Elshorbagy Beats Gaultier in Five to Secure Maiden British Open Title by Nathan Clarke
photo Steve Cubbins, Allam British Open
photos Squashpics.com
17TH MAY 2015 -
Mohamed Elshorbagy captured his first Allam British Open, PSA World
Series title in emphatic style after triumphing over World No.3 Gregory
Gaultier in a high-octane 3-2 victory.
Elshorbagy was appearing in his first ever British Open final and had
to come through a stern test against three-time winner Nick Matthew in
his semi-final clash which the 24-year-old won 3-1.
Second seed Gaultier, whose compatriot Camille Serme won the women’s
event earlier in the day, came into the final off the back of a superb
win over Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez in straight games in the
previous round.
The Egyptian was in fine fettle at the outset of what was a close first
game. He used his impressive range to good effect against Gaultier who
grew increasingly frustrated with various refereeing decisions
throughout the opening game. Elshorbagy used the Frenchman’s emotions
against him and marched on to claim an 11-9 victory.
Gaultier managed to settle in the second game and the charismatic
second seed’s physical game was at its best, forcing Elshorbagy back to
gain governance of the tee. This tactic helped the Frenchman dictate
the play and emerge victorious from the second and third games.
After a good start to the fourth game, Elshorbagy found that unforced
errors started creeping into his game but he managed to claw back
enough of an advantage that saw him take the fourth game 11-8.
Alexandria-born Elshorbagy raced into an early lead in the fifth and
final game and some superb shots into the nick further enhanced his
credentials. With the match creeping over the hour and a half mark,
Elshorbagy claimed six championship balls. Two rallies later the
Egyptian hit a strong drive into the nick to earn the title and send
the crowd into raptures.
“Greg was playing so well today, he was absolutely killing me in that
second and third game and I didn’t know what to do,” Elshorbagy said.
“I just started hitting everything hard and just told myself not to
give up and to fight until the last point. I wanted to make him work as
hard as I could. I was lucky towards the end.
“So many prestigious names have won this trophy. Winning this title in
front of Jahangir Khan [ten-time winner] is such an honour. My own
coach, Jonah Barrington, won this title six times so to be able to put
my name on the same trophy is great.”
The Egyptian maestro has had a brilliant season but insists that the
hard work doesn’t stop there for him as he heads into the summer break.
“Before this season started I had three goals. They were to get to
World No.1, to win the World Championship and win the British Open. I
have got two out of three so you can imagine how hard I am going to
work this summer for that last goal next season.
“I am really happy. It means a lot to be able to put my name on this title.”
