Mostafa Asal disqualified from the U.S. Open after bursting opponent Lucas Serme’s eardrum with a wayward shot

By Alan Thatcher

October 10, 2022 - 1:20am

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By ALAN THATCHER (Squash Mad Editor)

Defending champion Mostafa Asal has made a dramatic exit from this year’s U.S. Open after his opponent Lucas Serme was awarded their second round match after being struck in the head by a wayward shot from the Egyptian.

Serme was given 15 minutes to recover, but was unable to do so in that time. The match referee deemed it to be an “opponent-inflicted injury” and, applying the code of conduct, Asal was disqualified.

In a further development, the PSA announced today that Serme would not be able to play his third round tie this evening resulting in Marwan ElShorbagy being given a walkover into the quarter finals.

The incident occurred last night as Asal, who last year became the youngest winner in the history of the U.S. Open, was cruising with a two-game lead and was 6-4 up in the third. Serme hit a loose ball that bounced around at the back of the court and Asal decided to turn and hit a shot up the middle.

Serme – who was ducking – was struck in the head with the ball and fell to the floor. Asal immediately looked full of contrition for injuring his opponent.

After the 15-minute recovery period had expired, the PSA physio deemed Serme to be unable to continue, with the world No.43 from France requiring further medical examination.

Serme was taken from the Arlen Specter National Squash Center to a local hospital in Philadelphia and was diagnosed with concussion and a perforated eardrum.

The PSA said: “Everyone at the PSA wishes Lucas well and he will be monitored closely ahead of his potential return to the court.”

Serme was due to play ElShorbagy later today after the Egyptian beat England’s Patrick Rooney 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 in 48 minutes.

Because of his concussion, Serme may face issues flying back to Europe to compete in next week’s Grasshopper Cup in Zurich, where he is due to play fellow Frenchman Baptiste Masotti in the first round on October 18.