Fri 28 Nov
Qualifying under way in Doha
The Qatar Classic is under way in Doha, with men's qualifying opening proceedings in the Gulf. Six qualifying matches produced wins for Pakistan's Shahid and Farrukh Zaman, the Netherlands' Tommy Berden surviving a marathon encounter with Stacey Ross, and wins for Cameron Pilley, Hisham Ashour and Peter Barker.England's PSA Tour veteran Tim Garner twice led Pakistan's Shahid Zaman at the Khalifa Squash Complex in Doha. But his eventual 61 minute defeat immediately prompted the 33-year-old former world No26 from Sussex to announce his retirement after ten years on the PSA Tour.
A second Englishman decided to make the Doha visit his last PSA Tour outing: Stephen Meads, a former British National champion from Berkshire, received a bye in the first round and takes on compatriot James Willstrop, the world junior champion from Pontefract in Yorkshire, in Saturday's qualifying final.
Asked if he would change his mind if he won the $120,000 title, the Wokingham-based 33-year-old said: "No - I am going, regardless!"More in Voice of Doha
Men's First Round:
Renan Lavigne (Fra) bye
Shahid Zaman (Pak) bt Tim Garner (Eng) 6/15, 15/13, 6/15, 15/14, 15/3 (61m)
Stephen Meads (Eng) bye
James Willstrop (Eng) bye
Stefan Casteleyn (Bel) bye
Tommy Berden (Ned) bt Stacey Ross (Eng) 11/15, 15/10, 12/15, 15/12, 15/14 (118m)
Dan Jenson (Aus) bye
Farrukh Zaman (Pak) bt Arshad Iqbal Burki (Pak) 15/13, 15/7, 15/11 (42m)
Cameron Pilley (Aus) bt Khalid Atlas Khan (Pak) 15/8, 15/10, 15/3 (97?m)
Olli Tuominen (Fin) bye
Hisham Ashour (Egy) bt Joey Barrington (Eng) 15/13, 15/8, 15/12 (43m)
Rodney Durbach (Rsa) bye
Davide Bianchetti (Ita) bye
David Evans (Wal) bye
Peter Barker (Eng) bt Borja Golan (Esp) 7/15, 15/5, 15/13, 15/14 (72m)
Nick Taylor (Eng) bye
News direct from Doha ... www.qatarclassic.com
