Karachi: Pakistan’s top squash players Asim Khan and Ashab Irfan went on to the quarterfinals of the Johns Creek Open 2025, a $ 12,000 PSA Challenger event, after recording victories in the second round on Thursday.
Top seed asim overcome Egypts Kareem Badawi 11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8 in 45 minutes. Asim dominated the two opening two matches of precise length and controlled rallies before Badawi fought back to take the third. The Pakistani segrouped in the fourth to secure its place in the last eight.
Second seed Ashab needed only 20 minutes to reject US Christopher Gordon in straight matches, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4. Ashab’s aggressive shot and rapid pace kept the American on defense.
However, it was the end of the way for the seventh seed Ahsan Ayaz that was angled out in a five-game thriller against Egypt’s Omar Elkattan. After taking the first game 11-4, Ahsan lost the second on a draw 12-10 and the third 11-9.
He smooths the match by winning the fourth 11-8, but Elkattan held on to the decision to win 11-8 after 58 minutes of high-intensity games.
Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim also left in the round of 16 and lost to third seed Diego Gobbi from Brazil 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6 in 47 minutes.
Huzaifa started off strongly with taking the opening match, but couldn’t match Gobbi’s pace and texture in the remaining games.
