Nick Matthew limps out; Gregory Gaultier moves into semi final - Kuwait PSA Cup
After the much created hype of a dream quarterfinal featuring top seeded Nick Matthew and Karim Darwish, the actual quarterfinal of the Kuwait PSA Cup failed to live up to its expectations as top seed Matthew withdrew through injury.
Nevertheless, the first player into the semi-finals was fifth-seeded Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, who bounced back after losing control in the midst to beat Stewart Boswell with a score of 8/11,
11/5, 11/2, 11/5.
The fifth seeded French made a fine start, but fell short in the middle of the first set. However, the Australian quickly recovered from 2/5 down to take the lead for the first time . The French who was seeded at number five was
back in control from the start of the second set and did not allow his control to falter or slip even though, a few talks with the referees suggested he was never truly able to set in the match.
After the match fifteenth seeded Aussie Boswell revealed that he had decided to end on his playing career and it was a no fuss, no bother, situation. He submitted a handwritten note and the Aussie that had been the mark of the
tour for so many years was gone with the wind.
On the other hand, Gaultier will now be facing James Willstrop in the semi final. It is a repeat performance of the two during the final clash of the trophy in Hong Kong Open which was held just a few days ago.
Winning in just 36 minutes of the match, Willstrop steered ahead through the first two games, but Barker rallied back to take a 6/3 lead in the third. In the end, Willstrop won eight of the next nine points to clinch the match
with a 11/9, 11/7, 11/7 score.
The envisioned quarterfinal was to take place next but the ‘numero uno’ and top seed Nick Matthew personally walked onto the court, dressed in his tracksuit, to notify everyone that he had been injured with an
adductor wound that prevented him from leaping forward. Even though he had been warming up ten minutes to match time, he had reluctantly concluded that it was not possible to play.
Mean while, Egyptians Mohamed El Shorbagy and Karim Darwish overcame Daryl Selby, of England, and compatriot Omar Mosaad, respectively. The second seeded Karim Darwish will be competing with compatriot Mohamed El Shorbagy in the
semi final.
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