Gaultier Beats Elshorbagy to Win Toronto Cambridge Cup Invitational by Jonathon Madruga February 20, 2015
Finals
day at the Cambridge Cup and the crowd is buzzing. We start things off
with the ¾ match finding World #5 Amr Shabana Vs #6 Miguel Angel
Rodriguez and it was just as great as it looks on paper.
Believe it or not the start to this battle was slow. Flashes of
attacking and pace, but quick exchanges of errors had both players
settling into the match early and waiting for chances. Amr finds his
range with a classic, what we at the Cambridge like to call, “carving
the turkey” cut drop into the front right and un-gettable. Match is
underway now with Rodriguez flashing around the court picking up get
after get, Shabana hits a lefty backhand philly, Miguel retrieves,
Shabana hits a forehand philly to perfection that comes across glued to
the back wall and Rodriguez looks at Shabs with a sheepish smile. 4-3
Shabana. Angel, answers with some flare of his own crushing a forehand
cross nick. With a lot of front to back movement these two exchange
points to 10 all with Shabs closing a grueling rally out, with another
perfect forehand philly. He follows it up with a pouncing hold no look
backhand drop off the Rodriguez loose ball. Shabana takes the game with
a late tin from Miguel.
Game 2 starts off with a bang. The Colobian Cannonball hits a jumping
forehand crosscourt nick to open game two and has a refreshed
determination in his eyes to make is mark at the Cambridge cup. He
keeps the momentum going keeping Shabs a half step behind and working
in some unassuming trickle boasts. Amr punches back with a low
controlled volley touch that finds the nick, but the Colombian was
fired up in this game salivating at the front wall waiting for a
defensive off the back wall shot from Shabs and proceeds with a
forehand volley drop that finds the nick…unbelievable. Games are tied
and crowd is alive.
Now into the meat of the match the players go back and forth exchanging
penetrating length’s and high pressure drops, while displaying their
class to the onlookers. Shabana is going for it, nick’s Miguel’s serve,
then hits a brilliantly poised hold freezing Rod on the T and popping
the ball down the rail. The Columbian Cannonball won’t be stopped and
keeps on rolling, exhibiting a swing around the ball forehand that
pauses Shabana and continues to drive wide of the Egyptian. Miguel
continues with an effective power boast and a late error from Shabs
makes it 2-1 Colombia.
Rodriguez is determined and displaying deception not many have
witnessed by motioning to grab the ball mid-rally, but then quickly
retracting the grab and driving the ball down the forehand side,
Shabana gets it and steps up on a Angel loose ball, hitting a backhand
no look drop while walking away, Rod scrapes it up, but just for Amr to
pound the ball into the back….stellar. From here the Colombian pushed
forward with fait on his side, he hits a top spin cross lob off his
backhand with high-arching dead weight and the ball pops straight up on
the back wall with Shabana stuck to the glass in disbelief and smiling
through the glass at the crowd while clapping his racquet for his
competitor. Rodriguez takes the bronze medal match 11-4 in what was a
highly entertaining contest!
The Final: #1 Mohamed Elshorbagy Vs #2 Gregory Gaultier
“Gaultier Tames “The Beast” in Cambridge Cup Final”
The final at the Cambridge Cup could not have been hand selected any
better with the two best squash players on the planet facing off. The
Frenchman is clearly keen to de-throne the previous back to back
Champion Elshorbagy.
With an opening 37 shot rally both players quickly burn off their
adrenaline with Elshorbagy on the winning end of the point followed by
a “Here we go” glance at Greg and a coy grin. At the mid-game point
these two are quickly living up to their best in the world titles, with
Gaultier’s lightning fast counter drops and Elshorbagy’s digs off the
playcon, the Cambridge Club fans are watching in awe. Greg rallies on,
showing variety with an unexpected trickle boast, wrong footing
Shorbagy. Some late focus turns to the ref with a couple controversial
out calls, which rapidly intensifies the mood between the competitor’s,
both wanting to raise the trophy high! Gaultier is up one game after a
rare error from the world #1, 11-7 Gaultier.
Both men come out trading “showman” shots and the crowd is immediately
captivated. Mohamed continues on and sells a lean left drive right
forehand with the Frenchman watching from mid-court. Shorbagy’s not
done… next rally has the Egyptian leaping for a full extension backhand
volley that he manages to flick down into the crosscourt nick, with
Greg applauding as a true fan of excellence in the sport. Gaultier is
seeking an answer against the world #1, but Elshorbagy shows no signs
of letting up. Continuing to exhibit his bag of tricks he anticipates a
cross drive from Greg and quickly snaps the ball straight, leaving the
Cambridge Cup attendee’s howling. Gaultier is inspired and has had
enough. He storms back with quick put away holds and carving nicks to
pull the game to 11-11. Both players hesitant to end the game and go
for the winner, trade errors. Elshorbagy goes for it with one of his
most famous shots, the through the legs forehand straight nick drop off
the back wall, but finds tin. The Frenchman leads by two, 13-11.
Elshorbagy comes out in the third with a show-stopper of a shot. His
token full swinging crosscourt racquet motion that deceptively drives
the ball straight and has Gaultier leaning and looking for the cross.
These guys are in their element, with fakes and holds everywhere trying
to catch the other off guard….Mohamed proceeds to do so with a triple
forehand fake that he crushes left when Greg inches right…. Special to
watch. The class of these two is next level. Deep into a late rally
Elshorbagy hits a behind the back off Gaultier’s cross and Greg
responds with a through the legs drop nick into the front left giving
the World #1 a “There’s more where that came from” look and friendly
smirk. With Elshorbagy trying to get on the board, Gaultier steams
ahead with crushing low drives to perfect length and successfully
becomes the 2015 Cambridge Cup Champion winning 3-0 against world #1
Elshorbagy, 11-9!
Amazing stuff… Thanks to all that came out, supported Cambridge Cup and see you all next year!
