LAHORE – Egypt’s Youssef Soliman defeated Malaysia’s Ivan Yuen by 3-2 in the final to clinch the FMC International Men’s Squash Championship 2018 title here at a local hotel on Friday night.
In the final of the prestigious event, Youssef Soliman, who is world number 37 and was a top seed in the tournament, had to struggle really hard to beat world number 65 and second seed Ivan Yuen with a score of 8/11, 11/6, 11/8, 9/11, 11/8.
Young Youssef, 21-year-old, was looking fully fit and hungry to win the final as he superb shots and moving in the court was good enough to prove his fitness, stamina and eagerness to clinch the title.
While on the other hand, 28-year-old Malaysian Ivan Yuen was also in superb form and fitness but after starting so well, the Malaysian couldn’t match the speed and skills of Egyptian and in the last and decisive game, he was looking fatigued and exhausted, thus conceded the final.
After losing the first game 8/11, top seed Youssef made a resounding comeback and won the next two games comfortably by 11/6 and 11/8. Second seed Ivan then showed the glimpses of his excellent skills and power and put in a magnificent performance to fight back from a 2-1 deficit to square the things 2-2 by winning the fourth game 11/9.
In the fifth and decisive game, Youssef was looking more fit and composed than Ivan and same happened as the Egyptian went on fighting and took 8-4 lead first, then enlarged it to 10-4. Ivan put in a convincing comeback to make it 10-8. Both were looking true fighters and especially the Malaysian was trying to draw a square the things but the Egyptian then changed the gear and smashed in a tremendous shot to earn the match-winning point, thus registered title triumph.
FMC Managing Director Farooq Shahid graced the occasion as chief guest and gave away trophies and shields to the winner, runner-up and top performers. Also present on the occasion were Punjab Squash Association (PSA) President Dr Nadeem Mukhtar, Secretary Sheraz Saleem, Treasurer Tariq Siddique Malik, Vice President Tariq Farooq Rana, Tournament Referee Tahir Khanzada, players and their families and squash enthusiasts. (APP).
