Squash: Doug Kempsell loses in last eight to rival Gamal

Edinburgh squash player Doug Kempsell had a sense of 'déjà vu' after losing a fiercely-contested quarter-final to his old rival Mazen Gamal at the Sekisui Open in Kriens, Switzerland. The Scottish No.3 was also beaten by the Egyptian at last month's Irish Open in Dublin.

Doug Kempsell

Eighth-seeded Kempsell took the opening game in Kriens. However, Gamal quickly drew level, and the second seed then nicked a pivotal third game before wrapping up a 10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 11-4 victory.

“It’s a tough one to take,” said Kempsell. “The third game was vital and it was point-for-point with some huge rallies, but it just wasn’t meant to be. This week’s Welsh Open (in Cardiff) is my last tournament for a wee while, so I want to end strong.”

There was better news for Kempsell’s training partner Greg Lobban, who continued his comeback from a six-month hamstring injury by winning the Stortford Classic in Hertfordshire. The Edinburgh-based, Inverness-born player beat English qualifier George Parker 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 in the final. “People don’t want to draw me at the moment,” smiled Lobban.