Al Muzayen Boosts Home Hopes In Kuwait

In a battle to qualify for the Jena International Championship in Kuwait between the country's two top-ranked players, it was number one Abdullah Al Muzayen who emerged triumphant over older rival Bader Al Hussaini to earn a place in the main draw of the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event at Qadsia Sporting Club in Hawally.

Al Muzayen, the 23-year-old world No 102, despatched his fellow countryman 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 in 32 minutes - and will now line up against fellow left-hander Farhan Mehboob, the top-ranked Pakistani who is the event's second seed.

But Kuwaitis Zeyad Tareq Alowaesh and Mohammed Yaquop Hajeyah were unable to further boost local interest in the first round after going down to Dutchman Bart Ravelli and Indian Harinder Pal Sandhu, respectively.

Malaysian Ivan Yuen earned the final qualifying slot after upsetting Pakistan's Yasir Butt 8-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5. The 20-year-old from Selangor will face Egypt's Omar Abdel Aziz for a place in the second round.

Updated 1st round line-up:
[1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) v Bradley Hindle (MLT)
Joel Hinds (ENG) v [Q] Bart Ravelli (NED)
Ali Farag (EGY) v Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY)
[4] Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) v [Q] Ivan Yuen (MAS)
[3] Simon Rosner (GER) v Joe Lee (ENG)
Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) v Ammar Al-Tamimi (KUW)
Jaymie Haycocks (ENG) v [Q] Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND)
[2] Farhan Mehboob (PAK) v [Q] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW)