"Being World No.1 one is about being able to win when you are not at your best and that's what I was able to do today," said Elshorbagy. 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)
