Category: "players"

Everythings seems to be fine with World No1 James Willstrop in the 1st game as the Englishman managed to control and lead most of it, but Ramy Ashour (pi) injects pace at the end to take the game on extra points.

Ramy’s comeback had different effects on the players. As Ashour was on fire and dominated the 2nd game at his discretion, Willstrop started to complain about the court conditions. Ashour did not take any notice and doubled his advantage before an appreciative crowd.

During the break between game 2 and 3 Willstrop was in intense discussions with PSA CEO Alex Gough. Whatever had been discussed, Willstrop did not look as he seems to be very happy but came back on court for the 3rd game. The Egyptian did not mess around and lead the 3rd game 5-2 as Willstrop conceded the match due to the floor conditions (12-10, 11-5, 5-2 rtd).

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It was an unfortunate start to the El Gouna International semi-finals when the 1st semi-final was suspended in the 2nd game due to the players slipped on the floor of the glass court, as the wind at the Abu Tig Marina was loaded with sand too. James Willstrop had taken that game, which the players decided to continue on the traditional court inside the Movenpick hotel – where Willstrop quickly finished the match off in straight games (11-7, 11-5, 11-2).

Meanwhile after extensive court cleaning and testing of the floor by the players, the 2nd semi-final started on the ASB glass court, where Ramy Ashour (le) and Englishman Nick Matthew (ri) did not have any of the problems the 1st semi-final contenders had. Ashour reached his 2nd El Gouna final, winning a fast-paced and enthralling 4-game encounter 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 to set up another Egypt v England clash in tomorrow’s final.

World No1 James Willstrop faced an early onslaught from Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, who was delighted as he took the 28-minute 1st game 11-9. Willstrop quickly regrouped himself and started dominating the game to take the 9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5 victory after 69 minutes.

In the last quarter-final of the day Ramy Ashour (ri) delighted his home crowd at the Abu Tig marina with a marvelous attacking display against 2nd seed Greg Gaultier (le). To be fair, the Frenchman was equally impressive for most of the match, but Ashour found the necessary extra when it was needed to win 11-5, 12-10, 11-8.

The set-up of the semi-finals at El Gouna will be Egypt v England, Willstrop v Darwish and Matthew v Ashour.