 11/7 in 9m…

Girls U17/19

It was a quick affair for the Egyptian top seed Kenzy Ayman top seed against Aleshina Alesya from Russia. Not that the lovely Russian didn’t try her best but she was outplayed today, especially on the glass I feel. 7m first game, 5 and 4 for the last two….

An All Egyptian affair for the second semis, Malak Islam Khafagy against Shahd El Refaey, with I felt the confidence being with the former… Shahd I felt maybe didn’t believe in her chances today, was a bit on the backfoot, although she proved she could play her shots into the nick quite beautifully!

First game, strong start from the favourite Malak, 4/0, 5/2 but Shahd comes back 5/5 6/6, Malak in front again, 10/6 11/7 in 6m.

The second game is longer, 11m, and very close indeed, although Malak seemed to have game won 5/2, 7/3. Again Shahd proved the fighther she is, and it’s levelled at 7/7, 8/, 9/9. Malak will need three game balls to impose her game and it’s finally 13/11, with Malak leading 2/0 now.

A good start for both in the third, 1/1, 2/2, 4/4, but Malak is now too confident and will close the match 11/7 on her first attempt, 7m, 11/7.

BOYS U19

Both Boys’ U19 semis finished in three games, but victors Omar El Torkey and Taha Walid Dinana were both tested. Torkey took two tough opening games before pulling clear in the third, while Dinana looked in control after the first two games but saw his lead in the third disappear, but was able to close the match out from 9-all.