BritOpen Update: Rodriguez Roars Past Abouelghar in Hull

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‘Colombian Cannonball’ Miguel Angel Rodriguez downed Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar in straight games to seal his place in the last eight of the prestigious 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament taking place in Hull’s Airco Arena.

The World No.8 blitzed to victory in game one for the loss of just three points as Abouelghar failed to find his rhythm but was made to work hard in the second after his opponent displayed a fantastic range of attacking shots from his repertoire to go 6-1 up, including a spectacular windmill fake shot which sent Rodriguez in the wrong direction.

Rodriguez’s quality soon shone through though as he produced a number of efforts that have backed up his rise as one of the world’s top players over the past 18 months and the 30-year-old went on to win the second before taking a hard-fought third in an 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 triumph.

“He is like a shadow behind me and another one of the talented Egyptian guys like Mazen [Hesham], Fares [Dessouki] and Ali Farag,” said Rodriguez.

“Today, I managed to play very well, stay patient and play smart. He beat me last time we played but now I think that I am now a bit more mature, more professional and maybe more aware of the things I have to do on court. Maybe he was a bit anxious in the first game because he was making mistakes but it’s always important to win the first game.

“The second game he played really well. I lost my length and he was winning all his shots at the front of the court. But I was patient because I was 6-1 down but I didn’t give it up.

“I was very positive and I made him play from the back in the second half of the second game. It worked, I came back and then the pressure was on him again. In the third he was trying to push and come back but I used the same strategy.

“We were both really pushing at the end of the third game but I won the big points. He was tired so that was the difference.”

Rodriguez has now secured additional points on the PSA Road to Dubai standings where a top eight berth will guarantee a spot at the season-ending Dubai PSA World Series Finals.

The 26-time PSA World Tour title winner admits that the goal of achieving a place amongst the world’s elite has inspired him this season.

“I cannot say that I have accomplished the dream yet,” he said.

“But It’s a motivation and it’s in my mind, particularly in the World Series tournaments this year because I knew I was able to make the top eight. This [the British Open] was one of my favourite tournaments when I was young so winning this round means a lot to me and it gives me more points and gives me the confidence to play better both tomorrow and in the last tournament which is in Egypt [the El Gouna International].”

Result – Second Round: Men’s Allam British Open 2016
[6] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-0: 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 (43m)