The inaugural El Gouna International Open will climax in an all-Egyptian final after favourite Ramy Ashour and 3rd seed Karim Darwish prevailed in the semi-finals of the $142,500 event. Ashour, the world No1, was taken the full distance by Frenchman Greg Gaultier (pic) and ultimately prevailed 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-2 in 96 minutes. It was a tense, high-quality, encounter in which the Egyptian was 6-3 up in the 3rd when they collided. After a 13-minute break the battle continued and Ashour took the 3rd game. Gaultier came back to level the match, but had nothing left for the decider. Ashour’s national rival Karim Darwish, the world No5 reserved his place in the final with an 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5 win over surprise opponent Thierry Lincou, the No7 seed from France. Ashour is celebrating the 29th PSA Tour final of his career – and his seventh this year – while Darwish is marking his 31st Tour climax. Ashour is one win away from his third successive Super Series title success, while Darwish is seeking his first title in the 2010 PSA Super Series.
