-Professional Squash Player-
Mazen Gamal
Latest Tournaments
Western Province - South Africa
Paul Atkinson reports
After a number of years break from the tour Mazen Gamal has had an incredible three weeks in South Africa winning two out of the three PSA title on offer!
Two weeks ago it was with an incredibly tight win of 12 - 10 in the 5th over the same opponent he faced tonight, Angus Gillams. That was at altitude in Johannesburg, a very different experience for those internationals not used to the thin air and high altitude ball.
Moving down to Cape Town last week for the Keith Grainger Memorial UCT Open and again Gillams played well to reach the final but only to come up against an in form and eventual winner Nathan Lake. Gamal also played last week but also fell short at the hands of Lake.
Moving on to the WP Open this week and held at the iconic setting of WPCC, Gillams made it three finals in a row and a 4th career final at the very young age of only 19, whilst Gamal was hungry to add a 5th career title and 2nd in three weeks to his name.
Given the form both players had shown all week it was meant to be a match too tight to call and so the packed gallery settled in for another five setter between the two. Gillams started the match the stronger of the two and raced to a 6 -2 lead but Gamal simply raised his intensity and accuracy to reel off 9 points in a row to win the first 11-6.
The start of the second was very even with each player trading points all the way up to 7 all until Gamal once again changed gears and closed out the game 11-7.
Unfortunately for Gillams not even his incredible retrieving skills were enough to stop a now very confident Gamal and the Egyptian managed to close out the match with a clinical third and final game 11-6.
“After taking two years off to complete my military service and mechanical engineering degree, I wanted to make a come back to get back into the top 100 again," said Gamal.
"Johannesburg was the start an I felt I increased in strength as the weeks went by. The past three weeks in South Africa have been the best of my life.”
Central Guateng - South Africa
The men's final saw Angus Gilliams from England take on Mazen Gamal from Egypt.
The match was closely contested by both players with neither giving away easy points. Once again Gilliams allowed the decision making of the referees to influence his game plan and after having match ball in the fourth game lost the 5th 10-12.
Gamal kept his cool throughout the match and was very focused. He used his opponents emotions to his advantage and fought all the way to the end of the match.
As Gamal said: “The match was extremely hard and closely contested. Angus is a very good player but I just wanted to win so badly.
"I have not being playing on the circuit for the last three years as I completed my military training and mechanical engineering degree. I am trying really hard to get back into the top 100 and knew that I needed this win tonight.
"Angus had two match balls against me in the 4th and 5th games but I knew if I just hung in there I had a chance and eventually it turned in my favour.
"I would like to thank all the people in Johannesburg especially my hosts for making me feel so welcome and everyone has been so friendly. I am looking forward to going to Cape Town for the first time and hope to do well there.
"I really appreciate all the support and help all my friends in Cairo have given me and wish they could have been with me tonight to celebrate my win. The tournament has been of the highest quality and I will definitely be back again.”