By Scott Roblin

Soliman captures 2018 Ralph’s Texas Bar Open squash title

Feb 4, 2018 | 5:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – He was the tournament’s top seed for a reason, and on Sunday Youssef Soliman showed why.

Soliman captured the 2018 PSA Raph’s Texas Bar Open squash title at the Medicine Hat YMCA, defeating England’s George Parker in four sets.

It’s the first win of the season for the Egyptian, as he came back from a first set loss to Parker to win the next three en-route to the Medicine Hat championship.

Soliman, ranked 51st in the PSA world rankings, said he tried to keep Parker on his toes and avoid his long reach.

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

2h ago

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

“He was so dangerous in the middle of the court,” said Soliman. “So, I just tried to take him out of the middle and tried to lob it a little bit so my cross would be wide. And, that worked really well.”

Rolling through the tournament undefeated, Soliman captured four straight victories including a five-set marathon in the quarter-finals.

Looking to keep his momentum going, Soliman is off to tournaments in Edmonton and Toronto over the coming weeks.

“Half of the season is gone, so I’m really feeling well here,” he said. “I took my first title of the season, so hopefully I will be confident from this and do well the rest of the season.”

Calgary’s Andrew Schnell finished as the top Canadian, falling to Parker in the semi-finals on Saturday, while Medicine Hat’s Brock Janzer lost his opening round match.

Shawn Delierre from Montreal lost out in quarter-final action to Schnell, while fellow Canuck Jake Hooker dropped his opener to Alfredo Avila of Mexico.