Wael El Hindi
Baltimore Open Champion
Anthony Lanier presents Wael El Hindi with Championship Trophy
Wael El Hindi won the Baltimore Open on Sunday, Sept. 12 with a thrilling victory over David Palmer when the #1 and #2 seeds faced off in front of a capacity crowd at the Merritt Athletic Club at Bare Hills.
The Championship capped a spectacular week of squash in Baltimore as the PST introduced its "Point Every Rally" standard for pro squash. Ever gracious, Palmer said in his post-match interview, "Today, Wael was just better. All credit to him."
The match was characterized by fiercely fought points, which at several points had the crowd gasping aloud during play. Palmer and El Hindi joked after one rally, "Sounds like the crowd enjoyed that one," to yet more cheers.
Match play lasted 48 minutes. El Hindi won 7, 6, (6), 5. Tied at 4 in game four, referee Mike Riley denied two appeals by Palmer, which began a 6-0 run for El Hindi.
In earlier round action Shahier Razik beat Wade Johnstone 6,5, 8 in the tournament's 3rd place match.
Sun., Sept. 12 @ 1:00 p.m.
Championship: David Palmer (AUS) vs. Wael El Hindi (EGY)
3rd place match: Wade Johnstone (AUS) vs. Shahier Razik (CAN)
Sat., Sept. 11
Semi-finals night saw spirited play on both sides of the draw. In the first match, David Palmer beat local favorite Wade Johnstone (9,5,8). Both are 6'3" and fans noted how well they moved around each other. Play covered all corners of the court, but on this day Palmer was too strong. He was able to control the pace of play and won in 31 minutes.
In the night's second match, Wael El Hindi beat Shahier Razik 9, (8), 6, 7 in a spirited match. The players have contrasting styles of play as Razik will patiently extend rallies looking for an errant shot, and El Hindi has a more aggressive, shot making style. The contrast created plenty of opportunities to test the new rules of play, which eliminated the traditional let. With Director of Officials Mike Riley presiding, both players asked for clarification on decisions. Riley was firm in maintaining order.
Early in game 3, match play was interrupted for an injury timeout. Razik's racquet clipped El Hindi as Razik was running to the front court. After a short timeout, match play ensued with El Hindi coming back more determined and forcing the tempo of play.
In post-match interviews, Razik and El Hindi complimented the new rules and said it created more entertaining rallies and will ultimately help grow the game.
Fri., Sept. 10
Quarter Final action continued Friday night. A full room of fans enjoyed local star and Zambia's #1 ranked player Lazarus Chilufya face off against #2 seed Wael El Hindi of Egypt. Chilufya was aggressive in taking the ball early and searching for winners. The strategy proved to successful as 2 of 3 games went to tie breakers. However, El Hindi prevailed, winning the match 3-0.
Patrick Chifunda, another pro with Baltimore roots, faced off against Canada #1 Shahier Razik in the evening's other match. Chifunda announced early that he would hit with pace and try to put Razik on the defensive. Chifunda continually pushed the ball to the back glass with great seed, but Razik kept retrieving and keeping the rallies alive. In his post match interview, Chifunda said, "I hit it hard, but the ball just kep coming back." Razik won in 3.
Thur., Sept. 9
A full house at the Merritt Athletic Club at Bare Hills welcomed the Pro Squash Tour (PST) to Baltimore on Thursday, Sept. 9.
The much anticipated 'no let squash' was well received by fans. Commissioner Joe McManus was pleased with the opening night: "I was impressed with how quickly the players on court adapted to the new rules. This is how squash ought to be played and based on the fan reaction, we've hit a home run."
Results:
Lazarus Chilufya beats Ned Marks (3-0)
Wade Johnstone beats Lefika Ragontse (3-1)
Patrick Chifunda beats Joseph Ehimen Ehalen (3-2)
David Palmer beats Graham Bassett (3-0)
