October 2012

David and Ashour maiden US Open Champions!

October 14, 2012 • Tags: , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Two new champions were crowned in Philadelphia as Nicol David and Ramy Ashour took their 1st US Open titles ever to put their names in the list of winners of the prestigious Championships.

It was Ashour’s 2nd attempt after losing the final in 2009 against Amr Shabana. The Egyptian was successful this time after beating Frenchman Greg Gaultier in straight games to take the 25th PSA title of his career.

Unbelievable but true: The US Open was the only major title that was missing from Nicol David’s trophy cabinet as she struggled the years before to make the semis. But this time David suceed with a 4-games victory against Raneem El Weleily to set a new record of WSA titles, moving one ahead of Sarah Fitz-Gerald to 63.

Ramy Ashour takes first US Open crown!

October 13, 2012 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Ramy Ashour takes first US Open crown!

Egypt’s Ramy Ashour upset the seedings for the second time in 24 hours when he beat world No3 Gregory Gaultier in the final of the US Open to win the PSA World Series squash event in Philadelphia for the 1st time.

The straight games triumph (11-4, 11-9, 11-9 ) also marks the 25th PSA Tour title of the 25-year-old’s career – a remarkable 17 of which have been World Series events. “I lost in this final three years ago so to win a prestigious title like this against such a great player as Greg feels just unbelievable,” said Ashour, the fourth successive Egyptian winner of the title. “I felt good on court tonight but I had to fight really hard to win.

Final:
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 (43m)

Semi-finals:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [1] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (53m)
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 15-13, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (74m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5 (90m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [5] Karim Darwish (EGY) 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (61m)
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 (75m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [7] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9 (92m)

2nd round:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 9-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5 (81m)
[8] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4 (92m)
[5] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 (38m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 (54m)
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt Tarek Momen (EGY) 13-11, 11-7, 11-8 (35m)
[6] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Tom Richards (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 11-8 (51m)
[7] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 9-11, 11-7, 11-1, 11-5 (64m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Adrian Grant (ENG) 11-2, 11-5, 15-13 (68m)

1st round:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 11-4, 11-3, 7-11, 11-9 (80m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) 11-5, 11-9, 12-10 (57m)
Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [Q] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 11-0, 11-5, 11-5 (30m)
[8] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Simon Rosner (GER) 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7 (68m)
[5] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt [Q] Max Lee (HKG) 13-11, 11-2, 11-9 (38m)
Christopher Gordon (USA) bt Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 11-9, 8-11, 13-11, 5-11, 11-6 (59m)
Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Joe Lee (ENG) 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (76m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 (24m)
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-7, 13-11, 11-9 (46m)
Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 5-11, 11-7, 10-12, 12-10, 11-6 (70m)
Tom Richards (ENG) bt Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 11-6, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6 (56m)
[6] Peter Barker (ENG) bt [Q] Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-4, 11-6, 11-1 (33m)
[7] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [Q] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-9, 11-6, 15-13 (60m)
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [Q] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (47m)
Adrian Grant (ENG) bt [Q] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-9, 8-11, 11-1, 5-11, 11-9 (88m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 (66m)

David completes missing US Open title!

October 13, 2012 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Nicol David (ri) added the one major title missing, as she beat Raneem El Weleily (le) 14-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 in the US Open final. The victory will come as a relief to the Malaysian, not only for adding the missing title to complete her set, but for also rising to the challenge of facing El Weleily who robbed her of a home Malaysian Open title last month.

A fast and furious first game got underway, with Egyptian fearless as ever in her attacking shots and David forced to play a waiting game for the younger player’s mistakes which made the difference in the end.

Overdue for Nicol David, she sets a new record for number of WSA titles won, moving ahead of legendary player Sarah Fitz-Gerald to 63 titles.

Final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) 14-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 (45m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Joelle King (NZL) 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7 (83m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt [4] Laura Massaro (ENG) 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-4 (60m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Alison Waters (ENG) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (41m)
[Q] Joelle King (NZL) bt [3] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 8-11, 11-4, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 (42m)
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [5] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (44m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Kasey Brown (AUS) 11-8, 11-13, 12-10, 11-9 (47m)

1st round:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Camille Serme (FRA) 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 (42m)
[Q] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [8] Natalie Grinham (NED) 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7 (53m)
[3] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 (33m)
[Q] Joelle King (NZL) bt [7] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 12-10, 11-6, 11-5 (39m)
[5] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [Q] Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2 (39m)
[4] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Kristen Lange (USA) 11-0, 11-3, 11-4 (19m)
Kasey Brown (AUS) bt [6] Annie Au (HKG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 (46m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5 (38m)

Ramy an Greg to contest US Open final

October 12, 2012 • Tags: , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

After overturning recent form, it will be 3rd seed Greg Gaultier and No4 seed Ramy Ashour (ri) who contest the unexpected final of the US Open following the exit of the 2 top seeds from England in the semi-finals in Philadelphia.

Gaultier was ahead throughout and always seemed to be in charge of the rallies. It was a fine performance from Gaultier that earned the 29-year-old from France a well-deserved 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 win, and a place in the 46th Tour final of his career.

In fact Ashour claimed the other place in the final in 74 minutes – with a performance that was entirely different from his display in the previous round when he beat Peter Barker after saving a match-ball in the decider. His opponent was another Englishman Nick Matthew (le), the 2nd seed bidding to reach a 2nd successive final.

Matthew took an early lead lost the 1st game 15-13. But the world No2 managed to level. It was the 25-year-old from Cairo who raced away to clinch the 15-13, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 victory with a trademark volley drop.

Final: [3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY)

Semi-finals:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [1] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (53m)
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 15-13, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (74m)

David survived to make US Open final!

October 12, 2012 • Tags: , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Top seed Nicol David (ri) was the 1st player to book a place in the US Open final, but not before qualifier Joelle King (le) from New Zealand launched a thrilling comeback.

The Malaysian six-time world champion David, started off well with a 2 games lead as King came back strong to level and take the match into a decider. King looked like the winner as she raced to a 6-0 lead, but David was able to turn the momentum and took the 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7 victory.

Laura Massaro, last year’s US Open champion, raced to a 2/1 lead in games in the 2nd semi against Raneem El Weileily. The young Egyptian capitalised on Massaro’s mistakes to take the 4th game in the tie-break to force the deciding 5th game which she closed out 11-4 to make the US Open final.

Final: [1] Nicol David (MAS) vs [2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY)

Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Joelle King (NZL) 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-7 (83m)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt [4] Laura Massaro (ENG) 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-4 (60m)

Matthew and Ashour prevail in dramatic 5-game US quarters!

October 12, 2012 • Tags: , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

England’s Nick Matthew and Egyptian Ramy Ashour prevailed as predicted to reach the semi-finals of the US Open in Philadelphia, but both players were taken the full distance.

In a sensational second night of quarter-final action, 2nd seed Matthew overturned last year’s final outcome after coming back from 1/2 down to beat Egypt’s twice champion Amr Shabana 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9 in 92 minutes, while Ramy Ashour (le), the No4 seed, survived a tie-break decider to overcome Englishman Peter Barker (ri) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 in 75 minutes.

Semi-final line-up:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) v [3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) v [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY)

Quarter-finals (lower half of draw):
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 (75m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [7] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9 (92m)

King books maiden World Series semi appearance!

October 11, 2012 • Tags: , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Joelle King (ri) recorded the biggest win of her career so far after scalping No.3 seed Jenny Duncalf (le) in five games 8-11, 11-4, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 secure the maiden semi-final spot at the World Series event. King will now face Nicol David who took 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 revenge on Alison Water as the Englishwomen defeated David in the Carol Weymuller Open in New York t2 weeks ago.

Last year’s US Open Champion Laura Massaro confirmed her place in the semi-final with a confident win over Irishwoman Madeline Perry 11-6, 11-9, 11-7. Massaro will meet Egyptian Raneem El Weleily who closed out Kasey Brown, last year’s runner-up, 11-8, 11-13, 12-10, 11-9.

Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [Q] Joelle King (NZL)
[2] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v [4] Laura Massaro (ENG)

Willstrop survives El Shorbagy US Open marathon!

October 10, 2012 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

England’s World No1 James Willstrop (le) survived his 3rd consecutive match lasting more than 80 minutes when he beat 8th-seeded Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy (ri) 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5 in the quarter-finals of the US Open in Philadelphia.

Willstrop will face career-long French rival Greg Gaultier for a place in the final. The 3rd seed beat 5th-seeded Egyptian Karim Darwish 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 in 61 minutes.

Quarter-finals (top half of draw):
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5 (90m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [5] Karim Darwish (EGY) 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (61m)
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