Gohar, El Welily Surge Into China Open Final by Nathan Clarke September 5, 2015
- Just 24 hours after knocking out former World No.1 Nicol David in the
2015 Stars On The Bund China Open, 17-year-old Egyptian talent Nouran
Gohar has booked her place in the final courtesy of a comfortable 3-0
defeat over World No.3 Camille Serme.
Gohar came from a game-down to see off Malysian star David and
continued her emphatic vein of form to dominate from the start against
2015 British Open winner Serme - taking the match 11-8, 11-9, 11-8 as
she demonstrated her world class potential on the all-glass court at
the spectacular Shanghai Peninsula.
The 2015 World Junior Champion will now take on the current reigning
World No.1, compatriot Raneem El Welily, in the showpiece finale after
the 26-year-old dispatched American Amanda Sobhy with ease, running out
an 11-5, 11-5, 11-9 winner.
In the men’s PSA M100 tournament Marwan Elshorbagy, younger brother of
World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy who suffered a shock first round exit,
upset compatriot and World No.6 Omar Mosaad to move into the biggest
final of his career to date where he will line up against World No.3
Gregory Gaultier.
In a tense and nervy affair both players pushed each other to the limit
physically and after eventually taking the fourth game to force a
decider, Mosaad felt the effects and was forced to retire midway
through the last game, ensuring Elshorbagy of his place in the
title-decider.
“That was the toughest and longest match of my career by far,” said
Elshorbagy afterwards. “Unfortunately had to end that way though.
“Being in the final of a big tournament feels great but it’s time to
recover now and refocus for a big match tomorrow against Gaultier
- I can't wait!”
Gaultier said: “All credit to Leo for how he played this week but I
played fast today to take control of the match as I knew coming all the
way from qualification and winning against top ten players would take
its toll on him.”
