Tom Richards was left thinking about what might have been after losing to fourth seed Tarek Momen at the PSA World Squash Championships on Sunday.
World number 21 Richards, who trains at St George’s Hill in Weybridge, fell to an 8-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-9 second-round defeat in 42 minutes against Egyptian Momen at Union Station.
Having won the first game, Richards admitted he wished he had capitalised on his good start.
“Mixed emotions after today’s match,” he tweeted.
“Happy with the way I competed and my level for most of the match but frustrated that I didn’t take my chances when they came along.
“Short world championships for me but a busy month of squash ahead so plenty more opportunities.”
Mixed emotions after today’s match, happy with the way I competed and my level for most of the match but frustrated that I didn’t take my chances when they came along. Short world champs for me but a busy month of squash ahead so plenty more opportunities! https://t.co/vXMpXPxr8u
— Tom Richards (@TomRichards86) February 24, 2019
Richards opened his campaign with an impressive victory against world number 62 Edmon Lopez in the first round, winning 11-7 11-0 11-6.
However, the step up in quality to Momen, who has been in the world’s top three, proved a bridge too far.
Richards, who spoke of his hopes for the season last week, now moves on to Toronto in Canada for the Troilus Canada Cup next week.
Momen however has advanced through to today’s semi-finals, where he plays compatriot and world number one Mohamed Elshorbagy.
The Englishman to progress furthest was 16th seed and former world number one James Willstrop, who lost in the third-round 12-14 11-2 7-11 11-9 11-8 against Columbian Miguel Rodriguez.
