Motor City Open, Round 1: Salazar, Abouelghar survive in five, USA’s Khan advances

by Andrew Graham
The Motor City Open

Birmingham, Michigan – A pair of long, hard-fought matches highlighted opening day at the 22^nd annual Motor City Open Presented by Sturbridge Capital Wednesday at the Birmingham Athletic Club.

Mexico’s Cesar Salazar triumphed over Egypt’s Karim El Hammamy battle in five-set epic. Then, in second tournament back from surgery, Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar came all the way back from an 0-2 deficit to defeat Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas. And on home soil, US ace and World #28 Shahjahan Khan took down Hong Kong’s Tsz Kwan Lau: 15-13, 11-7, 11-5.

Mexico’s Cesar Salazar (left) triumphed over Egypt’s Karim El Hammamy. (Motor City Open photo)

World #36 Salazar and El Hammamy, World #44, proved equals on court. And as quick, rangy players, they were challenged – not just by their opponents shots – but by their ability to navigate around each other.

El Hammamy looked as if he would cruise to a comfortable victory, commanding the first two games over the Mexican veteran. That all changed in Game 3.

Mohamed Abouelghar downed Leonel Cardenas in Round One. (Motor City Open photo)

To the Egyptian’s chagrin, Salazar seemed more willing to use his body and make life difficult for his opponent, at the risk of the referee calling him for it. And while the officials needed to be navigated, Salazar did far more to frustrate his opponent than the officials did to slow him.

“It was a very tough match with Karim,” Salazar said. “I just tried to refocus, to be concentrated, to play point-by-point.”

After an 11-9 win in the third set, it looked like Salazar had used up his reserves. El Hammamy briefly led, Salazar wrestled the lead back, only to give it up.

“After the third game, I felt the confidence to keep fighting,” Salazar said. “And I think in the fourth game it was a very close. He made important mistakes in the last point. And for me I think it was very good for my confidence.”

Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas (right) built a 2-0 lead only to lose to Mohamed Abouelghar. (Motor City Open photo)

They played to an 11-11 draw in the fourth set before Salazar took the final two points to send the match to a decisive fifth set with Al Hammamy appearing to cramp in his lower legs. Bu the Egyptain came out firing in the fifth and went up 6-2. Salazar clawed back to set up a 10-9 match point.

Salazar wrapped up the comeback, dropped his racket, bunched his hands into fists and let out a joyful yell.

“I just tried to keep fighting, fighting, fighting,” Salazar said. “I think it was a lucky day for me, no? But I hope to be ready for my next match.”

The crowd that had grown and grown watching the duo play offered an enthusiastic ovation. El Hammamy, who had played a brilliant match only to fall short, sank into a chair courtside afterwards. Salazar moves on to face another Egyptian opponent, Fares Dessouky, on Thursday.

Salazar wasn’t the only player to climb out of a hole on Court 3 Wednesday.

He said, he said. Leonel Cardenas (left) and Mohamed Abouelghar argue a call. (Motor City Open photo)

In just his second tournament back from a knee surgery suffered a year ago, World #111 Abouelghar weathered a 0-2 deficit to outlast World #31 Cardenas.

After dropping the first two sets 11-8 and 12-10, Abouelghar needed to dig in mentally. He had opened a lead in Game 2 only to watch Cardenas erase it.

Determined to gut it out in five games, Abouelghar — the 2019 Motor City Open champion — got to work.

The US’s top-ranked player, Shahjahan Khan defeated Tsz Kwan Lau. (Motor City Open photo)

“Sometimes you need to block all the negative thoughts and just be in the here and now,” Abouelghar said afterwards. “It’s easier said than done, but this is what we train for. And I’ve tried hundreds of ways throughout my career to get me into the here and now, even though sometimes (when) I’m not able to do it. But today after 2-0 down, I said to myself: ‘you can reset and you need to win three games anyways.’”

He took Game 3 by a comfortable 11-6 score, commanding space on the court and playing with initiative. Cardenas had a potential match win in the fourth game, but Abouelghar buckled down and played the big points well. He won the fourth, 11-9. Abouelghar still had plenty in the tank to win the fifth game, 11-5, and take the match, 3-2. It was an impressive feat for a player in only his second competitive play since surgery.

“It can work both ways. Sometimes it just drains you,” Abouelghar said. “And sometimes it gives you more energy and it gives you more feel for the court. I’m really, really happy to be back from 2-0 down and win this one.”

Aly Abou Eleinen (left) took out Nathan Lake, 3-0. (Motor City Open photo)

Abouelghar will need every bit of conditioning and ability he has for his Thursday match, as the Egyptian is slated to face reigning Motor City Open champion and Peruvian World #4 Diego Elias – the same player he beat in the 2019 final.

“Coming back here made me feel good in terms of memories and past success and stuff, but this gave me a huge boost,” Abouelghar said.

Final Wednesday results and Thursday matchups

Mohamed El Sherbini def. Ramit Tandon, 3-1 (11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9)

Aly Abou Eleinen def. Nathan Lake, 3-0 (15-13, 14-12, 11-5)

Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi def. Lucas Serme, 3-1 (12-14, 11-4, 11-4, 11-1)

Cesar Salazar def. Mohamed El Hammamy, 3-2 (4-11, 6-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-9)

Shahjahan Khan def. Tsz Kwan Lau, 3-0 (15-13, 11-7, 11-5)

Mohamed Abouelghar def. Leonel Cardenas, 3-2 (8-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5)

Adrian Waller def. Faraz Khan, 3-0 (11-9, 11-2, 11-3)

Youssef Ibrahim def. Henry Leung, 3-1 (11-8, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7)