Gaultier Through to $70K PSA Toluca Semis, Rodriguez Rallies by Howard Harding 21 September 2013
- Unseeded Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez ensured Latin American
interest in the semi-finals of the Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas in
Mexico after prevailing in a marathon upset over fourth seed Omar
Mosaad in the PSA World Tour International 70 squash event in its
second year in Toluca.
Rodriguez twice
stemmed fight backs by the higher-ranked Egyptian - but it took 113
minutes to claim the 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9 win which earned the
world No16 from Bogota a surprise place in the last four.
The Colombian will now
meet defending champion Gregory Gaultier, the top seed from France who
defeated Egypt's Marwan Elshorbagy 11-8, 11-4, 11-9.
There was better news,
however, for the Egyptian's older brother Mohamed Elshorbagy. It was
the final match of the day in a severely-delayed schedule - and it took
just 28 minutes for the No2 seed to overcome Frenchman Gregoire Marche
11-3, 11-6, 11-8.
"Started my quarter
final today at 1 45am!! and now its 2 45am and just got back to the
hotel," tweeted the world No6 later. "Glad I won in 3 though!!"
Elshorbagy senior now
faces Spaniard Borja Golan for a place in the final. The third seed was
taken the full distance before seeing off Mexican qualifier Alfredo
Avila 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6 in 85 minutes.
RESULTS: PSA International 70 Abierto Mexicano de Raquetas, Toluca, Mexico
