Ramy Ashour (pic) and Raneem El Weleily triumphed in contrasting Hurghada International finals to secure a popular home double in the Egyptian Red Sea resort. In what he described as ‘one of the toughest matches we’ve played together’, world No2 Ashour faced his Egyptian team-mate and fellow former world No1 Karim Darwish, world No3, in the climax of the men’s event. In a repeat of the 2010 final, defending champion Ashour came back from 1/2 down to overcome his compatriot 11-9, 9-11, 12-14, 11-9, 11-3 in 80 minutes to claim the title for the 4th year in a row. The final of the women’s event produced a breakthrough win for Raneem El Weleily against her country’s No1 Omneya Abdel Kawy. But in her 8th Tour clash with world No8 Abdel Kawy since June 2006, El Weleily claimed her maiden victory – beating the title-holder and four times champion 11-5, 12-10, 11-9 in just 27 minutes.
