A straight games victory (11-5, 11-4) over Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema in the 2nd pool round of the World Series Squash Finals in London has guaranteed Egypt’s Amr Shabana a place in the semi-finals of event for the 6th year in a row. His 2nd win in a row ensures his place in Saturday’s semi-finals – but 1st he will face group 2 rival Greg Gaultier tomorrow to decide the group winner.
Frenchman Gaultier (pic) notched up his 2nd pool win after beating Londoner Peter Barker 14-12, 11-6 in 44 minutes. James Willstrop kept home hopes alive in group 1, as he had an impressive 11-7, 11-6 win over 20-year-old World Series Finals debutant Mohamed El Shorbagy. In the opening match, Karim Darwish of Egypt earned his 1st win of the event when he beat Malaysian Azlan Iskandar 11-4, 8-11, 11-5.
Group 1
James Willstrop (England, WR 1) – 2 wins
Mohamed El Shorbagy (Egypt, WR 6) – 1 win
Karim Darwish (Egypt, WR 5) – 1 win
Mohd Azlan Iskandar (Malaysia, WR 10)
Group 2
Gregory Gaultier (France, WR 3) – 2 wins
Amr Shabana (Egypt, WR 8) – 2 wins
Peter Barker (England, WR 7)
Laurens Jan Anjema (Netherlands, WR 9)
Friday 6th January 2012 – schedule of the last group matches:
Group 1 – James Willstrop v Azlan Iskandar
Group 1 – Mohamed El Shorbagy v Karim Darwish
Group 2 – Peter Barker v Laurens Jan Anjema
Group 2 – Greg Gaultier v Amr Shabana