Atlas crashes out of British Grand Prix

Pakistan’s top squash player Amir Atlas succumbed to former world champion Palmer in the British Grand Prix 2010.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s top squash player Amir Atlas crashed out in the second round of the British Grand Prix 2010 as he succumbed to former world champion David Palmer 3-1 in Manchester. The Australian and four-time British Open champion took an early lead 11-4, 11-4, but the 12th-seed Atlas fought back in the third set barely winning it 11-9, taking advantage of the 34-year old Palmer’s exhaustion.

However, the eighth-seeded Palmer recovered well and contained the 20-year-old in the fourth set 11-6 to seal the one-sided victory in just 53 minutes.

“Losing against Palmer is not bad, it’s in fact a learning experience,” Atlas told The Express Tribune.

“I think because of his experience, he dominated the game. He wouldn’t let me play my favourite shot. He would know that I’m churning out a drop volley and he’d prevent it.

“At one point I felt he was reading my mind but then that’s the experience he has,” said Atlas, ranked 23 in the world.

Atlas will return on Monday and begin a two-month training camp with his uncle and former world champion Jansher Khan as he prepares to represent Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games that will start from October 3 in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s representation at this year’s British Open ended with Atlas’ elimination as previously 16th-seeded Farhan Mehboob also lost after a hard-fought battle against an unseeded Scottish player Alan Clyne 3-2 in the first round. The British Grand Prix that carries a prize money of $92,500 will finish on September 20.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2010.