2015

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)

Elshorbagy survives Dessouki’s challenge in Chicago!

February 27, 2015 • Tags: , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

24-year-old World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy (ri) survived just, as he overcame the attacks of 4-year-younger Egyptian compatriot Fares Dessouki (le) to take the victory in the 1st round at the 2015 Windy City Open in Chicago.

But after failing to capitalize on a match-point opportunity, Dessouki allowed 24-time-finalist Elshorbagy back in and he made no mistakes, eventually sealing an 11-9, 3-11, 10-12, 11-7, 13-11 victory after 101 punishing minutes.

“I’ve known Fares for a long time, since we came through the same club, and he’s already competing with the top players and he’s only 20. It was experience that made the difference at the end but it’s only a matter of time until he’s competing in the finals of major events,” said Elshorbagy.

Earlier in the day four-time World Champion Amr Shabana, the 35-year-old Egyptian who paved the way for the current plethora of top class Egyptian stars, moved into the 2nd round with an assured 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 victory over Chris Simpson.

There was further joy for Egyptian squash with victories for World No.7 Tarek Momen and World No.20 Karim Abdel Gawad while Indian Saurav Ghosal, Swiss star Nicolas Mueller and Colombian live-wire Miguel Angel Rodriguez rounded out the top half of action with victories.

1st round – top half:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Fares Dessouki (EGY) 11-9, 3-11, 10-12, 11-7, 13-11 (101m)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt Max Lee (HKG) 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 11-13, 13-11 (76m)
Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 9-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-9 (37m)
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9 (51m)
[7] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4 (61m)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 11-5, 11-1, 8-11, 11-5 (46m)
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 6-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 (54m)
[3] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 11-6 (42m)

Gaultier takes Toronto Cambridge Cup!

February 21, 2015 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

8 of the top players in the World, playing the annual Cambridge Cup in 4 club in Toronto and Frenchman Greg Gaultier ended up to be the winner. In the final the World No2 stayed in control of the match to beat World No1 and Cambridge Cup title holder Mohamed Elshorbagy in straight games.

Final:
Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) 11-7, 13-11, 11-9

3rd place play-off:
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt Amr Shabana (EGY) 12-14, 11-2, 11-8, 11-4

Semi-Finals:
Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 9-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7
Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Amr Shabana (EGY) 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8

Quarter-Finals:
Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-9, 16-14, 11-8
Miguel Angel Rodriguez bt Peter Barker (ENG) 6-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6
Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8
Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-8, 11-8, 16-18, 11-7

Matthew record-breaking No7 – Perry for the first time!

February 19, 2015 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Records tumbled at the British National Squash Championships when World No3 Nick Matthew beat England team-mate Daryl Selby in the men’s final in Manchester.

The straight games victory (11-5, 11-3, 11-2) saw the 34-year-old defending champion from Sheffield clinch his 7th title – more than any other man or woman in the 42-year history of the championship and surpassing the 6-title record set by Cassie Jackman in 2004. “It was a massive goal of mine to break the (title) record,” said Matthew.

The women’s final showed the surprising victory of World No 16 Sarah-Jane Perry, as she was able World No5 Alison Waters and the World No3 Laura Massaro (12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 10-12, 11-7), the reigning and the previous champion in consecutive matches, to deserve to be the new and 1st time British Champion. “To beat two of the top five players in the world back to back, neither of whom I’d ever beaten before is pretty special, and I’m quite proud of myself,” Perry concluded.

Win a TOG Summer Squash Camp!

February 14, 2015 • Tags: , , , • Categories: all posts, players

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