[8] Youssef Soliman (Egy) 3-1 Nicolas Mueller (Sgy) 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-3 (45m)
It was a very good start from Nici today, planted in front of his opponent, while Youssef looked a bit lost at sea. For a while I thought that Youssef was fasting, as he looked very slow at the start. But no, Nici was just too fast and too accurate at the back of the court.
First game 10m, with 3 errors from Youss and only one from the Swiss. That was soon to change, as the Swiss Rocket zoomed to offering 7 points to his opponent, 6 errors plus conceding a stroke, against none from the Egyptian. A quick game, 9m, and all about Youssef stepping in front, 11/7.
The momentum stayed with the Egyptian, 6/2, but an excellent response from Nici, 6/7. Still, the Egyptian is completely in confidence now, going for sharp attacks, 10/7, with Nici making his first error of the game at the right end, 8/11. 12m game.
Not much suspense in the last game, 4/0, 10/2, 11/3 in 8m for Youssef now is now in the quarters.
Youssef
“He caught me offguard. For most of the match he was in front of me and I think how he pushed me, mentally, I had to play better and get my length. It was good for me to sharpen me up for the next round.
“His shots, especially in the first game, were incredible. It was so hard to read and really tough and I’m happy I didn’t panic after losing that one. He was leading 7/0, 8/0, something like that. I got back, I regrouped. I managed to step in the front a little bit in the second, which allowed me to counterattack his short shots.
You come with a gameplan, and sometimes you’ve just got to adapt.
It was a good win for sure, I’m happy with the way I’m playing. I’m just happy to have won.
