Asim Khan battled past Egypt’s Omar El Kattan, while Ashab Irfan swept aside Mexico’s Cesar Segundo with ease.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s squash talents, Ashab Irfan and Asim Khan, showcased dominant displays to seal their places in the semifinals of the Johns Creek Open in the United States.
Top seed Asim Khan faced a stiff test against sardararticle Egypt’s Omar El Kattan but ultimately prevailed 3–1 in a gripping 46-minute battle. After conceding the opening game 10–12, Khan roared back with precision and power, taking the next three by 11–3, 11–3, and a tense 13–11 finish.
Meanwhile, Ashab Irfan brushed aside Mexico’s Cesar Segundo in ruthless fashion, sealing a straight-games win. He closed out the quarterfinal 11–3, 11–8, 11–3, marching into the last four with authority.
With these commanding victories, both Ashab Irfan and Asim Khan booked their places among the semifinalists of the $12,000 Johns Creek Open.
Their progress came on the back of strong second-round performances earlier on Thursday. Top seed Asim showcased his grit in a 45-minute battle against Egypt’s Kareem Badawi, winning 11–3, 11–6, 5–11, 11–8. He dictated the opening two games with clinical length and controlled rallies before Badawi clawed one back, only for Khan to shut the door in the fourth.
Second seed Ashab, on the other hand, made short work of American veteran Christopher Gordon. In a blistering 20-minute affair, Irfan’s relentless pace and attacking flair dismantled his opponent 11–2, 11–4, 11–4, never allowing Gordon to settle into any rhythm.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Pakistan. Seventh seed Ahsan Ayaz bowed out after a marathon five-game thriller against Egypt’s Omar El Kattan. Ayaz took the opener 11–4, only to lose two tight games 12–10 and 11–9. He rallied to level the contest 11–8 in the fourth, but El Kattan held firm in the decider, edging it 11–8 after nearly an hour of gripping play.
Elsewhere, Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim’s run ended in the round of 16 against Brazil’s third seed Diego Gobbi. Despite a promising start with a 9–11 win in the opener, Huzaifa couldn’t withstand Gobbi’s pace and precision, eventually going down 9–11, 11–3, 11–4, 11–6 in 47 minutes.
