Did Abhay Singh Fall to World No. 15 Dessouky in Qatar Classic Squash?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a nail-biting encounter, India's Abhay Singh faced off against world No. 15 Fares Dessouky at the Qatar Classic squash tournament. Despite a valiant effort, Singh fell short, raising questions about his next moves. Read on for an exciting recap of this thrilling match and the latest updates from the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Abhay Singh showcased remarkable skill against a top-ranked opponent.
- He previously defeated former world champion Karim Gawad.
- The Qatar Classic features significant prize money and competitive matches.
- Upcoming events include a PSA Bronze tournament in New York.
- Indian squash is gaining prominence on the international stage.
Mumbai, Sep 29 (NationPress) India’s Abhay Singh faced a heartbreaking defeat in a five-game showdown against Egyptian world No. 15 Fares Dessouky during the Round of 16 at the Qatar Classic squash, a prestigious USD 231,500 PSA Platinum event taking place in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.
Ranked world No. 35, Abhay previously stunned former world champion and current world No. 5 Karim Gawad of Egypt. He initially took the lead twice against Dessouky but ultimately succumbed to defeat with scores of 11-13, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3 after 66 gripping minutes.
At 27 years old and a multiple Asian Games medallist, Abhay is set to compete next in a PSA Bronze event in New York starting from October 5.
Previously, another Indian player, Ramit Tandon, lost 3-0 to the top-seeded Mostafa Asal of Egypt in the opening round, with scores of 4-11, 5-11, 4-11.
In the women’s category, seventh seed Sivasangari Subramaniam from Malaysia triumphed over Belgium’s Nele Giliss with a 3-0 victory in the second round, securing her spot in the quarterfinals with scores of 11-8, 11-6, 11-5.
The tournament, with a total prize pool of $231,500 for both men’s and women’s sections, has seen exciting matches. On the opening day, Egypt’s World No. 14 Mohamad Zakaria pulled off a stunning upset by defeating World No. 4 Joel Makin, marking the exit of eight of the top 16 seeds in the first round.
Zakaria, who had previously lost to No. 3 seed Makin in the CIB Egyptian Open, dominated the match at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, winning 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 in just 67 minutes, achieving his first victory over a player ranked in the world’s top four.
In women's matches, Malaysia’s Aira Azman overcame No. 5 seed Satomi Watanabe, while No. 8 seed Georgina Kennedy was eliminated by France’s Melissa Alves. Azman made a remarkable comeback from two games down against Watanabe to secure her first win over World No. 6 and advance to the last 16 of the Qatar Classic for the first time.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the resilience and talent of Indian squash players like Abhay Singh. Despite his recent loss, his performance against top-tier opponents reflects the growing strength of Indian squash on the international stage. NationPress stands firmly behind our athletes and celebrates their achievements while encouraging continued growth in the sport.
NationPress
29/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Abhay Singh lose to in the Qatar Classic?
Abhay Singh lost to Egyptian world No. 15 Fares Dessouky in the Round of 16.
What was the score of the match between Abhay Singh and Dessouky?
The final score was 11-13, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3 in favor of Dessouky.
When is Abhay Singh's next competition?
Abhay Singh is scheduled to compete in a PSA Bronze event in New York starting October 5.
What is the total prize fund for the Qatar Classic?
The Qatar Classic features a total prize fund of $231,500 for both men's and women's sections.
Who were the top performers in the women's section?
In the women's section, Sivasangari Subramaniam advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Nele Giliss 3-0.
