March 2015

El Tayeb downs Sherbini in Windy quarters!

March 3, 2015 • Tags: , , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb (ri) was able to produce the biggest upset in the women’s quarter-finals of the Windy City Open when she downed compatriot Nour El Sherbini (le), the World No.4 in straight games in Chicago, USA.

“I made a game plan today and stuck to it – and thankfully I was able to come through the match,” admitted El Tayeb, the 21-year-old World No.7 from Cairo, after her resounding 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 victory.

The young Egyptian’s next opponent: World No.1 Nicol David suffered a rare quarter-final exit at this year’s Tournament of Champions when Alison Waters beat the favourite for only the second time in 25 meetings. But the Malaysian was back to her supreme best at the Cathedral Hall in Chicago where David defeated Waters 12-10, 12-10, 11-7 in 40 minutes.

Camille Serme and 2014 runner-up Raneem El Welily will celebrate their 2nd successive appearances in the semi-finals after prevailing in the quarter-finals in the lower half of the draw. Serme, the new world No.6 from France, ended England’s Emma Beddoes’ impressive Chicago run, beating the 16th seed 11-4, 11-2, 11-5.

El Welily, the world No.2 from Egypt, won her 10th Tour meeting with Malaysian Low Wee Wern, beating the seventh seed 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9

Semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [6] Camille Serme (FRA)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [5] Alison Waters (ENG) 12-10, 12-10, 11-7 (40m)
[8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 (29m)
[6] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [16] Emma Beddoes (ENG) 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (31m)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [7] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9 (39m)

2nd round:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Heba El Torky (EGY) 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (27m)
[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [Q] Victoria Lust (ENG) 13-11, 11-5, 11-4 (32m)
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [10] Annie Au (HKG) 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8 (45m)
[8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [13] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (34m)
[6] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [14] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-9, 11-13, 11-6, 11-5 (60m)
[16] Emma Beddoes (ENG) bt [3] Laura Massaro (ENG) 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7 (58m)
[7] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt [11] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 7-11, 11-2, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6 (58m)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8 (44m)

1st round:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA) 11-3, 11-6, 12-10 (30m)
[Q] Heba El Torky (EGY) bt [12] Dipika Pallikal (IND) 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-6 (43m)
[Q] Victoria Lust (ENG) bt [15] Nouran Gohar (EGY) 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6 (55m)
[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt Natalie Grinham (NED) 12-10, 11-3, 12-10 (27m)
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [Q] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 11-1, 11-4, 11-7 (22m)
[10] Annie Au (HKG) bt Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 12-10, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8 (42m)
[13] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [Q] Samantha Teran (MEX) w/o
[8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt Joshana Chinappa (IND) 11-8, 11-3, 12-10 (35m)
[6] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [Q] Samantha Cornett (CAN) 11-6, 11-5, 11-3 (26m)
[14] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (37m)
[16] Emma Beddoes (ENG) bt Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) 4-0 ret.
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [Q] Delia Arnold (MAS) 7-11, 11-5, 11-6, 13-11 (50m)
[7] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Habiba Mohamed (EGY) 11-8, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6 (65m)
[11] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Joey Chan (HKG) 11-6, 2-11, 15-13, 11-6 (41m)
[9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [Q] Tesni Evans (WAL) 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8 (44m)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [Q] Line Hansen (DEN) 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 (25m)

Which other Olympic sport is able to cope with this cool stuff?

March 3, 2015 • Tags: , , • Categories: all posts, associations, supporters

Which other Olympic sport is able to cope with this cool stuff? All the squash fans in the world would propably come to the same conclusion: No way, no other sport show these interesting views, angles and now also LED lines and lights.

The Floor of the future!

The ASB GlassFloor is the most advanced flooring system in the world. Its unique aluminium substructure and the custom made surface of the glass deliver a floor ideal for a sports floor but also for its use in any modern building.

TheStar.com article
“A cutting-edge condo amenity soon to be introduced in the GTA has the luxury of nine lives — maybe more.

It will be the world’s first convertible and multi-purpose LED-lit sports court in a condominium tower, and it’s destined for 5959 Yonge St. — a two-tower, mixed-use development now in the planning stages for the east side of Yonge St. at Cummer Ave … ”

Read the full story…

Elshorbagy Brothers to meet in Windy City semis!

March 3, 2015 • Tags: , , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy, the 24-year-old Egyptian, will take on younger brother Marwan, the 21-year-old World No.14, for a place in the final of the 2015 Windy City Open in Chicago.

The brothers have met 3 times on the PSA World Tour, with Mohamed undefeated so far, but with Marwan making his debut appearance in the semi-finals of a PSA World Series event, their showdown in Chicago will be the biggest so far.

Mohamed booked his place in the final with an impressive 3-0 win over Tarek Momen, the World No.7. “I had to play so well to beat Tarek and I’m happy to get through especially because I now get to play my brother in the semi-final of a World Series event for the first time”, Mohamed said.

“I’m in the semi-final of a World Series event and I’m only 21-years-old, I’m very, very happy. Before I came out here for this tournament I was relaxing with some of my friends back home in Bristol and they said that I have nothing to lose and I just gave it my best and I’m so happy to be in the semi-finals – I’m speechless.,” said Marwan in the wake of his 3-2 victory over Karim Abdel Gawad in the quarter-finals.

The 2nd semi-final will see long-time arch rivals Nick Matthew and Gregory Gaultier go face-to-face, after Matthew beat English team-mate Peter Barker in straight games, while Frenchman Gaultier was in full control to beat Egyptian Omar Mosad without dropping a game.

Semi-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [4] Nick Matthew (ENG)

Quarter-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [6] Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-7, 11-9, 14-12 (61m)
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 12-10, 7-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9 (74m)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [5] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 (44m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 14-12 (49m)

Beddoes downs titleholder Massaro in Chicago!

March 2, 2015 • Tags: , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

England’s Emma Beddoes recorded the best wins of her career in the 2nd round of the Windy City Open, when she overcame compatriot Laura Massaro, the defending champion ranked 3 in the world, to reach the quarter-finals in Chicago.

Massaro twice led in the match – but underdog Beddoes battled back both times to draw level, surviving a tie-break 4th game to force the decider to clinch her breakthrough victory, winning 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7 to secure her surprise place in the event’s last 8. “I can’t quite believe I’ve just won,” exclaimed the jubilant 29-year-old Beddoes afterwards.

Beddoes progresses to face sixth seed Camille Serme after the French number one ended 14th seed Sarah-Jane Perry’s winning streak 11-9, 11-13, 11-6, 11-5.

Elsewhere all seeds gone safely through into the quarters.

Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [5] Alison Waters (ENG)
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
[16] Emma Beddoes (ENG) v [6] Camille Serme (FRA)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [7] Low Wee Wern (MAS)

2nd round results:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Heba El Torky (EGY) 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (27m)
[5] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [Q] Victoria Lust (ENG) 13-11, 11-5, 11-4 (32m)
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [10] Annie Au (HKG) 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8 (45m)
[8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [13] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (34m)
[6] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [14] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 11-9, 11-13, 11-6, 11-5 (60m)
[16] Emma Beddoes (ENG) bt [3] Laura Massaro (ENG) 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7 (58m)
[7] Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt [11] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 7-11, 11-2, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6 (58m)
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8 (44m)
(pic: Steve Cubbins)

Gawad and young Elshorbagy surprising in Chicago!

March 2, 2015 • Tags: , , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

23-year-old Karim Abdel Gawad and fellow Egyptian Marwan Elshorbagy headlined the two major upsets during the two days of second round action at the 2015 Windy City Open in Chicago in contrasting styles.

As Gawad World No.20, surprised with 11-7, 5-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4 victory over World No.6 Miguel Angel Rodriguez of Colombia, 21-year-old World No.14 Elshorbagy also earned a surprise berth in the last eight after his opponent, four-time World Champions Amr Shabana, retired caused by an injury. In a 78-minute encounter, Gawad, who came into the event fresh from winning the 2015 Pittsburgh Open, played with patience and composure during some ferocious rallies before eventually completing a well-earned win. “Miguel is one of the best players on the tour and it was a tough match against him today,” said Gawad.

Elsewhere all seed have been into the quarters, apart from World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) and World No.8 Peter Barker (ENG) had to go for the full distance to secure their quarter-final spaces. After narrowly avoiding a first round exit at the hands of Fares Dessouki in a gripping opening encounter, 25-year-old Mohamed hung on once again, drawing on all his reserves to see off a spirited challenge from Indian Saurav Ghosal – winning 3-2. “All credit to Saurav for an amazing performance today because h put me under a lot of pressure from the start,” said Elshorbagy.

Quarter-finals:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [6] Tarek Momen (EGY)
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) v Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) v [5] Peter Barker (ENG)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

2nd round:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-5, 4-11, 1-11, 11-5, 11-7 (61m)
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-6, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8 (50m)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [7] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-7, 5-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4 (78m)
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [3] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-7, 7-2 ret.
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 (56m)
[5] Peter Barker (ENG) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6 (81m)
[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 (44m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 (41m)

Seeds with no big problems into round 2 in Chicago!

March 1, 2015 • Tags: , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Egyptian Omar Mosaad (ri) and England’s Peter Barker had the hardest fights to make the 2nd round in the 8 bottom half 1st-round matches at the Windy City Open in Chicago. World No11 Mosaad came back from 1 game down to bet German World No10 Simon Rosner 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 13-11 after 76 minutes pf play.

Barker, World No8 came back from 1 game and game ball (in the 2nd) down to overcome South African fellow Stephen Coppinger 6-11, 14-12, 11-6, 11-3 after 66 minutes of contrasting squash.

1st round results of the 2st day (bottom half):
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Borja Golan (ESP) 11-9, 11-6, 13-11 (62m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [WC] Chris Hanson (USA) 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 (35m)
James Willstrop (ENG) bt [Q] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5 (50m)
[5] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 6-11, 14-12, 11-6, 11-3 (66m)
[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Simon Rösner (GER) 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 13-11 (76m)
Alister Walker (BOT) bt [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 13-11, 11-3, 11-5 (29m)
Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [Q] Greg Lobban (SCO) 11-4, 11-3, 11-9 (46m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [Q] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 11-1, 11-1, 11-4 (23m)