September 2014

Top Seeds into San Francisco semi-finals!

The 4 top seeds made the semi-finals of the NetSuite Open in San Francisco. While World No.1 Gregory Gaultier, England’s Peter Barker and Colombian No.4 seed Miguel Angel Rodriguez eased into the semi-finals, 2nd seed 4 time World Champion Am Shabana took 54-minutes to beat England’s Adrian Grant, the World No.24, in a four-game contest 11-6, 11-3, 6-11, 11-8.

Semi-finals setup:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) v [2] Amr Shabana (EGY)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-4 (31min)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [5] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 2-0: 11-4, 11-5 (Ret. 29min)
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 (46min)
[2] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [8] Adrian Grant (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 11-3, 6-11, 11-9 (54min)

1st round:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 (41m)
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt [7] Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 12-10 (96m)
[5] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [Q] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 4-11, 11-9 (61m)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 (34m)
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) bt [WC] Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (44m)
Alister Walker (BOT) bt [6] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 7-11, 11-6, 14-12, 5-11, 11-4 (98m)
[8] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt [Q] Campbell Grayson (NZL) 5-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-6
[2] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 (31m)


Jens Schoor takes NASH Cup in style!

German giant-killer Jens Schoor scored his 3rd upset in 4 days at The NASH Cup 2014 in Canada when he beat England’s No4 seed Eddie Charlton to win the biggest PSA World Tour title of his career in London, Ontario.

The unseeded 27-year-old from Koblenz made his breakthrough in the opening round when he despatched 6th-seeded Englishman Charles Sharpes.

Schoor’s next higher-ranked victim was 2nd seed Karim Ali Fathi. The German underdog, ranked 87 in the world, ousted the in-form World No.46 from Egypt in 5 games to reach the 10th Tour final of his career.

But Charlton, the world No55 from Nottingham, also recorded an impressive upset in the semi-finals – overcoming Joe Lee when his top-seeded compatriot retired injured midway through the fourth game.

Sure-footed Schoor was unstoppable in the final – needing just three games to see off Charlton 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 in 37 minutes to claim the eighth Tour title of his career, but his biggest by far.

Schoor attributed his success to his Ontario hosts: “My billets hand-washed my shorts today because of my superstition of playing in the same clothing as last night when I had that great win over Karim,” said the new champion. “So, I guess I owe my win to my billets!”

Charlton conceded: “Jens played the better squash today and deserved the win.”

Final:
Jens Schoor (GER) bt [4] Eddie Charlton (GBR) 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (37m)

Semi-finals:
[4] Eddie Charlton (GBR) bt [1] Joe Lee (ENG) 11-8, 11-5, 3-11, 0-2 ret. (59m)
Jens Schoor (GER) bt [2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 11-7, 6-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7 (58m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Joe Lee (ENG) bt [7] Peter Creed (WAL) 11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7 (58m)
[4] Eddie Charlton (GBR) bt [5] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-9, 11-1, 11-4 (40m)
Jens Schoor (GER) bt [LL] Sunil Seth (GUY) 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (30m)
[2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt [8] Declan James (ENG) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 (46m)

1st round:
[1] Joe Lee (ENG) bt Lewis Walters (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3 (53m)
[7] Peter Creed (WAL) bt [Q] George Parker (ENG) 8-11, 11-3, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5 (46m)
[5] Raphael Kandra (GER) bt [Q] Nicholas Sachvie (CAN) 11-0, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6 (38m)
[4] Eddie Charlton (GBR) bt [Q] James van Staveren (CAN) 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 (35m)
[LL] Sunil Seth (GUY) bt [WC] Albert Shoihet (CAN) 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8 (63m)
Jens Schoor (GER) bt [6] Charles Sharpes (ENG) 5-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9 (58m)
[8] Declan James (ENG) bt [Q] Jan van den Herrewegen (BEL) 11-8, 11-6, 13-11 (37m)
[2] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt Dane Sharp (CAN) 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (55m)


David and Al Muzayen taking Asian Games Gold!

While Malaysia’s Nicol David celebrated her 4th Squash gold medal in the 17th Asian Games in the Republic of Korea, it was a historic 1st gold for Kuwait when underdog Abdullah Al Muzayen (together with Kuwait coach Nasser Zahran) recovered from 0/2 down to beat top seed Saurav Ghosal in the men’s final in Incheon.

Nicol David, who has topped the women’s world rankings unopposed since August 2006, won her first Asian Games gold medal in Thailand in 1998 – aged just 15 – then triumphed again in 2006 in Qatar and 2010 in China.

Al Muzayen was making only his second appearance in the Asian Games after reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.

Men’s draw:
Final:
[5/8] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt [1] Saurav Ghosal (IND) 10-12, 2-11, 14-12, 11-8, 11-9 (87m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [3/4] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 11-9, 11-4, 11-5 (45m)
[5/8] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt [2] Max Lee (HKG) 6-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8 (75m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [5/8] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) 11-6, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9 (58m)
[3/4] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) bt [5/8] Leo Au (HKG) 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7 (68m)
[5/8] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt [3/4] Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 (65m)
[2] Max Lee (HKG) bt [5/8] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 11-2 (55m)

2nd round:
[1] Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt [9/16] Ahmad Al-Saraj (JOR) 11-2, 11-4, 11-3 (34m)
[5/8] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt [9/16] Sehyun Lee (KOR) 6-11, 11-1, 11-4, 11-6 (36m)
[5/8] Leo Au (HKG) bt [9/16] Shinnosuke Tsukue (JPN) 11-8, 14-16, 11-4, 11-8 (49m)
[3/4] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) bt [9/16] Farhan Mehboob (PAK) 11-9, 11-6, 11-3 (35m)
[3/4] Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) bt Junjie Wang (CHN) 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 (28m)
[5/8] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt [9/16] Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) 11-4, 11-6, 11-2 (27m)
[5/8] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) bt [9/16] Ammar Altamimi (KUW) 11-9, 5-11, 12-14, 12-10, 11-7 (64m)
[2] Max Lee (HKG) bt Seung-Jun Lee (KOR) 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5 (46m)

Women’s draw:
Final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10 (60m)

Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [3/4] Dipika Pallikal (IND) 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (25m)
[2] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt [3/4] Annie Au (HKG) 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 (39m)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [5/8] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 (31m)
[3/4] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt [5/8] Joshana Chinappa (IND) 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 15-17, 11-9 (87m)
[3/4] Annie Au (HKG) bt [5/8] Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK) 11-3, 11-4, 11-4 (18m)
[2] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt [5/8] Joey Chan (HKG) 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5 (53m)

1st round:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bye
[5/8] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) bt Muqaddas Ashraf (PAK) 11-2, 11-5, 11-4 (20m)
[5/8] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt Song Sun-Mi (KOR) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (30m)
[3/4] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt Gu Jinyue (CHN) 11-6, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4 (39m)
[3/4] Annie Au (HKG) bt Chinatsu Matsui (JPN) 11-2, 11-3, 10-12, 11-6 (30m)
[5/8] Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK) bt Li Dongjin (CHN) 9-11, 13-11, 11-1, 11-2 (34m)
[5/8] Joey Chan (HKG) bt Liu Kwai Chi (MAC) 11-2, 11-5, 11-1 (13m)
[2] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Park Eun Ok (KOR) 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 (36m)


Mohamed won brother fight to take Mexico Title!

23-year-old World No.3 Mohamed Elshorbagy felt no mercy with his 2 years younger brother, when he beat Marwan in the final of the Mexican Open in straight games (11-3, 11-3, 11-2) by dropping only 8 points.

It’s the 3rd PSA World Tour title Mohamed claimed in less than a month after his victory in the Malaysian Open and the Hong Kong Open.

Final:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) 11-3, 11-3, 11-2

Semi-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 8-2 ret.
[6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [WC] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 12-10, 2-11, 11-7, 11-7

Quarter-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 (40m)
[4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [Q] Diego Elias (PER) 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10 (65m)
[WC] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [7] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-9, 11-7, 3-11, 8-11, 12-10 (85m)
[6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [2] Simon Rösner (GER) 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 (38m)

1st round:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Alfredo Avila (MEX) 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)
[5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5 (42m)
[Q] Diego Elias (PER) bt [8] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 11-5, 11-3, 3-11, 11-6 (63m)
[4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 (56m)
[WC] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [3] Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (35m)
[7] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [Q] Shaun le Roux (RSA) 11-2, 11-6, 11-2 (28m)
[6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Arturo Salazar (MEX) 11-4, 11-9, 1-11, 13-11 (43m)
[2] Simon Rösner (GER) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (38m)


The Elshorbagy rules in Mexico!

It’s an all-Shorbagy final at the Mexican Open, as Mohamed Elshorbagy (ri) overcame egyptian compatriot Omar Mosaad (11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 8-2 ret.) and younger brother Marwan (le) ended Mexican final hopes of Cesar Salazar (12-10, 2-11, 11-7, 11-7), who came with the wild card into the main draw.

“To play a final against a big brother in a big tournament has always been a dream for me”, Marwan said on twitter after his semi success.

Final:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY)

Semi-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 8-2 ret.
[6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [WC] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 12-10, 2-11, 11-7, 11-7

Quarter-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5 (40m)
[4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [Q] Diego Elias (PER) 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 12-10 (65m)
[WC] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [7] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-9, 11-7, 3-11, 8-11, 12-10 (85m)
[6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [2] Simon Rösner (GER) 12-10, 11-9, 11-8 (38m)

1st round:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Alfredo Avila (MEX) 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (33m)
[5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5 (42m)
[Q] Diego Elias (PER) bt [8] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 11-5, 11-3, 3-11, 11-6 (63m)
[4] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 12-10, 11-7, 11-8 (56m)
[WC] Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [3] Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (35m)
[7] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [Q] Shaun le Roux (RSA) 11-2, 11-6, 11-2 (28m)
[6] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Arturo Salazar (MEX) 11-4, 11-9, 1-11, 13-11 (43m)
[2] Simon Rösner (GER) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (38m)