Charles Sharpes was delighted after reaching the semi-finals of last week’s Paris Squash Open.
After beating Kuwaiti Ammar Altamimi and Holland’s Sebastiaan Weenink to reach the last four, Kingston-based Sharpes, who plays for Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club, lost 12-10 6-11 11-1 11-4 to Parisian Lucas Serme in the semi-final.
Second seed Serme went on to lose the final to New Zealander Paul Coll, but Sharpes was happy with his efforts.
“It went quite well in Paris. The semi-finals were my aim so to achieve that was a positive thing for me,” he said.
“I was seeded seventh so to make it into the semis was a great effort and I think I played some good squash against Lucas.
“I think I am a better squash player than he is but he is a really physical guy and I think that played a big role in the outcome”
After losing the first set, Sharpes hit back to record a 13-15 11-1 11-3 11-6 win against qualifier Altamimi before overcoming Weenink 11-9 11-7 6-11 11-8 in the quarter finals.
“I controlled the games from start to finish and winning them both in under an hour shows that,” he added.
“I felt good throughout the tournament and played really well so I am very happy with the week. Paris is a great city as well so it was a pleasure to play there.”
With such promising displays in the earlier rounds of the tournament Sharpes feels he lost out to Serme by the narrowest of margins.
“I had game ball in the opening set and if I had converted that I think it could have been a different story,” he said.
“I could have been two sets up if I had taken that which I’m not convinced he would have been able to come back from, but it was a game of fine margins.
“The crowds in Paris were obviously right behind him and it was a great atmosphere to play in but I think the support helped him a lot.”
Sharpes is looking towards the end of the season with excitement after his strong showing in Paris and will play a tournament in Dublin before concluding his season at the British Open in Hull on May 11.
Feature image of Charles Sharpes courtesy of squashsite, with thanks
