"In the fifth game I had to use all my concentration to make sure I kept my level up and I'm happy with how I managed to do that," said Gawad (pic Marian Kraus). 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)
