12:16 am
5 Dec 2024

Maqbool A Surprise Winnipeg Winner

2 Feb 2007

Pakistan's Khawaja Adil Maqbool caused the only upset on the opening day of action in the ADL Optical/Rodenstock Manitoba Open when he beat Australia's No7 seed Steve Finitsis in the first round of the PSA Tour event at Winnipeg SRC in the west Canadian city of Winnipeg.

The Dubai-based qualifier twice came from behind to overcome the higher-ranked Australian 7-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-10 (4-2), 11-10 (2-0) in 68 minutes to reach his first Tour quarter-final.

Maqbool, aged 18, will now face one of five Canadians who have made it through to the last eight. Matthew Giuffre, the No4 seed from Edmonton, despatched compatriot Andrew McDougall, a qualifier, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 in just 29 minutes.

Canadian wildcard Josh Struthers, the Assistant Pro at the club, battled for 31 minutes with second seed Laurens Jan Anjema, but the Dutchman ultimately prevailed 11-3, 11-5, 11-2 to set up a quarter-final clash with Egypt's Omar Mosaad, the sixth seed.

Anjema is on course to meet top seed Graham Ryding in the final. Ryding, the Winnipeg-born world No22 from Toronto, defeated Czech number one Jan Koukal 11-5, 11-7, 11-3.

1st round:
[1] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-5, 11-7, 11-3 (32m)
[8] David Phillips (CAN) bt Paul Davis (AUS) 11-1, 11-2, 11-4 (26m)
[4] Matthew Giuffre (CAN) bt [Q] Andrew McDougall (CAN) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (29m)
[Q] Khawaja Adil Maqbool (PAK) bt [7] Steve Finitsis (AUS) 7-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-10 (4-2), 11-10 (2-0) (68m)
[5] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [Q] Robin Clarke (CAN) 11-4, 11-10 (2-0), 11-9 (40m)
[3] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [Q] Jose Angel Becerril (MEX) 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 (28m)
[6] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Bradley Hindle (AUS) 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 (35m)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Josh Struthers (CAN) 11-3, 11-5, 11-2 (31m)