Darwish Wins Dayton
US Tour: EBS Management Dayton Open
By Charlie Johnson
Photo courtesy Squashpics.com archives
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Karim Darwish
Current world # 9 Karim Darwish of Egypt posted a 3-0 win over countryman Mohammed Abbas in the championship match of the $40,000 EBS Asset Management Dayton Open, held January 14-17 in Ohio. The Dayton Squash Center was packed to capacity as over 150 spectators, patrons and sponsors crowded the bleacher seating and club lounge (where there was closed-circuit broadcast of the match).
Darwish started strong and although Abbas kept the first game close, every time he seemed to try to take command of a rally, Karim managed to retrieve just one more ball that forced Mohammad to make an error going for too much on the next shot. Darwish dominated the 2nd game and then in third game, which mirrored the first where Abbas kept seeming to almost break through and gain control, the large gallery kept urging Mohammed on, hoping for more squash. Abbas was gracious in defeat and the award's ceremony & after match interviews were also a pleasure for the crowd on hand.
Darwish's win, coupled with his other recent successes (just the week before he won the Marsh & McLennan Apawamis Open in Rye, NY), should push him into the top five of the PSA world rankings. Abbas also will benefit from his performance here in Dayton and both players, along with many of the other PSA tour players at this event, spoke highly of the organization and amenities of this tour event. Thanks to the hard work of all involved, Dayton Ohio is becoming one of the favorite stops on the US Pro Squash Tour.
Many thanks also to all of the sponsors and patrons who helped make this event possible. With the growth of both professional and amateur squash in the Midwest, it is hoped to be a $50,000 five-star event next year.
Semifinal results:
Karim Darwish (EGY)(1) bt Graham Ryding (CAN)(3) 15-7, 15-11, 15-9
Mohammed Abbas (EGY) bt Rodney Durbach (RSA)(q) 13-15, 15-13, 15-6, 15-3
(Full story can be found in the March 2004 edition of Squash Magazine)
Next up: Windy City Open! Stay tuned, and visit www.windycityopen.com for more info!
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