Elshorbagy and David Triumph In Hong Kong by Nathan Clarke
photos PSA
December 6, 2015
- A scintillating performance from Nicol David saw her triumph in the
finale of the 2015 Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open
by defeating in-form Laura Massaro 3-0 to bring the Englishwoman’s 14
match unbeaten streak to an end and claim an unprecedented 10th
consecutive Hong Kong Open crown in the process.
Competing in her 100th PSA World Tour final the Malaysian came into the
match with the knowledge she hadn’t lost here since 2004 and played
with the confidence and aura that epitomised her style during a record
109-month streak as World No.1 as she controlled the court to hit an
astounding 30 winners during the 39 minute encounter.
“Winning the title in Hong Kong tonight for the tenth time means so, so
much to me,” said David, who notched up her 80th career title with
victory.
“I love playing here and it’s a very special place for me. I really
wanted to win this title and end the year strongly so winning tonight
was extra special. I enjoyed every minute on court.
“I felt good and I think that was one of my best performances in quite
a while. I know she’s a fighter who comes back strong but I wanted it
so badly today that I think that was the difference. I wanted to attack
from the start and just give it everything I had to get my hands on the
trophy.
“This tournament has been one of the best I have ever played and from
now on it’s all upwards. If I keep playing the way I’m playing and
performing well then I know titles will start to come again.”
Massaro, who will become World No.1 in January, said: “It was a high
quality match and I tried to fight for every point but it was just too
much in the end.
“The first game was crucial and it could have been a different match if
I’d taken that one but Nicol was playing at her best today, and I was a
little off my best, and that was ultimately the difference.”
In the men’s draw Egypt’s Mohamed Elshorbagy successfully defended his
crown by downing surprise title-challenger Cameron Pilley 3-0.
The 24-year-old Egyptian, who fell to World No.2 after a disappointing
third round exit at last month’s PSA World Championship, stuttered at
times but ultimately used his big match experience to his advantage to
restrict the hard-hitting Australian, who defeated World No.7 Simon
Rösner, World No.1 Gregory Gaultier and World No.3 Nick Matthew en
route to the finale.
Elshorbagy edged a closely contested opening game and from then on
enjoyed the ascendency as he took the match and the title 11-8, 11-6,
11-8.
“Winning a major final is always a great feeling and I really wanted to
come here and defend the title I won last year,” said Elshorbagy.
“Hong Kong is one of the biggest tournaments and titles on the tour and
there are some great names on that trophy so it’s an honour to know
that my name will be on there beside them once again.
“Cameron has had a great week, beating Greg and Nick especially, but I
am pleased with how I was able to put it all together this week and
especially tonight. I feel like I’ve dealt well with the tournament
mentally all week and I’m very happy to win and end the year on a high.”
Result - Final: Men’s 2015 Hong Kong Open
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-8 (41m)
Result - Final: Women’s 2015 Hong Kong Open
[2] Nicol David (MAS) bt [3] Laura Massaro (ENG) 3-0: 15-13, 11-5, 11-3 (39m)
