Ashour stuns Hee in semis

Mohammed Ashour staged a Houdini-like escape to script an astonishing win over top seed Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia and enter the final of the $30,000 PSA Indian Challenger squash tournament at the Calcutta Racket Club here on Friday. The Egyptian triumphed 6-11 5-11 12-10 11-2 12-10.

In the other semifinal, Adrian Grant of England overcame Malaysian Mohd Azlan 11-13 11-4 11-5 11-5.

Ashour, the world No. 29 looked dead and buried as he lost the first two games and trailed 8-10 staring two matchballs in the face. He saved both and went on to clinch a stunning victory. Beng Hee had the measure quite early as he stayed focused and controlled his game with steady strokeplay. However the Cairo resident threw caution to the wind and began playing aggressively after clinching the third game.

His strokes were audacious and he struck winners at will, with inch-perfect boasts and well-disguised drops. Beng Hee, it seemed, was conserving his energy for the decider.

Ashour continued with his aggressive play and it soon bore fruit as had two matchballs at 10-8. But two fortuitous nicks helped the Malaysian draw level at 10-all. The game went to extra points and the winner was decided by two clear points.

“I had injured my leg after the quarterfinal. I was not sure if I would play at all today... I took it easy in the first two games and I kept attacking in the fourth and fifth games,’’ said the 27-year-old.

“I did not know I was 8-10 down and saved two matchballs in the third. Ong is a very difficult opponent to play. I am glad I won and I now want to bag the title,’’ said the surprise finalist.