Squash: Banned Atlas cruises in London Open

Pakist­an’s top squash player reache­s quarte­rs with quick win.

KARACHI: Serving a two-year ban placed by the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), the country’s top-ranked player Aamir Atlas remains determined about his future with an impressive start at the London Open Squash.

Atlas, world number 26 from Peshawar, is also the top-seed in the $20,000 event and overcame New Zealand’s Campbell Grayson 3-1 in his first test to sail into the quarter-finals. The 21-year-old showed strength in his powerful shots to win the first game 11-7 before taking a 2-0 lead with an 11-4 win.

The Kiwi halved the deficit by winning the third game 11-9 but Atlas, overcoming a bout of complacency, kept it tight in the penultimate game. He faced resistance but his concentration on long rallies gave him a 12-10 win from game-ball down in the tie-break. Atlas now faces Chris Simpson.

“I’ve worked hard for this event,” said Atlas, who was banned for under-performing in the world team championship held earlier this year.

“I have many years left and I am confident that I can improve my world rankings.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2011.