Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) 2-1 Mazen Gamal (EGY) 7-11, 11-8, 11-2 (41m)
Marie Stephan (FRA) 2-0 Tessa ter Sluis (NED) 11-4, 11-4 (14m)
Marie
“It was my first time playing the best-of-three format so it felt like it went by quickly. I didn’t even have time to settle, because just like that, it was over! It was a good first match, though, to get under my belt for tomorrow.
“It helped me get my focus right away because with best-of-three, I know I have to be on my game from the first point. That’s what I took from today’s match and obviously, it is always nice to get that first match to find your marks on the court and just make sure you hit your length.”
Aly
I have so much respect for Mazen, on and off the court. Not many players can play at that level at his age, and I certainly would to be able to play at that level when I’m his age. And with age, comes so much experience.
I grew up watching him play, and to me, this is quite a unique situation. I landed from my flight this morning at 11.30 and came straight to the club because I played and lost my semi-final in Madeira, hopped on a plane, had a 14 hours layout in Frankfurt, couldn’t sleep, then straight here.
So I had to rely on my fitness, I’m younger but it’s tricky because it’s BO3 as well! I just had to fight, till the very end, and I’m glad I got through.
Tomorrow, I’m playing Victor, we know each other quite well from the US College, he was playing for Harvard and I was Penn, so we were rival, same year, and we both finished our studies at the same time!
Victor is a good friend, what he just did in Qatar is incredible, and it’s inspiring. I’m looking forward to that match, we’ve seen each other play sooo many times as well. So a match between the two of us, young fresh from Uni, on a big stage, it’s quite incredible. Very excited.
