Ramy Ashour (EGY) beat Nick Matthew (Eng) after 74 minutes 11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 in a thrilling semi-final encounter (photo: Steve Cubbins, SquashSite). 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.
