In fact, the extra round has already taken its toll on many big names and it is a credit to the total preparedness of me and the other three players still in the fray. I had another tough match against Paul Johnson. I was just feeling that wee bit tired during the match and was a little slower. My feet were not moving as fast as I would have liked them to and as a reason I was late to reach the ball. Many points were squandered from the backhand corner because I was late to reach the ball.

I made a couple of errors in the first game and deservedly lost. But it helped get me into the right frame of mind and I started the second game positively and went through easy. In the third, it was again a bit of negative play, which Johnson pounced on when Iwas leading 14-11 and had I not pulled myself together in time, it could have been close. That close game, which I won 17-16 seemed to have affected both of us. While I was firing on all systems, Johnson looked a bit jaded and in the end it was fairly easy for me. Johnson is a very tough player to beat and he proved it once again.

For me, it was just one of those days when your body acts up a bit. I had a massage back in the hotel and I’m all charged up once again. It was disappointing to watch Ahmed Barada go down without a fight to Jonathan Power. The Egyptian world No 2 was just not there. Jonathan played well, but if Barada had played to his potential, then it would have been okay. I had mentioned in my earlier column that Barada was too tense going into the match against Power, wanting to win too much. Probably, too many expectations on his shoulders, but all that comes with the game and has to be coped with.

It would have pleased me to play John White in the semi-final, and he had his chances to getthere, but it was tiredness that put paid to his aspirations.

To end with, I would like to thank Gerald Foultin of the Doha Sheraton, who set up a lovely party for the squash fraternity on Thursday night. I had a lovely meal and also a great time. In fact, it was the first time that the players got together and enjoyed themselves.

(Procam International)