Abdullah Al Tamimi in action during the Malaysian Open at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.
KUALA LUMPUR: Qatar’s Abdullah Al Tamimi yesterday beat Hong Kong’s Tsz Fung Yip in five sets to win the $35,000 Malaysian Open title.
Al Tamimi, who was seeded third, won 5-11, 12-10, 11-1, 7-11, 11-5 in 52 minutes to prevail in the thrilling title clash in the men’s category at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.
In the semi-final on Saturday, Al Tamimi beat top seed Leo Au of Hong Kong 8-11, 11-2, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 in 87 minutes.
Earlier, in the quarter-finals, Al Tamimi beat fifth seed Joel Makin of Wales 8-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7, 11-8.
In his opening clash on Thursday, Al Tamimi beat qualifier Mohammed Syafiq Kamal 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 in 31 minutes.
Al Tamimi, 23, was thrilled with his form ahead of the Asian Games in Indonesia next month.
“It’s always tough to play five setters in both quarter-finals and the semi-finals and then to come into the final for another long match,” Al Tamimi said.
“But I expected to play for well over an hour although I started the first game a bit nervous,” Al Tamimi said.
“From the second game I found my rhythm and the pace I wanted to play and really happy with my biggest win so far,” the Aspire Academy trainee said.
“I had a long off season and I’ve been training hard. All this is for the Asian Games next month,” Al Tamimi said.
“I hope to keep this going until the Asian Games. I will take it game by game and if I’m doing good I certainly have a chance,” he added.
Ong Beng Hee, former Hong Kong player tweeted: “Congratulations to Abdullah for winning Malaysian Open. What an amazing week - lunch on you buddy.”
In the women’s final, Malaysia’s Low Wee Wern returned to the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour by clinching the Malaysian Open title. Wee Wern, who had to come through the qualifiers, outplayed Japan’s Satomi Watanabe 11-8, 11-7, 11-4 in 30 minutes.
