CIB Black Ball Open QFs: Dessouky Downs Elias

Egypt’s Fares Dessouky has reached back-to-back PSA World Tour semi-finals for the first time since April 2017 after he came back from a game down to topple Peru’s Diego Elias at the CIB Black Ball Squash Open.

It ends a three-match losing streak to Elias, with the pair having some feisty battles in the past.

Today’s encounter was a nail-biting encounter in which Dessouky demonstrated his impressive power and sublime racket skills to recover from a 13-11 defeat in the opening game.

"It's such an exciting brand when he plays like this!"FaresDessouky</a> is showing what he is made of in this quarter-final, making <a href="https://twitter.com/diegoelias96?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">diegoelias96 do a lot of work in the early stages here#BlackBallOpen pic.twitter.com/0WFFbWjID2

— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) December 16, 2020

The second was nip and tuck and proved to be crucial as Dessouky reigned in two game balls for his opponent. And then, on the second of his game balls, Dessouky benefitted from a video referee decision that awarded a stroke against the Peruvian to level the scores.

"Incredible rally, that's the best rally of the tournament, I dare say!"diegoelias96</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FaresDessouky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">FaresDessouky are playing some incredible squash here in Cairo#BlackBallOpen pic.twitter.com/zPuhJMILTz

— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) December 16, 2020

Elias had a lead once more in the third as he held the Egyptian at arm’s length to go 7-5 ahead, but Dessouky moved up the gears to win six of the next seven points on offer, going on to hold one-game advantage for the first time.

And Elias struggled to get the ball to the back of the court against a dominant opponent in the fourth as Dessouky closed out the win to earn his spot in the semi-finals, where he will take on either World Champion Tarek Momen or Welshman Joel Makin.

"All my friends are watching so I am really happy to win today's match and it's a great mood for me!"FaresDessouky</a> is into the semi-finals of the CIB <a href="https://twitter.com/BlackBallSquash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">BlackBallSquash Open#BlackBallOpen pic.twitter.com/QDwPEWSbsr

— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) December 16, 2020

“It was a very touch match, physically and mentally,” Dessouky said.

“He’s a great player and every time he gives me a hard time on court. I’m really happy I won today’s match, all my friends are watching over here as well as my family and my coaches.

“It was a mental game, he was talking to me between every single point, so I had to really focus on court. He’s clever, I’m not blaming him for doing so, but I had to keep my mind on court, so I’m happy.

“Usually they [Momen and Makin] play tough matches. I hope to watch a long match and I wish them the best of luck.”

Result
[9] Fares Dessouky (EGY) bt [5] Diego Elias (PER) 3-1: 11-13, 13-11, 11-8, 11-7 (76m)