2004 EBS Asset Management Dayton Squash Open> Quarterfinals Search Squashtalk
  2004 DAYTON OPEN

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Quarterfinal Action in Dayton
by Charlie Johnson, Jan 15, 2004,© 2004 Squashtalk
"Egyptian night" - Mohammed Abbas (l) handled Wael El Hindi with humor and finesse. (Photo: © 2004, Debra Tessier). 

 There was "standing room only" (and very little of that!) at the Dayton Squash Center tonight for the quarter-final matches of the $40,000 EBS Dayton Open Squash Championships. Sponsors, patrons & guests packed the gallery beginning at 4:00 pm today when Rodney Durbach of South Africa opened play against # 2 seed Martin Heath. Durbach established the trend for the evening, beating Heath in 3 straight games; as all the matches on this night went the minimum. That said, the crowd was thrilled by the athleticism of both players in this first match and all that followed.

Durbach, currently ranked 31 in the world, is on the move and playing well, and has lots of local support because of his 3 year support of the Dayton event. Getting married in May, Durbach has extra incentive to continue playing well and winning as his local supporters want him to have a great honeymoon funded by his prize money. (We in Dayton wish he and his future bride best wishes!). Durbach will play Egyptian Mohammed Abbas who prevailed against countryman Wael El Hindi this evening in another 3 game match (all scores noted below).

Qualifier and club favorite Rodney Durbach outplayed #2 seed Martin Heath. (Photo: © 2004, Debra Tessier). 
Simon Parke and Graham Ryding played the third match of the night and both are great representatives of the sport of squash. Their 3-0 match score did not do justice to the play, as there were a great many long rallies with fabulous retrievals from both players. They also signed autographs for all the kids hanging around the courts & locker rooms after the match.

This was truly "Egyptian Night" as the feature match of the evening was # 1 seed Karim Darwish faced off against countryman Omar Elborolossy. After 3 hours of previous matches, the gallery was still completely packed when the two walked on the court to start the last match of the evening, despite the fact that PSA players Joey Barrington & Azlan Iskandar were entertaining & coaching 30 or more juniors on other Dayton Squash Center Courts as part of the Professional Squash Tour's effort to reach out to the communities that sponsor events.

Graham Ryding(l) gave Simon Parke a chance to show off his undying determination to chase down every last ball. (Photo: © 2004, Debra Tessier). 
Our thanks to both of these players as the kids wouldn't let them off the court! Back on the tournament court, Darwish sustained a slight cut on the knee in the 2nd game, going for a low ball, and there was an injury time-out. After bandaging and borrowing a knee brace from Tournament Promoter Charlie Johnson (unfortunately 43 years old and in need of the support!) to keep the bandage in place, he continued the match and won in three. All night long, his forehand drop won him point after point as he pushed it in to the front to punish Omar when the ball was the least bit loose.

 Many of our major sponsors and patrons were on hand tonight to watch the world class squash that has come to Dayton, Ohio. The EBS Dayton Open is one of the primary fundraising events for the Miami Valley Squash Foundation that, to date, has introduced squash to over 300 area kids to the sport of squash. One day, if there is a PSA tour player from Dayton Ohio, you know where the seed was planted. Thanks to all of our sponsors who help us make this a goal!
Ouch! Karim Darwish (front) goes down in perfect form and recovers to beat Omar Elborolossy. (Photo: © 2004, Debra Tessier). 

In conjunction with the EBS Dayton Open, this year's Revenge of the Baby Boomers tournament has 125 entrants with 60% of the players from out of town. These guests, as well as the "townies," our local squash gladiators willing to mix it up in competition, will be treated to the highest caliber of international play during Friday evening's semi-final PSA matches and then again on Saturday for the finals.

Questions about squash & the Dayton Squash Center, contact Charlie Johnson at 1-800-22-1143 or charlie@cjsquash.com.


Dayton Squash is cooking!!! Come smell the aroma!

Quarter-final round results of the $40,000 EBS Dayton Open

Karim Darwish (EGY)(1) bt Omar Elborolossy (EGY)(6) 15-9, 15-11, 15-10
Graham Ryding (CAN)(3) bt Simon Parke (ENG)(5) 15-7, 15-13, 15-8
Mohammed Abbas (EGY) bt Wael El Hindi (EGY)(Q) 15-8 15-8 15-7
Rodney Durbach (RSA)(Q) bt Martin Heath (SCO)(2) 15-12, 15-9, 15-4

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